Question

Estimates of current extinction rates rely on:

Answer 1

Estimates of current extinction rates rely on two main methods: recorded extinctions and habitat destruction. The recorded extinctions method uses data from the past 500 years but underestimates extinction rates. The habitat destruction method estimates extinction rates based on the rate of habitat loss but may overestimate them.

Step-by-step explanation:

The estimates of current extinction rates rely on two main methods:

1. Method 1: Recorded Extinctions - This method calculates extinction rates based on the recorded extinction of species in the past 500 years. It uses data from a large number of observations and measurements. However, it does not take into account unobserved extinctions and undiscovered species, leading to an underestimation of extinction rates.
2. Method 2: Habitat Destruction - This method is based on the amount of habitat destruction and uses species-area curves. It estimates extinction rates by analyzing the rate of habitat loss. This method is more adaptable for situations where unobserved extinctions and undiscovered species are expected, but it is not based on existing data and may overestimate the rate of extinction.