The 'sixth mass extinction event' has begun, worse than forecast

The global mass extinction of animals is starting to take place and is worse than initially predicted, according to a recent study.

Scientists have recorded five major mass extinction events in the history of Earth's formation and development. There, at least three-quarters of life became extinct

Many researchers believe that the 6th mass extinction is happening, or is very close. They describe this as a period that witnessed "biological annihilation" and "the destruction of the tree of life " in scientific research.

According to Professor. Anthony Barnosky at the University of California, we are witnessing the sixth mass extinction in real time.

That's because species are now going extinct 100 to 1,000 times faster than the typical rate of extinction, calculated based on when species evolved and went extinct in the fossil record.

"I think this rate will increase as we take more actions that threaten the Earth," Professor. Anthony Barnosky said.

GS. Barnosky notes that the rate of species extinction reflects the rapid decline of that population, and does not take into account when the last individual disappears.

48% of animal populations are shrinking, according to recent research - (Photo: THE SCIENTIST).

48% of animal populations are shrinking

According to the American Museum of Natural History, a mass extinction event is typically defined as the world losing 75% of its species in a short geological period of time - less than 2.8 million years.

Previous research has determined that current extinction rates are between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher (depending on species) than the 'background' extinction rate. This has led some scientists to argue that life on Earth has entered a "sixth mass extinction event".

The assessment of a species' conservation status is based on assessments issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Of the populations and extinction risks of more than 150,300 species assessed by the IUCN, 28% are considered to be facing extinction and about 1% have been declared extinct.

According to the team's analysis, 49% of animal populations are stable, but 48% of populations are shrinking, while only 3% have populations that are increasing.

They also found evidence that 33% of species currently classified as "not threatened" on the IUCN Red List are actually on the verge of extinction.

The 6th extinction due to humans

In particular, when compared with five previous mass extinction events, researchers found that this is the first mass extinction event "due to the actions of just one species" , that is humans.

Globally, many species are in decline due to many destructive human activities. In particular are habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation, widespread use of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals, and the impact of invasive species. They are more serious than the causes of climate change.

The researchers' findings reinforce warnings that biodiversity is on the 'brink of an extinction crisis' , especially as entire ecosystems are destroyed and collapsed.

Currently, 40% of Earth's land area has been specifically modified to produce food for the growing population.

Global agriculture alone consumes 70% of the Earth's surface fresh water, and uses about 90% of deforested land.

The intertwined relationships between human food demand, climate change and biodiversity loss are placing enormous pressure on our planet.