The Nearest Mass Extinction
Yogyakarta, Kompas-The experts predict the world was facing the threat of extinction of biodiversity in bulk. This allegation comes from a biodiversity crisis more severe. It is estimated that currently as many as 50-150 species become extinct every day Earth.
This estimate is based on the projected rate of extinction is happening now. Projection is mentioned about 50% of the approximately ten million species today predicted there will be extinct within 100 years.
The rate of species extinction today beragan reach 40-400 times the rate of extinction 500 years ago, said Ign. Pramana Yuda, researchers Tehno-Atmajaya Biology from the University of Yogyakarta, in the scientific Dies Natalis speech to the 44 universities in Yogyakarta, two Friday in October.
The rate of extinction of birds and mammals between 1600 and 1975, for example, has been estimated at 5-50 times the rate of extinction before. Not only the species, also threatens the extinction of genes and ecosystems where these species live.
According to pramana, Indonesia is one region that has the greatest extinction threat. Tropical forest ecosystems decreased 10 million - 20 million hectares each year. As many as 70% of coral reefs in Indonesia also suffered damage from moderate to severe. Damage also occurred in a number of Indonesia's unique ecosystems, such as mangrove forests, rivers, lakes and agricultural areas.
Pramana said that this time the damage occurred on a scale far larger and faster speed compared with the five mass extinctions that have occurred on Earth before. Recent mass extinction occurred about 65 million years ago.
The extent of the scale of this mass extinction can be seen from the number of extinct species and the more short-age of a species survival. Current age less than 35,000 species of years while millions of years ago a species can be 10 million years old.
The magnitude of this extinction scale should be suppressed because a bad result and impact on the survival of life on earth. One of the damping effort is to foster cross-species solidarity is still very minimal. During the development of science and technology is more oriented to the welfare of mankind.
According Pramana, the education sector is very important role in this regard. Academic community needs to begin to develop programs and educational curriculum and the preservation of which refers to the conservation of biodiversity.
Biodiversity researcher at the University of Christian Discourse, Yogyakarta, Djoko Raharjo, argued, extinction is happening now can not be called natural because it is triggered by various causes, among others-made pollution, overexploitation of natural resources and industrialization.
Although already very bad, in fact there is still much we can do to muffle the natural rate, he said.
Findings at various conservation areas provide new hope in the conservation field. Communities can also contribute by pressing the use of the material energy and reduce consumption of mines that can cause pollution and excessive exploitation of nature.