Rediscovering the Undiscovered: Revitalizing the Cerro Juan Diaz Archaeological Ceramic Collection (Presentation in Spanish)
Catalina
Pimiento
The fate and function
of marine megafauna
June 11, 2021
Panama
Large marine animals generally have unique functions for the ecosystem. They are also more susceptible to extinction when their habitats are altered. Around 3 million years ago, at least one third of the marine megafauna became extinct, possibly due to sea level fluctuations and the contraction of coastal habitats. This also led to a loss of some of their ecological functions. In the current era, many large marine animals are deemed at risk of extinction. What will be the consequences of this potential loss? In her latest talk, STRI research associate Catalina Pimiento explores various scenarios, suggesting that between 40% and 70% of marine megafaunal ecological functions could be lost in the next century, which is unprecedented in geological history.
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