https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocene_extinctionThere have been a number of topics and posts on this forum from all over the world regarding the current mass extinction event. Please read (at least) the summary of the following New Zealand Government Report published on 19.4.18.
Summary of the key findings from the report:
•Our soil is affected by erosion and intensive agriculture:
◦192 million tonnes of soil are lost every year from erosion – 44 percent of this is from pasture.
◦Soil quality testing shows 2 out of 7 indicators give reason for concern, with 48 percent of tested sites outside the target range for phosphorus content and macroporosity.
•Nearly 83 percent of our native birds, bats, reptiles, and frogs are classified as threatened or at risk of extinction (between 2010 and 2016).•20 species of birds improved their conservation status (between 2012 and 2016).
•As well as loss of native vegetation across the country, coastal and lowland habitats continued to reduce.
•There have been significant shifts in land use in the last two decades:
◦10 percent increase in the total size of our towns and cities (between 1996 and 2012).
◦42 percent increase in the area of land used for dairy, and a 20 percent decrease in area used for sheep and beef (between 2002 and 2016).
◦shift in the past 15 years to higher numbers of animals farmed per hectare, especially in dairy.
◦net loss of 71,000 hectares of native land cover (between 1996 and 2012).
◦7 percent decrease in total area of land in agricultural production (between 2002 and 2012).
For the entire paper please follow the link below:
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/news-events/land-report-highlights-issues-soil-degradation