Solved: Experts estimate that human activities cause the

Chapter 0, Problem 11

(choose chapter or problem)

Experts estimate that human activities cause the extinction of hundreds ofspecies every year. In contrast, the natural rate of extinction is thought to average only a few species per year. If we continue to alter the global environment, especially by destroying tropical rain forests and altering Earth's climate, the likely result will be a wave of extinctions that could rival those at the end ofthe Cretaceous period. Considering that life has endured five mass extinctions, should we be concerned that we may cause a sixth mass extinction? How would such an extinction differ from previous extinctions? \Xfhat might be some ofthe consequences for the surviving species, including ourselves?