Man-Made Fire Blamed for Australian Extinctions

JeiFuRi writes "Around 50,000 years ago, many large Australian animals died off with the arrival of man. From a study carried out by the Carnegie Institution, we now know that the continent's earliest settlers caused these extinctions through their use of fire. In addition, it may have altered the ecosystem of ancient Australia and brought about it's collapse. Futher commentary at BBC News, newKerala, and Red Nova." "Know" is a strong word; the study suggests this may be the case, though.

Comments

Re:Thats evolution for you

[rylin]

Depends.
Leopards and lions aren't obsessed with hunting elephants just to get at their tusks.

When it's a matter of survival, rather than fetching a good price on the black market - let me know.

Homo sapiens: The Other Species

[Dharma's Dad]

I understand that we have the intellect to comprehend the consequences of our actions and that makes us culpable for more than your average animal. But I find it curious that one never hears the argument that we are in fact a species on this planet and our actions are natural and the consequences are part of the natural order.

Again, I do not condone charging ahead to flatten forests or eliminate other species but it seems strange one never hears discussion of things in this light....

Re:Homo sapiens: The Other Species

[meringuoid]

our actions are natural and the consequences are part of the natural order

So are mass extinctions, but if given the choice you'd generally prefer not to be involved in one of those.

We're supposed to be the intelligent ones here, but we don't appear to be smart enough yet not to shit in our own beds...