Extinction rates have slowed across many plant and animal groups, study shows

Extinction Rates Have Slowed Across Many Plant and Animal Groups

New research has revealed that patterns and causes of past extinctions differ from current and future threats.

Around the world, many studies have suggested the planet is in a mass extinction, supported by evidence from the past 500 years and the idea that extinction rates are accelerating.

However, a new study by the University of Arizona has shown a more positive perspective: extinction rates in plants, arthropods, and land vertebrates peaked around 100 years ago and have declined since then.

We show that extinction rates are not getting faster towards the present, as many people claim, but instead peaked many decades ago.

Researchers found that past extinctions were mostly caused by invasive species on islands, rather than habitat destruction, the most significant threat to wildlife today.

Author's summary: Extinction rates slowed down in many species.

Extinction rates peaked around 100 years ago.
Past extinctions were mostly caused by invasive species on islands.
Habitat destruction is the most significant threat to wildlife today.

Geographical — 2025-10-27

Extinction Rates Have Slowed Across Many Plant and Animal Groups

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