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The geologic period we are currently in is called the Holocene, and extinctions have occurred across plant and animal groups during modern times. The current extinction rate is much greater than during any of the “Big Five” mass extinctions, which took place over hundreds of thousands to millions of years. The current extinctions are taking place during spans of tens to thousands of years, and the rate has increased dramatically since the 1950s. Many of these modern extinctions are occurring in the rainforests, and plant and insect species have most recently been heavily affected. However, many large mammals and birds have also disappeared from most of the continents.

Holocene - Present Day

The geologic period we are currently in is called the Holocene, and extinctions have occurred across plant and animal groups during modern times. The current extinction rate is much greater than during any of the “Big Five” mass extinctions, which took place over hundreds of thousands to millions of years. The current extinctions are taking place during spans of tens to thousands of years, and the rate has increased dramatically since the 1950s. Many of these modern extinctions are occurring in the rainforests, and plant and insect species have most recently been heavily affected. However, many large mammals and birds have also disappeared from most of the continents.

Cause:		Climate change, both natural and human-induced, and human activity such as hunting, fishing, invasive species introductions, and habitat destruction.

Result:		Scientists estimate that between 20,000 and 2 million species went extinct during the 20th century, and the current rate is estimated to be as much as 140,000 species per year.