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by Milk Man on October 15th, 2005

Milk Man

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When a species goes extinct, are other species always affected?

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  • by RedJohn on October 15th, 2005

    RedJohn

    Absolutely, we are all interdependent on one another. The affect might be or seem relatively minor, but all such changes produce dislocations.

    Let's take the example of a plant becoming extinct. It probably provided food for certain animals and / or insects. If one of them was completely dependent on the plant as a food source, they also would become extinct unless they could adapt quickly. The animals that ate the plant also become the food of other animals further up the food chain. The decaying plant material provides food for smaller organisms, microbes, yeasts, molds, etc. Many of these are highly specialized and are directly affected when their food source is eliminated. The plant may have had a symbiotic relationship with another organism.

    This process occurs constantly around us as a natural part of life. However, external influences can produce significant dislocations - mankind being one of those external influences. When we are responsible for the termination of a species, through pollution, overhunting, habitat loss, or any other reason, we diminish the world in which we live.

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