Re: Can we trust biology ecology?
2
Creatures become extinct because they are no longer fit enough to survive. it is irrelevant whether it is us or anything else: 99.9% of all creatures that have ever lived became extinct. No one misses the Shortfaced bear, the cave lion, the mamuth, megaceros etcetc.
We only appear to miss what we have lost and loved. While we lost species for sure recently on a global scale, we have won a lot of diversity on a regional scale. It is a human trait to adhere a lot of value to what is rare. Whether it is gold, a special kind of food or an animal. What is abundant doesn't count and "too" abundant and it is a pest.
In reality some species are at the end of the line and no longer fit to survive whereas others are doing much better because of the changes in their surroundings. Some have found new homes via human dispersal and also are doing very well.
The Siberian tiger supresses wolvenumbers significantly. Wherever human predation of tigers diminshes their numbers, wolves start to thrive. Wherever wolves enter, coyotes disappear. So in this case one takes the place of the other. Some things change. Larger ungulates have no problem with a coyote, but a pack of wolves is a serious danger. So they are more weary, less productive and forests start to grow...or prairie is lost...Whatever you like.
Change is a constant in the Universe. We will lose friends, species etc. I am human too an do not like it but I then realise that there is no good or bad reason for it. It is just the way it is. Sooner or later that tiger will become extinct. we probably too.
As it is, the tiger is just not competitive enough. It does not need to become extinct if it would be more clever etc. Foxes, raccons, wolves, bears, pigs, coyotes etc: they do well with humans around.