Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

43.6K
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.
43.6K
Evolutionary Psychology01:20

Evolutionary Psychology

396
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...
396
What is Evolutionary History?02:35

What is Evolutionary History?

39.6K
Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.
39.6K
The Fossil Record02:56

The Fossil Record

25.4K
The fossil record documents only a small fraction of all organisms that have ever inhabited Earth. Fossilization is a rare process, and most organisms never become fossils. Moreover, the fossil record only exhibits fossils that have been discovered. Nevertheless, sedimentary rock fossils of long-lived, abundant, hard-bodied organisms dominate the fossil record. These fossils offer valuable information, such as an organism's physical form, behavior, and age. Studying the fossil record helps...
25.4K
The Tree of Life - Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryotes02:40

The Tree of Life - Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryotes

33.6K
The “tree of life” describes the evolution of life and the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The root of the tree is the common ancestor to all life on Earth. All other species radiate from this point, much like the branches of a tree. The numerous tips of these branches on the tree of life represent every living, or extant, species. Extinct species, which are species that no longer exist, can be found towards the center of the tree. Currently, these organisms, both...
33.6K
Characteristics of Life01:23

Characteristics of Life

236.1K
Biology is a natural science that studies life and living organisms, including their structure, function, development, interactions, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. The field's scope is extensive and divided into several specialized disciplines, such as anatomy, physiology, ethology, genetics, and many more. All living things share a few key traits, including cellular organization, heritable genetic material and the ability to adapt/evolve, metabolism to regulate energy needs, the...
236.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Reviving Vavilov's vision: The tragedy of biodiversity governance and principles for reform.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025
Same author

Agricultural intensification and climate change are rapidly decreasing insect biodiversity.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2021
Same author

The distribution of biodiversity richness in the tropics.

Science advances·2020
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions
06:10

Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions

Published on: March 31, 2023

1.1K

How the living world evolved and where it's headed now.

Peter H Raven1

  • 1Missouri Botanical Garden, St Louis, MO, USA.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
|June 27, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Humanity

Area of Science:

  • Ecology and evolutionary biology
  • Environmental science
  • Anthropology

Background:

  • Life on Earth has evolved through major extinction events and adaptive radiations.
  • Homo sapiens emerged 300,000 years ago, leading to rapid population growth and increased resource consumption.
  • Current human activities are driving unprecedented species extinction rates and significant global warming.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To contextualize the current ecological crisis within Earth's long-term biological history.
  • To highlight the unsustainable trajectory of human population growth and resource use.
  • To emphasize the urgent need for societal change to ensure a sustainable future.

Main Methods:

  • Historical analysis of life's evolution and extinction events.
Keywords:
biodiversityclimate changecollapsemass extinctionsustainability

More Related Videos

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview
29:13

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

6.3K
Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
15:00

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Published on: August 18, 2023

3.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions
06:10

Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions

Published on: March 31, 2023

1.1K
Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview
29:13

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

6.3K
Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
15:00

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Published on: August 18, 2023

3.5K
  • Assessment of current human population dynamics and resource consumption.
  • Projection of future climate change scenarios and their impacts.

    • Main Results:

    • Earth has experienced five major extinction events, each followed by biodiversity recovery.
    • Homo sapiens' rapid growth and consumption are exceeding planetary boundaries (175% of sustainable productivity).
    • Global temperatures have risen 1.1°C, with projections indicating a 2.6-3.9°C increase, and species extinction rates are accelerating.

    Conclusions:

    • The current trajectory of human activity poses a severe threat to civilization and biodiversity.
    • Overcoming greed and fostering social justice are essential for a sustainable future.
    • Ecological complexity and biosphere health require immediate global attention and action.