6th Mass Extinction – Holocene Extinction

The Holocene extinction is also known as the 6th mass extinction. It is characterized by the massive extinction of biodiversity due to human activities. It is an ongoing process that began around 11,700 years ago.

According to scientists, we are currently in the middle of Holocene extinction. Understanding and addressing the causes of the Holocene extinction is crucial for the long-term health of ecosystems and the well-being of the planet.

Holocene Extinction?

The Holocene Extinction is the 6th mass extinction in the 4.5 billion-year history of the Earth. It is marked by a remarkable decrease in the diversity of the species on Earth. It started approximately 10000 years ago and is still ongoing.

The major Holocene extinction causes are human activities such as deforestation for construction and agricultural activities, overexploitation of resources, the introduction of invasive species (such species that are not native to an area), and many such developmental works.

What is Mass Extinction?

A mass extinction refers to a short period of geological time in which a very high percentage of biodiversity, or distinct species including bacteria, amphibians, fish, fungi, plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates die in very high numbers. Here, it is important to note that a “short” period in geological time consists of thousands or millions of years.

Extinctions are a part of the evolution process, which occur naturally and periodically and there is a background rate at which the extinctions occur. But in mass extinction events, the extinction rate is much higher than normal. In a mass extinction, at least 75% of species go extinct within a relatively (by geological standards) short period.

Holocene Extinction Timeline

Our planet has experienced five major mass extinctions events in the past. These extinctions were termed as:

• End Ordovician (444 million years ago)
• Late Devonian (360 million years ago)
• End Permian (250 million years ago)
• End Triassic (200 million years ago)
• End Cretaceous (65 million years ago)

Extinction Event	Age(million years ago)	Percentage of Species lost	Causes of extinction
End Ordovician	444	86%	The intense melting of glaciers created strong tides in the ocean and destroyed as well as moved the shoreline. The tectonic uplift of the Appalachian mountains created lots of weathering, sequestration of carbon dioxide, and with it, changes in climate and ocean chemistry.
Late Devonian	360	75%	Due to the rapid growth and diversification of land plants, there was the generation of rapid and severe global cooling.
End Permian	250	96%	Intense volcanic activity in Siberia. This caused global warming. High carbon dioxide and sulphur levels due to this volcanic activity led to acidification of the ocean, acid rain, and other chemical changes in the land as well as the ocean.
End Triassic	200	80%	Underwater volcanic activity in the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) caused global warming. Due to this, there was a drastic change in the chemical composition of the oceans.
End Cretaceous	65	76%	Asteroid impact in Yucatán, Mexico. It resulted in a global cataclysm and rapid cooling. Some changes may have already pre-dated this asteroid, with intense volcanic activity and tectonic uplift. Wiped off the Dinosaurs.

Human Activity in Holocene Extinction

The cause of the sixth mass extinction is not a natural phenomenon as was in the case of the last five mass extinctions, instead, it is majorly driven by human activity. Humans are exploiting land, water, and energy resources. The impact of human activity is directly seen on nature and organisms belonging to other important species.

Activities such as agriculture which involves the conversion of forests into agriculturally suitable land have caused 90% of global deforestation. It also requires almost 70% of the planet’s freshwater use. Thus, this destroys the habitat of the species living in that place. Food production and consumption activities are one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions as well. Global warming caused by these greenhouse gases is causing severe climate changes leading to conditions of severe drought and intense storms.

Results of Holocene Extinction

As all the species are interconnected through the food web, the extinction of any species will affect the food web. The Holocene period led to the loss of animal species from ecological communities and defaunation which resulted in empty forests, depletion of large vertebrates from the ecological communities, etc.

The population of big cats has decreased severely in the past half-century and may face extinction in the coming decades. This period led to a shift in the co-occurrence of communities which is found in the recent work.

This period has led to the extinction of the Dodo bird, Sea otters, Mountain deer, Bison, Mammoth, Great auk, Steller’s sea cow, and many more species. The extinction rate of this period is very high as compared to the last five mass extinctions and if it remains the same there will be many species that will become extinct in the future.

Can Holocene Extinction be Stopped?

If we want to reduce the impacts of human activities on biodiversity then major actions are to be taken as soon as possible. Though we cannot completely stop this extinction, surely we can reduce our contribution to it. Our efforts will delay the extinction process by a few years.

We can work to find activities that will help in decreasing pollution, deforestation, emission of harmful gases and particulate matter, reduce construction, etc. The governments of different countries have signed different agreements for this, the Paris Agreement is one such example under which they have decided to decrease carbon emissions which will help in reducing global warming.

Conclusion – Holocene Extinction

Thus, it can be concluded that humans cannot escape from the effects of Holocene Extinction as their activities are majorly responsible for it. We are in the middle of the Holocene Extinction and if we want to reduce the rate of extinction then we have to take major steps towards finding alternatives for our activities. We need to reduce the pollution and construction activities which are increasing in the name of development. The effects of the Holocene Extinction are visible as many species are getting extinct. So, we need to take the right steps if we have to save our planet.

FAQs on Holocene Extinction

Can the Holocene extinction be Considered a Critical Extinction?

The Holocene can be considered a critical extinction because it is the 6th major extinction leading to the destruction of the habitat of the species, thus taking them toward extinction. We are currently in the middle of this mass extinction and it is rapidly increasing.

Name the Animals, Birds, or Plants that became Extinct during the Holocene Period.

Mountain deer, Bison, Mammoth, Great auk, and Steller’s sea cow are some of the animals that became extinct during this period. The Dodo bird of Mauritius went extinct because rats and pigs inhabited the area due to human intervention.

When did the Holocene Extinction Start?

It is estimated to start approximately 12000 years ago. And its rate is much higher than the earlier mass extinction events.

Will the Holocene be a Threat to Civilization?

Yes, it may be among the most dangerous environmental threats to the existence of civilization. It may lead to serious health and other harmful problems among the individuals of the civilization.

Does Extinction have Types?

Yes, extinction is of two types. These types are Mass Extinction and Background extinction. Among these Mass Extinction is the most destructive.

What are the 5 Extinctions?

The 5 Extinctions are- End Ordovician (444 million years ago), Late Devonian (360 million years ago), End Permian (250 million years ago), End Triassic (200 million years ago), and End Cretaceous (65 million years ago) .