A new study shows that not humans but climate change was the reason that the Megafauna became extinct 45,000 to 50,000 years ago. The animal used to roam across Sahul, which was made up of Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania. There were 8 to 14 megafauna species still around when humans arrived on their land. There has never been any direct evidence that says that humans were the reason that this species went extinct. A recent study says that the area they were living in was a vast desert and that there might have been an increase in temperature.Also, humans had a traditional practice with burning the landscape which an argument that some people make to decide how the animal went extinct. Although humans may have played some role in the loss of the megafauna, it was mostly due to the climate that made them permanently become extinct.
Nature of Science Themes:
1. Conflicts within the scientific community- Scientists may have different opinions on what happened this species that led them to go extinct 45,000 to 50,000 years ago.
2. Science is based on evidence- Many universities across the world carried out this study.
3. Science is collaborative- Many people and schools worked on this study to find their answers.
Link to article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130506181711.htm
By: Chelsea Olson
It is interesting that scientists were able to figure out what actually caused this animal to go extinct. On the recent zoo trip I researched the Elephant Bird. This animal has long since been extinct, but scientists have been unable to say for sure caused their extinction. The most likely suspect is in fact humans hunting them to extinction.
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