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Threats to Biodiversity01:50

Threats to Biodiversity

There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
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Human civilization relies on biodiversity in many ways. Sudden changes in species biodiversity result in environmental changes that can modify weather patterns and therefore human civilizations.
The Evidence for Evolution02:55

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Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.The collection of fossils within sedimentary rocks give a record of common ancestry and often depicts the history of evolution.
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The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
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Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...

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Designing Automated, High-throughput, Continuous Cell Growth Experiments Using eVOLVER
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Humans as the world's greatest evolutionary force.

S R Palumbi1

  • 1Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. spalumbi@oeb.harvard.edu

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 8, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Human activities accelerate species evolution, leading to significant economic costs from drug and pesticide resistance. Applying evolutionary principles can mitigate these impacts in pest and disease management.

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Human population growth and technological advancements significantly impact global ecology.
  • Accelerated evolution is observed in various organisms, including pests, pathogens, and commercially important species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the evolutionary consequences of human activities on other species.
  • To quantify the economic impact of accelerated evolution.
  • To demonstrate the utility of applied evolutionary principles in managing pests and diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of documented cases of accelerated evolution.
  • Economic assessment of costs associated with resistance and adaptation.
  • Review of successful applications of evolutionary principles in management strategies.

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Main Results:

  • Accelerated evolution is evident in antibiotic and HIV resistance, pesticide resistance in plants and insects, invasive species dynamics, fisheries, and pest adaptation to biological controls.
  • The economic cost of accelerated evolution in the United States is estimated at $33 billion to $50 billion annually.
  • Management strategies that slow or control evolutionary "arms races" have proven effective.

Conclusions:

  • Human-induced ecological changes drive rapid evolution in other species.
  • Applied evolutionary biology offers practical solutions to reduce the negative impacts of human activities on evolution.
  • Effective management of pests and diseases can be achieved by understanding and applying evolutionary principles.