Predicting the ‘6th mass extinction’, a new global catastrophe. Human threats to the environment Diversity waiting to be destroyed If you don’t turn around and pay attention and take care of…
Throughout the past 500 million years The world is like ‘house’ of all living beings, loss from ‘mass extinction’ or ‘Mass Extinction’ It has happened 5 times, and each time more than 50-90% of life on Earth has disappeared from the land, leaving only ‘evidence’ Some things for human beings to study.
But one fine day while humans were living their lives amidst the civilization that created It happened to be talked about. ‘The 6th mass extinction’ came up, things that were talked about in a narrow circle Instead, it received attention. and began to enter the mainstream Until the question arises: Or is this a countdown? Closing another chapter in the history of life on Earth?
However, the interesting aspect of this loss is It arises from the assumption that ‘human’ may be ‘Key actor’ that causes mass extinction, not ‘Natural mechanism’ The past style
Thairath Online Special News Team will take readers to get to know ‘The 6th mass extinction’ or The Sixth Mass Extinction more as well as taking you back in time to the past 5 extinction periods. through conversation with ‘Asst. Prof. Dr. Kantaphon Suraprasit’ Lecturer in the Department of Geology Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University and page owner Dom Paleoworld
However, this conversation continues. ‘Prediction’ and analyze what ‘may’ occur…
Asst. Prof. Dr. Kantaphon Suraprasit
The 6th mass extinction has begun? :
Dr. Kantaphon stated that usually mass extinction occurs. It will cause the extinction of more than 50% of all species on Earth. In the same period and all 5 times in the past The world loses more than 50% of species every time.
Mass extinction has important keywords: “Happened at the same time” It is not a combination of several periods. For example, taking 30% of the past 1 million years ago and 40% missing today cannot be combined together.
The news team asked whether the 6th mass extinction had actually begun or not?
A professor from the Department of Geology replied that in this part, no one can clearly answer when this will happen. Although each year there are species that become extinct from the hands of humans. and may be at risk But it is not yet in a state of mass extinction.
Humans = accelerator of extinction:
Asst. Prof. Dr. Kantapon said that the main idea that people have written about the sixth mass extinction is that if living things are allowed to take their natural course, Mass extinction isn’t happening anytime soon. But when there is human influence since the Industrial Revolution, It made everything change.
We call this era ‘Anthropocene’ (Anthropocene), which is the informal name used to refer to a geological period. It refers to a period of time not too long ago. that human existence, activities, and behavior causing a significant impact on the world’s ecosystems
From the beginning, nature controlled all mechanisms. But after the world entered the Anthropocene era Humans also have more influence and roles. Therefore, life that will occur in the future Survival mechanisms will depend not only on nature but also on humans.
Moreover, humans are the catalyst that causes climate change. making it inconsistent with natural processes such as the release of greenhouse gases Causing the global temperature to change even by just 1-2 degrees, it will affect many species of living things. In addition, good medical technology Make human life longer to the point where resources may be used more than necessary and go against nature
“So it gives rise to the idea that If not preserved Will lead to the 6th mass extinction, which is predicted to be faster than usual for sure. But I still can’t answer exactly when.” Dr. Kantapon said.
Past mass extinctions:
Throughout the past 500 million years Scientists discovered that The world has experienced five mass extinctions, each time killing more than half of all living species. of that moment disappeared. By a lecturer in the Department of Geology Chulalongkorn University Lecture. Summary content for each time as follows:
first extinction happened when End of the Ordovician period About 445 million years ago At that time, most living things lived in the oceans. This extinction It is caused by the onset of a severe ice age. causing the sea level to drop suddenly Followed by a period of sudden global warming. The sea level is changing again. Over 60-70% of all living species at that time were extinct.
The next time occurred during Late Devonian period About 375-360 million years ago The cause of this extinction It may be the result of various factors, such as violent volcanic eruptions in Siberia. Causes the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. and global warming occurs Volcanic ash blocks sunlight The world has been in a state of darkness for a long time. Plants were unable to photosynthesize, oxygen was reduced, and more than 75% of species were lost.
When it arrived approximately 252 million years ago End of the Permian period The world is facing its most severe extinction yet, with more than 95% of all species currently disappearing. This event is known as The great extinction. Some scientists believe that This extinction was caused by many factors, including the impact of a meteorite hitting the Earth. and violent volcanic eruptions
The fourth mass extinction occurred during End of the Triassic period About 200 million years ago movement of tectonic plates ‘Pangaea’ Causing volcanic eruptions along the edge of the tectonic plates. This results in the release of enormous amounts of carbon dioxide. Global warming occurs And there is also evidence of a meteorite hitting the earth, causing 70-80% of living things to become extinct, such as many species of dinosaurs. Including small vertebrates similar to eels named ‘Conodont’
and the 5th time about 66 million years ago during Between the boundaries of the Cretaceous period with the Paleogene era Meteorite larger than 10 km hits the earth. Boom!!! Area of present-day Mexico There is also a violent volcanic eruption. Make the great kingdom of dinosaurs shut down. But it is a golden opportunity for mammals. has formed Until humans were born
In addition to that during the ice age (Ice Age) About 12,000 years ago, there was an event close to mass extinction called Megafauna extinction, an event in which some large groups of living things disappeared, such as mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, etc., but during this period there was still Not classified as a mass extinction. Because the only animals that disappeared were species that humans hunted. and species that cannot withstand sudden changes in climate
Can humans survive? If there is no variety:
And if there is a mass extinction But there are still humans left on earth. Can we survive? If there is no biodiversity?
Professor Kantaphon Express your opinion on this question: If one day many living things become extinct, on that day humans must ask themselves: “Is it necessary to use natural resources?” If it is not necessary to use Can live without other living things. But we won’t see ‘nature’ real world Wherever you walk, you meet only your own species.
“But I believe that at that time, if there was a mass extinction event What remains with humans are viruses. Because we can’t get rid of it. And they will be the ones controlling the human population.”
Geology teacher Give your opinion further. Even though I think If there were no other living things Human beings can still survive. But if spoken frankly I don’t think we can. ‘Survive’ It is the only species on earth.
Ultimately, we have to rely on other ecosystems. Our ancestors evolved to allow humans to survive on food. But if there is no food or food producer that comes from a variety of living things We might be bad. Unless in the future Humans will genetically modify themselves. Let the body not need food
Extinction is natural selection:
The news team asked if it was true or not, each time there was an extinction. including mass extinction It’s all natural selection. And is there anything else we need to understand?
Dr. Kantaphon replied: It’s 100% true, and if you answer like a scientist, say it honestly, ‘natural selection’ has only advantages and no disadvantages. But it must be emphasized that “It has to happen naturally.”
That said Because animals or living things evolve to compete with each other. Until it became a very high diversity. But when it comes to a certain time Nature creates mechanisms and situations. Some groups of living things are unable to adapt. and finally disappeared
“When it’s gone The formerly ruled areas will be empty. This gives animals that survive extinction a chance to ’emerge’, dominate, breed and evolve diversity. within its own family circle.”
Dr. Kantaphon compares the above matters. with the emergence of ‘human’ To easily understand that in the era of ‘dinosaur’ No human beings have arisen yet. At that time our ancestors came from a group that resembled monkeys. It is a mammal that has to escape from the dinosaurs. Or burrowing in holes, so if there was no fifth mass extinction, there would probably be no humans on Earth.
And in the future, do humans have the right to become extinct from this world?
“It is possible. But from what reason? As of now, no one has been able to answer. It may be caused by the technology we have developed. Even though someone said No one is above nature. But I secretly thought about it a little. that we are still above nature Because we have the potential to survive from nature. Suppose that one day a meteorite would hit the earth like in the movies. I believe that day We probably have a way to change its direction so it doesn’t crash into the world. which is to go against nature.”
Must live together with nature Not supernatural:
Although Dr. Kantapon expressed his overall opinion that “Massive extinction It probably won’t happen anytime soon.” But still shows concern for the world’s ecosystem. that every human should hurry to pay attention and take care of
Dr. Kantapon stated that normally, diversity will decrease. It takes millions of years or hundreds of millions of years. But now it’s only a short period of time, about 100-200 years after humans began the industrial revolution. Many living things have become extinct. Therefore, we have destroyed many of our fellow creatures. It’s time to conserve. We and nature must move forward together. We are not above nature.
I want humans to think that Even the extinction of a single species can have an impact. Because that species may affect human food production. Affects the ecosystem Or that species may be Keystone Species (the key to the heart of the ecosystem) that play a high role in the ecosystem. If it disappears, it may all be destroyed.
“Currently, no country wants its animals to become extinct. It is considered a good sign that shows that Humans already know that all past We do not live in harmony with nature. But we go against nature.“
Asst. Prof. Dr. Kantaphon Suraprasit In conclusion, he said that in conclusionThe sixth mass extinction is likely to occur in the future, however, if there is no natural mechanism such as a meteorite hitting the Earth. Major natural disasters, etc., are still nothing to worry about. But if humans still don’t care about the environment That action may be ‘Key factors’ that accelerate losses From a long time it will happen faster.
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2024-01-06 00:07:00
