Science
Species extinction threats underestimated
Boulder, Colo. | July 08, 2008 12:01:13 AM IST
A U.S. study finds species extinction threats are underestimated due to a math problem, with extinction risks underrated by possibly as much as 100-fold. University of Colorado-Boulder Assistant Professor Brett Melbourne said current mathematical models used to determine extinction threat, or the red-listed status, of species overlook random differences between individuals in a given population. He said such differences-- including variations in male-to-female sex ratios and size or behavioral variations among individuals -- can influence their survival rates and reproductive success, thereby exerting an unexpectedly large effect on extinction risk calculations. When we apply our new mathematical model to species extinction rates, it shows that things are worse than we thought, said Melbourne. By accounting for random differences between individuals, extinction rates for endangered species can be orders of magnitude higher than conservation biologists have believed. The research, funded by the National Science Foundation, is reported in the journal Nature. (UPI)
Viewer's Comment |
Comments Not Available |
|
| |
Obama-Singh or Singh-Obama: what will it be? Manmohan to travel to US for nuclear summit next year US assures early action over n-deal, reprocessing pact soon (Lead) World is a step closer to deal on climate change: Obama Obama rules out mediating in Indo-Pak conflict from outside US reaffirms commitment to \'N\' deal, says no role in India-Pak Meghalaya govt seeks Rs 8,845.65 cr from Finance Commission Obama to visit India next year
| 
