Extinção

Extinção refers to the complete disappearance of a species from Earth. This occurs when the last individual of a species dies, and there are no more of its kind left to reproduce. Extinction is a natural process that has occurred throughout Earth's history, with many species evolving and eventually dying out.

There are two main types of extinction: background extinction and mass extinction. Background extinction is the slow, ongoing extinction of individual species due to environmental changes or competition. Mass extinctions are much rarer but more catastrophic events, where a large percentage of species on Earth disappear in a relatively short geological time period. Major mass extinctions have been linked to events like asteroid impacts, volcanic activity, and climate change.

The causes of extinction are varied. Habitat loss and fragmentation, due to human activities like deforestation and urbanization, are major drivers of modern extinction events. Other significant factors include pollution, overhunting and overfishing, the introduction of invasive species, and climate change. The loss of biodiversity resulting from extinction can have profound impacts on ecosystems, disrupting food webs and essential ecological processes. Scientists study fossils and current biodiversity to understand extinction patterns and to identify species at risk. Conservation efforts aim to prevent further extinctions by protecting habitats and species.