Extinction

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses that fact that the ability of a species to survive the extinction of another, depends on its ability to adapt. The paper continues and states that omnivores fair better than those with a limited range of food because if a single food source disappears from the environment, it can more easily find another suitable food source. More highly specialized members of the ecosystem will not be able to substitute food as those that can eat a variety of food. The paper details that the extinction of a single food species will quickly follow the elimination of their major food source. The paper supports the thesis that non-random species loss will have a more devastating effect on the community and than random species loss.

Outline:
Research Methods and Extinction
The Example of Plants and Avian Species
Conclusions

From the Paper:

" In order to understand the extent and severity of the current crisis that we are facing regarding the rapid decline in bird species, we must look to past extinction events. Geochemical analysis is often used in conjunction with paleontological data in order to examine past extinctions more closely (Martin, 2007). Fossil evidence analyzed in this manner demonstrates that increasing oxygen levels increases the number of species as well. As oxygen levels decrease, the number of species in the fossil record decreases as well."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Courchamp, F., Angulo, E., Rivalan, P., Hall, R., Signoret, L., Bull, L., and Meinard, T. "Rarity Value and Species Extinction: The Anthropogenic Allee Effect." PLOS Biology Journal. p. 1. http://biology.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get- document&doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0040415. Accessed June 15, 2007.
• Drake, J. "Density-Dependent Demographic Variation Determines Extinction Rate of Experimental Populations." PLOS Biology Journal. p. 1. . http://biology.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get- document&doi=10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.0030222. Accessed June 15, 2007.
• Lin, A., Mann, B., Torres-Oviedo, G., Lincoln, B., Kas, J., and Swinney, H. Localization and Extinction of Bacterial Populations under Inhomogeneous Growth Conditions. Biophysical Journal. 2004. vol. 87 pp. 75-80
• Martin, K. A re-evaluation of the relationship between trace fossils and dysoxia. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2004; vol. 228. No. 1, pp. 141 - 156.
• Schlapper, F., Pfister, A., and Schmid, B. Non-random species extinction and plant production: implications for ecosystem functioning. Journal of Applied Ecology. 2005. Vol. 42. pp. 13-24.

More papers on Extinction:

• Book Review # 95923 : "Extinction"--A Book Review"
• Term Paper # 117384 : "Anxiety Disorders and Extinction"
• Persuasive Essay # 148373 : "Mass Extinction"

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