Why worry?
So why do we worry if some tiny bug or obscure frog can no longer be found in the wild?
It’s likely that there are many people who secretly long for the day when mosquitoes become extinct! But here are some reasons why we should worry - even about critters that seem insignificant or are not pleasant to have around (like mosquitoes!)
1. Ecosystems are interconnected
Even tiny creatures play roles in their ecosystems—like pollinating plants, decomposing dead matter, or being food for other animals. Remove one, and it can have a domino effect:
• Lose an insect, and a bird that eats it might struggle.
• That bird disappears, and predators that rely on it are affected.
• Plants that relied on the insect for pollination may stop reproducing.
It’s not always dramatic, but these systems are complex and sometimes fragile.
2. Scientific and medical value
Some obscure species (even bacteria) have led to big breakthroughs:
• A tiny sea snail helped create a powerful painkiller.
• Enzymes from bacteria found in hot springs are used in DNA testing (PCR).
We don’t know what potential is lost with each extinction.
3. Biodiversity builds resilience
Diverse ecosystems are more resilient to climate change, disease, and invasive species. Each species is like a layer of protection—remove enough and the whole system can collapse.
4. They’re part of the bigger picture
Even “insignificant” animals are part of the Earth’s history and natural heritage. Their existence reflects millions of years of evolution and adaptation.
5. Extinction is often a warning sign
When a small species goes extinct, it’s often a symptom of bigger environmental problems—pollution, habitat destruction, climate change—that will eventually affect larger species, including humans.
But extinction has been around for a long time
(we don’t have dinosaurs now)
It’s true that extinction is a natural part of evolution - but today, the rate of extinction is much higher than normal, and most of it is caused by human activity—not natural processes.
So the real concern is what that trend means for ecosystems, biodiversity, and us in the long run.
Next: Some little extinctions with
big consequences.
