Extinct Species

Extinct species are those species that no longer exist on Earth. They are the species that have been wiped out completely from the planet. Extinction may occur naturally due to environmental changes, geological events, or human activities like hunting, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. Extinction of a species is a very natural process but the rate of extinction has increased dramatically due to various human activities.

Examples of extinct species are the dodo bird, Tasmanian tiger, passenger pigeon, and woolly mammoth. Extinct species are usually identified through fossil records, which provide evidence of the existence of a species that is no longer living.

Reasons for extinction:

1. Human activities: Hunting, habitat destruction, deforestation, pollution, and climate change are the major reasons for the extinction of species.

2. Natural disasters: Natural disasters like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, and droughts can cause the extinction of species.

3. Invasive species: Introduction of non-native species into an ecosystem can cause the extinction of native species.

4. Genetic factors: Genetic factors like inbreeding, genetic drift, and mutation can also cause the extinction of species.

Conservation measures:

1. Habitat restoration: Restoration of degraded habitats can help in the conservation of species.

2. Captive breeding: Captive breeding is a process of breeding endangered species in captivity to increase their population.

3. Wildlife corridors: Wildlife corridors are the strips of land that connect fragmented habitats, allowing the movement of species from one habitat to another.

4. Laws and regulations: Laws and regulations like the Endangered Species Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) can help in the conservation of species.

Conclusion:

Extinction of species is a natural process but the rate of extinction has increased dramatically due to various human activities. Conservation measures are necessary to prevent the extinction of species and to maintain the biodiversity of the planet.