Extirpatsioon

Extirpatsioon, an Estonian term derived from the Latin root *extirpāre* meaning “to pull out,” refers to the local extinction of a species from a particular geographic area while it remains extant elsewhere. Unlike global extinction, which marks the disappearance of a species from the Earth, extirpation indicates a regional loss that can be caused by habitat destruction, overexploitation, invasive species, disease, or climate change. The concept is significant in conservation biology because it signals a decline in biodiversity and can affect ecosystem function in the affected region.

The term is used by European conservation agencies, such as the European Environment Agency, and is often incorporated into national legislation that governs endangered species and protected habitats. In legislation, extirpated species may be granted legal protection to facilitate reintroduction or to safeguard remaining populations in other areas. Many countries maintain red lists or threat categories in which extirpation is listed as a status that may lead to conservation actions.

Examples of extirpation include the loss of the brown bear from much of Western Europe in medieval times, the removal of native trout subspecies from the Baltic Sea due to overfishing and introduction of predatory fish, and the local disappearance of the European bison in many former habitats before reintroduction programs began. In the United States, the extirpation of the gray wolf from eastern states caused significant ecological effects until recent reintroductions.

Preventing extirpation involves habitat conservation, regulation of hunting and fishing, control of invasive species, and public education. Conservationists use monitoring and modeling to predict populations at risk of local extinction and initiate timely interventions. The concept of extirpation underscores that the loss of a species from a locality can have ripple effects throughout an ecosystem, affecting predator–prey relationships, nutrient cycling, and the resilience of the environment.