Sixth Mass Extinction Evidence

Conservation & Biodiversity 2015

Discoverers: Gerardo Ceballos, Paul Ehrlich

Overview

Comprehensive analysis showing that current vertebrate species extinction rates are up to 100 times higher than background rates, signalling a sixth mass extinction.

Significance

Quantified the scale of the current biodiversity crisis and demonstrated that human activities are driving extinction rates comparable to past mass extinction events.

Methodology

Statistical analysis of IUCN data on vertebrate extinctions since 1500, comparing observed rates with highly conservative background rate estimates.

Impact