Monday, December 15, 2014

Mapping Mass Extinction


The scientific journal Nature is reporting that 41% of amphibian species, 26% of mammal species and 13% of birds are facing the threat of extinction as a direct result of human activity. The Earth is therefore facing what is being called the 'Sixth Great Extinction' event and the only one to be caused by a single species.

The best map of this extinction event is probably from the What is Missing? Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to raise awareness about the threat of animal extinction through science-based artworks. The What is Missing? website features an interactive map of the world featuring species which have disappeared or are in danger of extinction.

The species highlighted on the map can be sorted chronologically or by category. If you click on the 'view in time' link the dots on the map automatically rearrange themselves to form a timeline of species extinctions. You can also filter the data shown on the map by species by selecting the 'sort by subject' link.

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