Extinction Rates Have Slowed Across Many Plant and Animal Groups
A new study reveals that extinction rates in plants, arthropods, and land vertebrates have peaked around 100 years ago and have declined since then.
Previous studies suggested that the planet is currently experiencing a mass extinction, with rapidly accelerating extinction rates. However, the new research led by scientists at the University of Arizona offers a more positive perspective.
‘We show that extinction rates are not getting faster towards the present, as many people claim, but instead peaked many decades ago,’ said Wiens.
Researchers found that past extinctions were mostly caused by invasive species on islands, rather than by today’s most significant threat to wildlife — the destruction of natural habitats.
The study's findings are based on evidence from extinctions in the past 500 years.
Author's summary: Extinction rates slowed down across many species groups.