Chapter 9: Sixth Extinction

Rahima Khatun 
Mr. Callahan 
24/08/18

In this chapter, Kolbert visits Reserve 1202, an area controlled by BDFFP; this organization has utilized rainforest patches to measure biodiversity and have a better sense of what the rainforest will look like in the future. While in Reserve 1202, ornithologist Mario Hart says that he’s noticed a decline in bird species, possibly due to fragmentation. This is most likely because islands are more likely to experience “relaxation” and are more prone to setbacks to diversity. Haft then takes Kolbert to the rainforest to show how animals depend on each other; the army ant, for example, is a key food source for many animals and its disappearance would hurt other animals. When etymologist Terry Edwin estimated the number of life forms in rainforests, it became clear that humans could pose a significant threat; if even a small portion was land was used, this could set off a chain reaction of extinctions.
Overall, this chapter connects to the theme that the Earth is an interconnected system and the actions of humans could threaten this. As stated in the text, “When you find one thing that depends on something else that, in turn, depends on something else, the whole series of interactions depends on constancy.” Although ants may seem like insignificant creatures, their extinction would only disrupt the food chain and decrease biodiversity. As a result, the food chain is more interconnected than it seems. I connected this to the recent decline in deer population; while upstate, I read that the deer population wasn’t as prevalent due to habitat loss; this has caused an increase in the population of bobcats and coyotes.