Question

Differentiate between the following:

Natural and Anthropogenic extinction

Answer 1

Basis of Difference	Natural Extinction	Anthropogenic Extinction
Meaning	Natural extinction is the disappearance of species through natural processes over time.	Anthropogenic extinction is the disappearance of species due to human activities.
Main causes	It may result from natural environmental changes and other processes occurring without human influence.	It may result from habitat destruction, pollution, hunting, overexploitation and other human-caused pressures.
Rate	Natural extinction generally occurs over long periods.	Anthropogenic extinction is occurring at a greatly accelerated rate compared with pre-human extinction rates.
Human involvement	Human activity is not the direct cause of natural extinction.	Human activity is the direct or indirect cause of anthropogenic extinction.
Example	The gradual disappearance of species through natural processes is an example of natural extinction.	The extinction of the dodo and passenger pigeon due to human activities is an example of anthropogenic extinction.