* Loss of food sources: Many human populations rely on animals and plants for food. If a species that is a food source goes extinct, it can have a direct impact on the human population that relies on it. For example, the extinction of the passenger pigeon in the late 1800s resulted in a significant loss of food for Native American tribes in the eastern United States.
* Loss of medicinal resources: Many plants and animals have medicinal properties that have been used to treat human diseases for centuries. If a species that has medicinal value goes extinct, it can mean losing a potential source of treatment for human diseases. For example, the extinction of the Madagascar periwinkle in the 1970s threatened the production of the cancer drug vinblastine.
* Increased pest populations: Some species help to control populations of pests that can damage crops or spread disease. If a species that helps to control pests goes extinct, it can mean an increase in pests, which can have a negative impact on human agriculture and health. For example, the extinction of the Tasmanian tiger in the early 1900s resulted in an increase in the population of kangaroos, which compete with livestock for food and can carry diseases that can infect humans.
Indirect effects:
* Loss of ecosystem services: Ecosystems provide a variety of services that benefit humans, such as regulating the climate, providing clean water, and pollinating crops. If species that play a role in providing these services go extinct, it can have a negative impact on human well-being. For example, the extinction of bees would threaten the pollination of many crops, which would have a devastating impact on the global food supply.
* Climate change: The extinction of some species can contribute to climate change, which can have a wide range of negative effects on human populations. For example, the extinction of large herbivores in the Amazon rainforest has resulted in an increase in forest fires, which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
* Loss of biodiversity: Biodiversity is essential for the health of ecosystems. When species go extinct, it can reduce the resilience of ecosystems, making them more susceptible to collapse. This can have a cascading effect on other species, including humans. For example, the extinction of coral reefs could impact fisheries that provide food for millions of people worldwide.
The extinction of other creatures can have a significant impact on humans, both directly and indirectly. It is important to be aware of these impacts and to take steps to protect threatened species.