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Janet Small,
Andrew Deacon,
Tasneem Jaffer,
Michael Glover (Host),
Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan,
Germán Montoya Sanhueza,
Nicole Withers,
Peter Atkins,
and
Lauren Butler
Topics Covered
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Topics Covered
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Topics Covered
- The five past mass extinctions and their impact on life on earth
- What we know about the past from the fossil record
- The earliest forms of life
- From simple to complex life forms
- Extinction and radiation as drivers of change
- Likely causes of mass extinctions throughout earth’s history
- Current threats to biodiversity
- What we can do to reduce the risk of a ‘sixth extinction’
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/6b7wqu/extinctions
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Reviews summary
Extinctions: past, present, and future
This course offers a detailed look at the five past mass extinctions and their impact on life on earth. It also examines the current threats to biodiversity and what we can do to reduce the risk of a ‘sixth extinction’. Reviews indicate that the course is well-presented by enthusiastic experts, and they find the content to be both informative and thought-provoking.
Interviews with specialists provide valuable insights and diverse perspectives.
"Excellent photographs, graphics and charts and nice clear explanations which this non-scientist found easy to follow."
"The expert contributors we met throughout the course."
"This course is outstanding. ... You can't help but have all the excitement you felt as a child for fossils and dinosaurs reawakened."
Clear and engaging presentations make the course easy to follow and understand.
"The course is well presented and deeply fascinating."
"The lectures were all interesting and well presented."
"The videos, research material and interview discussions have all been absorbing."
The course highlights the relevance of past extinctions to current threats to biodiversity and the importance of conservation efforts.
"The final 6th extinction happening now leads to much broader issues and it was great to see how the science of our current environmental crisis can be linked with the geological past."
"There is so much extra reading material with plenty of more in-depth information."
"The main educator, Professor Chinsamy Turan, introduced many experts on different aspects, and all were highly knowledgeable, articulate and passionate about their subjects."
Engaging and informative content, well-presented by experts in the field.
"This course is fascinating and eye-opening."
"I found this course both fascinating and eye-opening."
"An excellent course, full of information on past extinctions and present-day habitats and species under threat."
The course raises important questions about the future of life on Earth and our role in it.
"This was a fascinating course... It took a logical step by step process through the extinctions to our present day problems."
"Outstanding course! The enthusiasm and optimism brought to the course by the lead education is contagious."
"An excellent and highly informative course detailing the five mass extinctions... Additional material pertaining to journal articles and other reputable references have also been included for those who wish to learn more..."
Concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the course content, specifically unfounded speculation that is not corrected by educators.
"I am concerned that students come away with too many false ideas."
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OpenCourser.com/course/6b7wqu/extinctions
Reading list
We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
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This Pulitzer Prize-winning book examines the ongoing sixth mass extinction event, its causes, and its potential consequences.
Explores the potential for future extinctions, including those caused by human activities, and discusses the evolutionary potential of humans.
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This detailed monograph focuses on the extinction of the dodo, a flightless bird from Mauritius, and explores the reasons for its disappearance.
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Discusses the current extinction crisis, its causes, and its impacts on the planet's ecosystems.
Explores the history of life on Earth, including the major extinction events and the adaptations that have allowed some species to survive.
Provides an in-depth examination of the evolution and extinction of dinosaurs.
Focuses on the Permian-Triassic extinction event, the largest mass extinction in Earth's history.
This edited volume examines the philosophical, scientific, and legal aspects of extinction.
Examines the ethical implications of extinction and explores the concept of preserving species.
Includes a section on extinction and conservation strategies to prevent it.
Explores the importance of preserving endangered species and the role of conservation efforts in preventing extinctions.
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Covers the evolutionary history of mammals after the extinction of dinosaurs.
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Explores the potential consequences of human extinction on the planet's ecosystems.
Written by renowned biologist Edward O. Wilson, this book explores the immense diversity of life on Earth, from the tiniest microorganisms to the largest whales. It highlights the importance of biodiversity for the health and resilience of our planet.
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Provides a comprehensive overview of the origins, evolution, and dynamics of biodiversity. It examines the threats to biodiversity and explores conservation strategies to protect and preserve the variety of life on Earth.
Explores the complex interactions between biodiversity and climate change. It assesses the impacts of climate change on various ecosystems and species and discusses adaptation and mitigation strategies to safeguard biodiversity.
This accessible book highlights the significance of individual species in maintaining ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. It emphasizes the need to conserve not only charismatic species but also lesser-known ones.
Written by renowned conservation biologists, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of conservation biology. It covers a wide range of topics, including threats to biodiversity, conservation strategies, and the role of science in conservation.
This concise and accessible book provides a concise overview of biodiversity, its importance, and the threats it faces. It great starting point for anyone looking to gain a basic understanding of the topic.
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Comprehensively explores the history of extinction on Earth, from the earliest mass extinction events to the current biodiversity crisis.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/6b7wqu/extinctions
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Time
15 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institution
University of Cape Town
Instructors
Janet Small
Andrew Deacon
Tasneem Jaffer
Michael Glover (Host)
Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan
Germán Montoya Sanhueza
Nicole Withers
Peter Atkins
Lauren Butler
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