As we continue to learn about our past, archaeologists and scientists continue to excavate and research on earlier life. In "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences", a new study revealed information on how humans were more destructive. Apparently, humans were more destructive than climate change - which is a natural occurence. How is this possible?
Researchers were able to excavate animal fossils. These animal fossils were the likes of tortoises, crocodiles and iguanas. They are apparently the remaining survivors of the last Ice Age. The only reason for their extinction were humans moving in their domain.
In the island of Abaco, Dave Steadman - the leading ornithology curator from the University of Florida Museum - expressed that "The species that existed (on Abaco) up until people arrived were survivors. They withstood a variety of environmental changes, but some could not adapt quickly or drastically enough to what happened when people showed up."
Is it really hard to believe that because of humans, animal life was destroyed? Why were animals not able to adapt to humans moving in? Researchers looked for answers in the Sawmill Sinkhole. The Sawmill Sinkhole can be found at the center of the Abaco Island. The one hundred fossil species excavated from the sinkhole likely fell to their death - possibly unaware of a sinkhole or unaware of the danger a sinkhole could bring. But this is bigger than a sinkhole. Animals were able to survive a sinkhole and other host of natural dangers, but then humans came.
So, if we add climate change to the equation of humans moving in, what could possibly be the outcome? Changes in weather can affect migration patterns and animal habitats. And what about humans? The instinct to survive - which means having a roof above their heads and food on the table. Thats the perfect cocktail to drive some animal species to extinction. "When humans change habitats at a rate that local species cannot keep up with, that can very quickly result in the losses," Hayley Singleton said in the press release with Steadman.
Researchers continue to learn more about the island's biodiversity and the continuity of this study will be ensured in December because the National Science Foundation has granted an award amounting to $375,000 for this purpose.
The grant will enable UF Museum researchers to further explore the Carribean caves.
