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Wild mammals add up to a 'shockingly tiny' total biomass
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 2, 2023
Summary
Mammal populations are dominated by humans and their domestic animals. This highlights a significant imbalance in the global mammalian biomass distribution.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Ecology
- Biomass studies
Background:
- Mammalian biomass distribution is unevenly skewed.
- Human and domestic animal populations represent a disproportionately large fraction of total mammalian biomass.
Discussion:
- The ecological impact of human and domestic animal dominance requires further investigation.
- Understanding biomass distribution is crucial for conservation efforts and ecosystem management.
Key Insights:
- Humans and domestic species constitute the vast majority of global mammalian biomass.
- This finding underscores the profound anthropogenic influence on Earth's ecosystems.
Outlook:
- Future research should quantify the ecological consequences of this biomass dominance.
- Strategies for sustainable coexistence with a human-dominated biosphere are needed.
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