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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.

5 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. Thats evolution for you by FidelCatsro · · Score: 4, Interesting

    50,000 years and the Aussies are still big on barbecues.
    Seriously though , Such is evolution .The species that could not adapt quickly enough died off.
    I always had a small problem with conservation efforts , I know its lovely to save endangered species and all that , but does it not hamper the natural order further by trying to save species that can not cope by themselves.

    --
    The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
  2. Its bloody hot down there. by torpor · · Score: 5, Interesting


    I've survived many a bush fire with nothing but a damp potato sack for my miseries, and much as I despise the negative impact we've had on this land, I can tell you that its a beautiful thing indeed to walk around the scorched Aussie landscape for weeks after the event, watching new life grow .. and the first rains after the fire are wonderful too, for days afterwards new wildflowers spring forth, and in the midst of the dry black and grey and red, you suddenly see green and purple and blue and pink and yellow .. and a month or two afterwards, the land is restored to its glory..

    Australia is a beautiful place, so truly uniqe. Its a good thing that, at least, we are discussing its management, and our effect, and the demise so far, intelligently at least ...

    --
    ; -- the corruption of government starts with its secrets. a truly free people keep no secrets. --
  3. Only you... by identity0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Smokey the Marsupial says: "Only you can prevent outback fi-" *wham* *wham* *sizzle*

    Pyro the Aboriginie says: "Mmm, marsupial tasty over fire. More burnt marsupials good. Burn! Burn!"

    *sets outback on fire*

  4. Re:Homo sapiens: The Other Species by meringuoid · · Score: 4, Insightful
    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...

    --
    Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
  5. Re:Homo sapiens: The Other Species by kotku · · Score: 5, Interesting

    We have the ability to choose one outcome over another. In this case when several consequences are choosable, the argument that the "consequences are part of the natural order" is a moot point and at worst an excuse for being irresponsible. Even if *conservation* is a human concept it is a concept brought about by a desire to live in a world that is interesting, varied and reasonably stable for the majority of the human population.

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    The bikini - security through obscurity since 1943