The Australasian megafaunal extinction story now seems clear. Shortly after their arrival, small bands of hunters had a devastating effect on large animals, whether it was ∼41,000 years ago in Australia or ∼750 years ago in New Zealand (13). Any climate change at those times was modest and highly unlikely to affect the outcome. Fire and massive biome disruption followed human arrival in regions where there had previously been little or no fire, such as wet tropical Queensland and eastern New Zealand....
The hunters did it.
Started by
Dave-Vero
, Mar 22 2012 01:51 PM
6 replies to this topic
#1
Dave-Vero
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Posted 22 March 2012 - 01:51 PM
This afternoon's issue of Science has the Report explaining how it was figured out (spores of fungi that thrive around big animals) and a Perspective giving a fuller explanation. Here's a tidbit from the Perspective. Short version is that Tim Flannery was more or less right:
The Australasian megafaunal extinction story now seems clear. Shortly after their arrival, small bands of hunters had a devastating effect on large animals, whether it was ∼41,000 years ago in Australia or ∼750 years ago in New Zealand (13). Any climate change at those times was modest and highly unlikely to affect the outcome. Fire and massive biome disruption followed human arrival in regions where there had previously been little or no fire, such as wet tropical Queensland and eastern New Zealand....
The Australasian megafaunal extinction story now seems clear. Shortly after their arrival, small bands of hunters had a devastating effect on large animals, whether it was ∼41,000 years ago in Australia or ∼750 years ago in New Zealand (13). Any climate change at those times was modest and highly unlikely to affect the outcome. Fire and massive biome disruption followed human arrival in regions where there had previously been little or no fire, such as wet tropical Queensland and eastern New Zealand....
Fla. climate center: 100-119 days>85 F
USDA 1990 hardiness zone 9B
Florida Climate Center zone 10a
arborday.org 2004 hardiness zone 10
4 km inland from Indian River
USDA 1990 hardiness zone 9B
Florida Climate Center zone 10a
arborday.org 2004 hardiness zone 10
4 km inland from Indian River
#2
Jeff Searle
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Posted 22 March 2012 - 03:26 PM
I'm trying to think on how to respond. I'll be back..... 
Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.
and The Rainforest Collection.
Southwest Ranches,Fl.
and The Rainforest Collection.
Southwest Ranches,Fl.
#3
DoomsDave
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Posted 22 March 2012 - 03:52 PM
Interesting thread!
Much of the rest of the world followed a similar pattern, except for Africa and South Asia.
CLICK HERE WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE MEGAFAUNAL EXTINCTIONS
Much of the rest of the world followed a similar pattern, except for Africa and South Asia.
CLICK HERE WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE MEGAFAUNAL EXTINCTIONS
Ah, viva Guada La Habra!
Gateway to Whittier! Classic Sunset Garden Zone 23.
Air-drained coastal slope, 20 miles inland, almost entirely coastal influence. Slightly psycho Mediterranean climate.
"If you're going to do it, you might as well overdo it . . . ."
Gateway to Whittier! Classic Sunset Garden Zone 23.
Air-drained coastal slope, 20 miles inland, almost entirely coastal influence. Slightly psycho Mediterranean climate.
"If you're going to do it, you might as well overdo it . . . ."
#4
Dave-Vero
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Posted 22 March 2012 - 07:28 PM
ABC have a nice story. Keep an eye on the dung, the spores and the charcoal. Really clever paleoecological research.
Fla. climate center: 100-119 days>85 F
USDA 1990 hardiness zone 9B
Florida Climate Center zone 10a
arborday.org 2004 hardiness zone 10
4 km inland from Indian River
USDA 1990 hardiness zone 9B
Florida Climate Center zone 10a
arborday.org 2004 hardiness zone 10
4 km inland from Indian River
#5
palmmermaid
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Posted 23 March 2012 - 09:15 AM
Jared Diamond wrote about this in his book Guns, Germs, and Steel. Everyone should read this book along with his other 2 - Collapse and The Third Chimpanzee. Collapse scared me.
Palmmermaid
Kitty Philips
West Palm Beach, FL
Kitty Philips
West Palm Beach, FL
#6
paulgila
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pohonkelapa
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Posted 23 March 2012 - 11:00 AM
i read those,totally fascinating books. "germs,guns & steel" was made into a mini-series.
the "prince of snarkness."
still "warning-free."
san diego,california,left coast.
still "warning-free."
san diego,california,left coast.
#7
aussiearoids
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Posted 23 March 2012 - 02:51 PM
Yes they did , and then they got together with the Collectors and formed an awesome band 
Michael in palm paradise,
Tully, wet tropics in Australia, over 4 meters of rain every year.
Home of the Golden Gumboot, its over 8m high , our record annual rainfall.
Tully, wet tropics in Australia, over 4 meters of rain every year.
Home of the Golden Gumboot, its over 8m high , our record annual rainfall.
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