Extinction selectivity

Definition

Extinction selectivity refers to the patterns and factors that determine which species are more likely to go extinct during a mass extinction event. This concept highlights that not all species are equally vulnerable; some possess traits that make them more resilient while others may be more susceptible to environmental changes or catastrophic events. Understanding extinction selectivity is crucial to deciphering the dynamics of biodiversity loss and recovery after an extinction event, especially in the context of specific geological periods.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During the Late Devonian extinction, around 75% of marine species went extinct, showcasing notable extinction selectivity based on ecological and biological factors.
2. Many of the affected species were primarily shallow-water organisms, while deeper-water species showed higher survival rates, illustrating how habitat played a role in extinction selectivity.
3. Extinction selectivity is influenced by life history traits such as reproductive strategies and adaptability, with some species demonstrating resilience against the environmental changes of the Late Devonian period.
4. The Late Devonian extinction was marked by a series of events, including anoxia in oceans and climate fluctuations, which differentially affected organisms based on their ecological niches.
5. Understanding extinction selectivity during the Late Devonian can provide insights into current biodiversity crises, as it reveals how certain traits can buffer species against extinction pressures.

Review Questions

• How does extinction selectivity inform our understanding of which species were most affected during the Late Devonian extinction?
  • Extinction selectivity sheds light on why certain species went extinct while others survived during the Late Devonian extinction. Factors such as habitat preference and physiological traits played a critical role in determining survival rates. For instance, many shallow-water marine organisms faced greater risks due to their reliance on stable environments that were disrupted during this time.
• Evaluate the importance of biological resilience in the context of extinction selectivity during mass extinction events like the Late Devonian.
  • Biological resilience is vital in understanding extinction selectivity because it determines how well species can adapt to environmental changes. During the Late Devonian extinction, species with high resilience could withstand severe conditions like anoxic events. This led to differential survival rates, highlighting that those with adaptive traits were less likely to succumb to extinction pressures compared to their more vulnerable counterparts.
• Analyze how recognizing patterns of extinction selectivity during historical events can influence current conservation strategies.
  • Recognizing patterns of extinction selectivity from historical events like the Late Devonian provides valuable lessons for contemporary conservation efforts. By understanding which traits contribute to a species' resilience against environmental stressors, conservationists can prioritize protecting those characteristics in threatened species today. Moreover, this analysis can help predict future vulnerabilities within ecosystems, guiding proactive measures to prevent further biodiversity loss.

Related terms

mass extinction:

A widespread and rapid decrease in biodiversity on Earth, characterized by the extinction of a large number of species in a relatively short period of geological time.

biological resilience: The capacity of an ecosystem or species to recover from disturbances or stressors, allowing it to maintain its structure and function despite changes.

environmental stressors: Factors such as climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, or invasive species that can negatively impact ecosystems and lead to species decline or extinction.