Humans
have the ability to dramatically alter the environment in order to meet
their needs in a way that is not the same as other species. However, changes in the environment by humans also affect animals also
inhabit the earth, for example, the practice of illegal hunting.
A study that examines the diversity and distribution of animals have
been trying to map the distribution of large mammals on earth would
happen if humans had never existed.
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Africa is the last continent to have held onto most of its large mammals. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1JeYgqR) |
The recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Aarhus, Denmark. Results
of the study describes the reason why the African continent being the
only place where the diversity of large mammals to be the highest in
history. Not because the continent is profitable, but because the mammals survive and survive the onslaught of human hunting.
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The current distribution of large mammal diversity, with only Africa holding onto a large number of species.. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1JeYgqR) |
Researchers
build a new world map to predict the spread of animals that became
extinct based on ecology, biogeography, and natural conditions of the
current environment. They found that if humans did not exist, diversity in America is much larger, with meadow no different from those in Africa.
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The predicted large mammal diversity if modern humans hadn't existed, showing particular hotspots in the Americas. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1JeYgqR) |
The researchers assume, however, climate change at the end of the Pleistocene era not enough to kill large mammals alone. Extinction of many large mammals caused by a combination of climate change and hunting intensively conducted by humans. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | IFL SCIENCE]
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