The chances of extinction of various plant and animal life forms have been steadily increasing since the start of human evolution and may lead to the extinction of the world, according to a new study published by the Science journal on Thursday.

The new research found that previous rates of extinction before humans existed was lower compared to the rate when humans had entered the picture.

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Less than 20 years ago, previous studies determined the rate of extinction before human existence to be at a value of about 1. However, the new study, spearheaded by biologist Stuart Pimm of Duke University, showed that the rate was actually lower and was pegged at a value of around 0.1.

By comparing past and present extinction records, biologists learned that the rate is now 10 times faster than what was previously believed. Pimm said that current death rate is about 100 to 1,000.

The study points to several causes that contribute to the increased extinction rate. But the most notable cause is the loss of habitat. In the same way, loss of habitat is caused by a number of factors which include human expansion and climate change.

Clinton Jenkins, co-author of the new study and a biologist at the Institute of Ecological Research in Brazil, gave an example as to how loss of habitat greatly impacts the survival rate of animals. He refers to the marmoset, a primate belonging to the monkey family, and how they are now considered as endangered species. He said marmosets have been losing their homes because of the upsurge in development in Brazil.

Approximately 66 million years ago, dinosaurs and other species had become extinct through a mass extinction referred to as the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. Several theories have been circulating as to the cause of the extinction though majority are in agreement that an impact event had resulted in the dinosaurs' extinction, according to Astrobiology Magazine.

Five times, Earth had experienced mass extinction and the new study causes biologists to speculate that a sixth extinction is possible.

"We are on the verge of the sixth extinction," Pimm said.

However, Pimm and Jenkins remain optimistic that the new study would lead to greater awareness and may encourage more investigation into the matter and how best to prevent another extinction. Both biologists endorsed the use of technology to educate themselves on the species that are in trouble. Once people are made aware of the plight of endangered species, the community can develop techniques and other methods to preserve their habitat and to ultimately save them from extinction.

TagsMarmoset, endangered species, Science news, science research, biology research, human extinction, earth extinction