Links for information about extinctions
Yangtze River dolphin, Lipotes vexillifer, commonly called baiji, considered gone forever.
“It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English—up to fifty words used in correct context—no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese.”
~Carl Sagan
A
Fellow Mammal Leaves the Planet December 26, 2006
Yangtze dolphin extinct August 8, 2007
Dolphin brain function similar to human January 3, 2010
The Zoological Society of London has announced a campaign to help prevent
the extinctions of EDGE species:
Possibly the most comprehensive listing of links to sites about extinctions available.
Earth Witness Community
Invites people to tell about natural habitat that no longer exists, lists extinct species.
Committee on Recently Extinct Organisms
“CREO was developed in recognition of the value of comprehensive and reliable extinction data for use by researchers in systematics and conservation at the American Museum of Natural History and at other institutions around the world.”
Extinct Animal
“Learn about prehistoric and recently extinct species of animals, and some of their stories.” Includes profiles on prehistoric, extinct, and endangered species.
Color-coded charts and graphs explain pre-historic and historic (1650 to present) extinctions
The Typewrtten Book of the Not-So-Grateful Dead
Entertaining essays about specific recently-extinct species. The ivory-billed woodpecker has been found again since this essay was written.
Photos of 11 extinct animals
10 animals on the brink of extinction
Global ecosystems ‘face collapse’ October 24, 2006
Greater demand for land is threatening species’ long-term survival. Current global consumption levels could result in a large-scale ecosystem collapse by the middle of the century, environmental group WWF has warned. “To deliver a shift towards a ‘sustainable society’ scenario would require ‘significant action now’ on issues such as energy generation, transport and housing.”
Mass extinction rate ‘faster than dinosaurs’ May 2, 2006
The Sixth Great Extinction March 2, 2004
The Sixth Extinction by Dr. Niles Eldredge June 2001
“Though it is true that life, so incredibly resilient, has always recovered (though after long lags) after major extinction spasms, it is only after whatever has caused the extinction event has dissipated. That cause, in the case of the Sixth Extinction, is ourselves — Homo sapiens. This means we can continue on the path to our own extinction, or, preferably, we modify our behavior toward the global ecosystem of which we are still very much a part. The latter must happen before the Sixth Extinction can be declared over, and life can once again rebound.”
“Working at the intersection of environment and human needs.”
Includes many environmental issues, including extinctions.
A Multispecies Overkill Simulation of the End-Pleistocene Megafaunal Mass Extinction (PDF)
by John Alroy Published in Science June 8, 2001
Why Did Mammoths and Mastodons Become Extinct?
Two major arguments about the causes of extinctions.
Humans Might Have Wiped Out Wild Horses
Climate Change, Not Humans, Killed Large Beasts
Ancient people sparked die-offs down under. January 9, 1999
Giant kangaroo likely killed off by humans Dec. 26, 2006
Researchers: Giant, prehistoric animals in Australia likely driven to extinction by humans December 26. 2006
Marine Life Leaped From Simple to Complex After Greatest Mass Extinction November 26, 2006
Return to Related Links
Yangtze dolphin extinct August 8, 2007
Dolphin brain function similar to human January 3, 2010
The Zoological Society of London has announced a campaign to help prevent
the extinctions of EDGE species:
Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered.
The slender loris or vangu, a shy nocturnal primate. Loris tardigradus malabaricus
Articles abour the EDGE campaign: The
Gaurdian MSNBC
January 16, 2007
Rare
Soundscapes of Vanishing Habitats
Listen to sounds from rainforests.
Sites about extinctions:
Mass Extinction UnderwayPossibly the most comprehensive listing of links to sites about extinctions available.
Earth Witness Community
Invites people to tell about natural habitat that no longer exists, lists extinct species.
Committee on Recently Extinct Organisms
“CREO was developed in recognition of the value of comprehensive and reliable extinction data for use by researchers in systematics and conservation at the American Museum of Natural History and at other institutions around the world.”
Extinct Animal
“Learn about prehistoric and recently extinct species of animals, and some of their stories.” Includes profiles on prehistoric, extinct, and endangered species.
Lists of extinct species
N.C. Heywood‘s research on extinctionsColor-coded charts and graphs explain pre-historic and historic (1650 to present) extinctions
The Typewrtten Book of the Not-So-Grateful Dead
Entertaining essays about specific recently-extinct species. The ivory-billed woodpecker has been found again since this essay was written.
Photos of 11 extinct animals
10 animals on the brink of extinction
Articles:
Climate change causing extinctions October 8, 2008Global ecosystems ‘face collapse’ October 24, 2006
Greater demand for land is threatening species’ long-term survival. Current global consumption levels could result in a large-scale ecosystem collapse by the middle of the century, environmental group WWF has warned. “To deliver a shift towards a ‘sustainable society’ scenario would require ‘significant action now’ on issues such as energy generation, transport and housing.”
Mass extinction rate ‘faster than dinosaurs’ May 2, 2006
The Sixth Great Extinction March 2, 2004
The Sixth Extinction by Dr. Niles Eldredge June 2001
“Though it is true that life, so incredibly resilient, has always recovered (though after long lags) after major extinction spasms, it is only after whatever has caused the extinction event has dissipated. That cause, in the case of the Sixth Extinction, is ourselves — Homo sapiens. This means we can continue on the path to our own extinction, or, preferably, we modify our behavior toward the global ecosystem of which we are still very much a part. The latter must happen before the Sixth Extinction can be declared over, and life can once again rebound.”
Resources for current extinctions
The World Resources Institute“Working at the intersection of environment and human needs.”
Includes many environmental issues, including extinctions.
North American extinctions after invasion by Homo sapiens:
Overkill hypothesisA Multispecies Overkill Simulation of the End-Pleistocene Megafaunal Mass Extinction (PDF)
by John Alroy Published in Science June 8, 2001
Why Did Mammoths and Mastodons Become Extinct?
Two major arguments about the causes of extinctions.
Humans Might Have Wiped Out Wild Horses
Climate Change, Not Humans, Killed Large Beasts
Australian extinctions after invasion by Homo sapiens:
Half-million year fossil record exonerates climate change as cause of megafauna extinction December 22, 2006Ancient people sparked die-offs down under. January 9, 1999
Giant kangaroo likely killed off by humans Dec. 26, 2006
Researchers: Giant, prehistoric animals in Australia likely driven to extinction by humans December 26. 2006
Previous mass extinctions:
Fifth Worst Mass Extinction Linked to Asteroid Impact May 11, 2001Marine Life Leaped From Simple to Complex After Greatest Mass Extinction November 26, 2006