To: Father Terrence who wrote (52040 ) 8/19/1999 12:59:00 AM From: jbe Read Replies (2) | Respond to
99% or 66%? There seems to be quite a range of opinion on this subject. Estimates calculated from the fossil record suggest that 1 to 3 billion species have existed since the beginning of life-somewhere between 3 and 30 million species exist today-therefore >99% of all species that have ever existed are extinct-all species go extinct eventually; the average fossil species lasted a few million years-the rate of origination slightly exceeds the rate of extinction (by less than 1%), which accounts for the existence of life through time. earth.rochester.edu Extinction is a natural process and some two-thirds of all animal species that existed have become extinct. Recent extinctions, however, are occurring at an unprecedented rate, and most not from natural processes, but as a result of human activity. Hunting, destruction of habitat, pollution, systematic extermination, introduction of foreign species and disease are the engines of extinction. It is predicted that by the 21st century 100 species will disappear daily. nimidi.amnh.org animal species. Don't know whether they would say the same for plant species.
