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Man-Made Fire Blamed for Australian Extinctions

Posted by timothy on from the smokey-the-kangaroo-never-caught-on dept.

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.

2 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. Hello Editors! by Sirex · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Its This is the possessive form of "it" as in "brought about its collapse." This is easily confused with "it's" primarily because we're taught that an apostrophe implies possession. This is an exception. It's The contraction of "it is" as in "It's a good day."

    1. Re:Hello Editors! by Sirex · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      You are definitely right. Thank you very much for your high level of pedantry! You make me proud.