Mark van Kleunen and colleagues at the University of Konstanz suggest that four per cent of plant species have been relocated around the globe, equivalent to all the native plant species in Europe. When scientists examine the impact of humans on the planet, the focus is mainly on the extinction of species. If we are to help preserve the millions of species on Earth, we must consider the impact of humans in terms of these creative and destructive forces. Humans have also domesticated around 474 animals and 269 plants to meet their needs, and this has led to the emergence of new species. Many of these plants and animals have since undergone rapid evolution in their new environments, leading to the emergence of new species.

Source: National Post July 05, 2016 17:03 UTC