Evolutionist, why is there less & less species of animals now then before?

Question

well if all these species become extinct, then how did evolution work in the first place?

for everyone that give the stupid response. I wasn't referring to the industrial age, I'm speaking up throughout the begining of creation.

Answer 1

It has something to do with the fact that we're killing them off much faster than they can speciate. This is a rather slow process, and usually requires a geographic barrier, like mountains or islands to cut one population partly or completely off from another, although the second link shows other types.

http://www.santarosa.edu/lifesciences2/ensatina2.htm

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/speciation.html

Basically, in the most common type of speciation event one population with little gene exchange with other populations eventually becomes so different that it cannot interbreed outside its own population. Like, a species lives in a canyon with dark rock on one side and light rock on the other. A species of dark-colored moth moves in, and a mutant white version arises that moves to the other side of the canyon. While there would probably be plenty of moths that visit the other side once in a while and wind up mating with the locals, if there is not much of the canyon that is the right color for a hybrid moth that's light gray instead of black or white, it discourages gene flow between the populations because those moths that do breed with another have all their children eaten. Its a harsh world, but do you see how this sort of thing works? You probably also see why it is slow enough that we are killing stuff off faster than new stuff arises by this mechanism.

Answer 2

You only think humans are special because of your self centered anthropogenic worldview. What's so special about being smart? You only think it's special because it's the attribute that humans have. Fish consider it simple to breathe underwater. We can't do that. Birds consider it simple to fly. We can't do that. The point is your thinking is flawed because you are attributing some 'specialness' to intelligence for no other reason that you just happen to think it's good to be intelligent. You've already decided that humans are 'better' than other animals. Try staying underwater for a week and you might find that gills are much more useful than intelligence. Fall off a cliff and I bet you'll trade intelligence for wings in a heartbeat. We fill a niche. Our niche is intelligence. Other animals fill different niches that require different attributes. Try to survive underwater and you'll probably find it just as hard as a fish trying to survive on the street. A thought-provoking exchange I once read online: "We are also the dominant species on the planet." "You jest, surely? Homo Sap? We haven't been around for more than an eyeblink. Although we've made an impressive start, I think we should wait a few hundred million years before claiming the trophy - y'know, like the dinos? In the interim, have you seen how well grass is doing? My money's on them." "Well sure, if you're a high risk investor. Those of us with more cautious, long-term strategies have portfolios heavily weighted toward prokaryotes." "I sometimes wonder if giraffes walk about feeling superior because they have the longest necks..."

Answer 3

I hope you don't mind, but as an agnostic and grammarian, I feel compelled to point out some flaws with your question.

First, as to form; You address your question to "Evolutionist," in the singular rather than the plural. Are you looking for only one evolutionist to answer?

Next, the use of "less and less species" is incorrect. When we encounter a noun which describes items that can, at least theoretically, be counted, we use "fewer."

Further, when making comparisons, use "than" and not "then,"

Now, as to content; have you any data supporting your assumption that there are fewer species than before? Further, what time frame are you considering when you use "before?"

Answer 4

There are around 2.5 million classified species and about the same estimated to exist that are awaiting classification- much the same as there have always been on the planet at any given time. Every single "objection" to evolution has to be a blatant falsehood-do you people never catch on to the fact that you're churning out a pack of lies?

Answer 5

This has nothing to do with evolution. This has everything to do with people killing animals and destroying animals' habitat. There are many animals that have been hunted so extensively that they are unable to recover their population. There are some protected animals that are disappearing because of poachers who continue to kill them to make money. Forests are being completely destroyed, leaving animals with no food. Keep evolution out of this, because it has no role in what humans are doing to reduce the number of species.

Answer 6

Where did you get this fact firstly, and does this include all animals that existed until now or are we, say, taking a snapshot of one moment a few million years ago and counting the species then?

Answer 7

Because we are trashing the earth and making in uninhabitable. The average person also eats the remains of 80 animals a year. Thats a lot of carcass'

Answer 8

Because we're destroying habitats and killing them, and because it takes millions of years for creatures to adapt to new environments. Maybe by the year 5 million we'll have a huge and varied ecosystem which thrives on pollution and concrete, but until then we're just going to have to carry on losing them.

Answer 9

Because the right-wing fundamentalists have defied God's teaching about being good stewwards and made a false religious credo out of allowing big business to rape God's beautiful creation. So YOU are killing off what God created faster than they evolve--or faster than He creates new speceise, if you prefer that wording.

But its you--not I--who will have to explain your disrespect of His gifts to Him. Good luck--you'll need it.

Answer 10

this is the dumbest question ive ever seen. if you are that ignorant, then im not sure how u will survive. us greedy people that "god" created keeps taking all of the animals natural habitat and turning it into cities. the animals therefore have no place to go so they die.