The mass extinction of species is normal in the course of life on Earth, so far there have been five of them, the last one which ended with three-quarters of the "population" on the planet; which included the dinosaurs. This phenomenon had always taken for own causes of the changing environment (climate change) or accidents of nature (super volcanoes, meteorites); however, the world is facing a possible new mass extinction, because now human.
According to a study released by an international group of researchers, human intervention in the habitat of different species, as well as his predatory relationship with some of them, has led to an acceleration in its lifetime; which means that their stay on Earth has been shortened. They mention that 322 vertebrate species have disappeared in the last 500 years, while the side of the invertebrates, its population halved in a period of 35 years; thereof in which the number of humans doubled. This has been called: defaunation of the Anthropocene.
As you can see, the problem affects both the larger species (mammals such as pandas and tigers) and the minor (insects, molluscs, worms and other); which eventually will cause an imbalance in the ecosystem, ironically, this will affect human health.
When human density is high, high rates of defaunation, high incidence of rodents and therefore high levels of pathogens is obtained, which increases the risk of disease transmission. Who would have thought that would only defaunation all these serious consequences?
This in the words of Rodolfo Dirzo of Stanford University, one of those responsible for the investigation.
To prevent this and a "retreat" to extinction, has raised a species substitution, as mentioned by the zoologist Philip Sheddon. That is, inserting a species with characteristics similar to a now defunct processes, to fulfill the functions of it and not be given the imbalance mentioned. Also arises in the future, using technology to "revive" the original species; though still arises what should be released and where to return.
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