Tedx De Extinction Reflection

For this week's reflection assignment, we were presented with several videos. Of the four, I chose to watch the one titled "Tedx: De Extinction: a game changer for conservation biology. The featured presenter is Mr. Stanley Temple, a noted conservation biologist who has experience in the preservation of several species. The video was posted to youtube.com by Tedx Talks.

Mr. Stanley begins his lecture by stating in his early childhood he was interested in the conservation of animals. This was the driving force for his adult life, and career. As he is talking, he has infographics in the background being projected for the audience. Mr. Stanley then states that the future of species' diversity rests upon a few factors. The three are protect, conserve, and restore. He adds that there could be a fourth, it being revive. He states that life on Earth has been present for around 3.8 billion years. However, in the past 50,000 years alone, the extinction rate has risen dramatically secondary to human population. The potential of de extinction appeals to many, as species of animals that are endangered, or extinct, their numbers could increase (or be brought back from extinction). But because of this, conservation efforts could
The role of a conservation biologist is to be proactive in preventing extinction. If a species were indeed to be de extinct, the conservation biologist would definitely have a say early on. Mr. Stanley states that some plant life is hampered when species go extinct. He used the dodo bird as an example. By it going extinct, a certain plant species that was dependent on the droppings of this animal for survival. This is why it is such an important issue. Extinction doesn't just lead to the loss of a species, but also plants, and other species dependent on the animal for food. I think of it as a drop on a smooth water surface. There are dire consequences far after the extinction of