Extinction is a phenomenon characterized by the death and extermination of given species of fauna or flora due to anthropogenic or natural factors prevailing in a given setup. The condition is synonymous with the endangered species that exist on the earth. Extinction is also echoed when the available species have no capacity to reproduce members of their own kind. The gene pool of such a species is said to be “fixed.”
Examples of Most Recent Species
Extinction began long ago where animals such as the dinosaurs could not stand the test of time as a result of the hostile environment that prevailed in the immediate environment. Some of the most recent species of animals that have come to an abrupt decimation are the white rhino, West African Black rhinos, Passenger pigeon, Pyrenean ibex, Quagga, Caribbean Monk Seal, the Sea Mink, Tasmanian Tiger, Tecopa pupfish, Great Auk, the tiger of the Java region, and Bubal hartebeest.
Causes
Extinction is exacerbated by factors such as poaching, and predation. Natural disasters which cause bottlenecks like volcanic eruptions or the plate tectonic movement that result in the isolation so some species. Indiscriminate gaming activity by humans is one of the chief sources of extinction. The high demand for the game wares result in the massive harvest of the available species and hence the extinction.
Consequences
The extinction process has detrimental effects on the environment since it offsets the natural balance of nature. Any ecological imbalance results in the lack of food for some species. Some crucial ecological processes that facilitate the recycling of nutrients are inhibited as a result of the death of vital microorganisms living in the soil. The interruption of the food chain affect all the animals in every niche. Some ecological generalist cannot survive in a given surrounding. Such animal die out due to lack of essential nutrition.
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