What ecological impact can result from the extinction of a species?

The extinction of a species leads to a permanent loss of genetic diversity and impacts the ecological roles that species play within their ecosystems. Every species has a unique role, contributing to the functioning and stability of its environment. When a species becomes extinct, the specific ecological niche it occupied is left vacant, which can disrupt food webs and ecosystem processes.

For example, if a predator species goes extinct, its prey may reproduce unchecked, potentially leading to overpopulation, which can harm plant communities and alter the habitat. This can further affect other species that rely on those plants or the dynamics of the ecosystem as a whole. Additionally, the loss of genetic diversity means that the overall pool of genetic traits within the ecosystem diminishes, which can reduce resilience to diseases, climate change, and other environmental pressures. Hence, extinction has profound and often irreversible consequences on biodiversity and ecosystem health.