| Megafauna |
Website Links For Megafauna |
Information AboutMegafauna |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT MEGAFAUNA | |
| megafaunamegafauna | |
| zoology | |
|
Megafauna animals are generally K-strategist s, with great longevity, slow population growth rates, low death rates, and few or no natural predators capable of killing adults. These characteristics make megafauna highly vulnerable to human exploitation. Many species of megafauna have become extinct within the last million years, and, although some biologists dispute it, human Hunting is often cited as the cause. USAGE The sense in which the term is used is usually apparent from the context: # A particular group of large, extinct animals. For example, ''American megafauna'', meaning "the various species of large American mammal that became extinct about 13,000 years ago". # Any group of large animals. For example, ''South American megafauna'', meaning "all large animals in South America today". Extinction Two major hypotheses have been proposed to explain the extinction of megafauna. The first cites human intervention, noting that the time of human appearances on the various continents was the time that they became extinct. The second is that climate changes, most notably increases in average temperature, caused them to die out. Charismatic megafauna The term ''charismatic megafauna'' refers to animals that have widespread popular appeal. Examples include the Giant Panda , the Indian Elephant , and the Blue Whale . Charismatic megafauna often garner a disproportionate level of public concern. Environmental Activist s are aware of this effect and use the extra leverage provided by a charismatic species to achieve more subtle and far-reaching goals. By directing public attention to the plight of the Giant Panda, for example, the Environmental Movement can raise support not just for the protection of the panda, but for the entire Ecosystem on which it depends. MEGAFAUNA BY CONTINENT "†" denotes extinct megafauna ;African megafauna
;Eurasian megafauna
;Australian megafauna
''See also:'' Australian Megafauna ;North American megafauna
;Central & South American megafauna
;Island megafauna ;Ocean megafauna
SEE ALSO |
|
|