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gistfile1.txt
{
"version": 1,
"exportedAt": "2025-10-05T16:33:50.792Z",
"prompts": [
{
"id": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"prompt": "The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene",
"color": "#8c5a3c",
"earliest": "1000-01-01",
"latest": "2023-07-12"
}
],
"events": [
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1000,
"month": 1,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Madagascar Megafauna Decline",
"text": "Between 1000 and 800 years ago, Madagascar's megafauna, including giant lemurs and pygmy hippos, experienced rapid declines. This was driven by human activities such as hunting, habitat destruction, and the introduction of livestock, leading to increased competition and environmental changes. <a href='https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2021.1204' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1534700100' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2021.1204",
"https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1534700100"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1000,
"month": 1,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Elephant birds collapse — 1000 CE",
"text": "Massive flightless birds disappear across Madagascar around 1000 CE. Overexploitation and landscape change likely interact. <a href='https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2023/march/elephant-birds' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2025/05/11/a-biologist-spotlights-the-biggest-bird-the-world-has-ever-known-hint-it-went-extinct-during-the-dark-ages/' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2023/march/elephant-birds",
"https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2025/05/11/a-biologist-spotlights-the-biggest-bird-the-world-has-ever-known-hint-it-went-extinct-during-the-dark-ages/"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1280,
"month": 1,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Māori reach New Zealand — 1280-01",
"text": "The Māori arrived in New Zealand around 1280 CE, introducing hunting and fire. This led to the extinction of at least 28 bird species, including all nine species of moa, and significant deforestation. <a href='https://www.tiakitamakimakaurau.nz/understanding-conservation/aotearoa-new-zealand-a-unique-beginning-and-human-settlement/' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://teara.govt.nz/en/moa/page-4' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.tiakitamakimakaurau.nz/understanding-conservation/aotearoa-new-zealand-a-unique-beginning-and-human-settlement/",
"https://teara.govt.nz/en/moa/page-4"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1300,
"month": 12,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Rapid Decline of Moa Populations Due to Overhunting",
"text": "Following Polynesian settlement in New Zealand around 1300 CE, moa populations experienced a rapid decline due to overhunting and habitat destruction. Within approximately 100 years, all moa species were driven to extinction. <a href='https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1314972111' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2014/10/24/when-did-the-last-moa-die/' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1314972111",
"https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2014/10/24/when-did-the-last-moa-die/"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1445,
"month": 1,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Moa Extinction Completed",
"text": "By 1445, all moa species in New Zealand were extinct, approximately 150 years after Polynesian settlement. This rapid extinction led to significant ecological changes, including the reorganization of predator guilds and plant communities. <a href='https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2014/10/24/when-did-the-last-moa-die/' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1307700110' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2014/10/24/when-did-the-last-moa-die/",
"https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1307700110"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1492,
"month": 10,
"day": 12
},
"text": {
"headline": "Columbian Exchange begins",
"text": "Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas initiated the Columbian Exchange, a widespread transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds. This exchange introduced European livestock like cattle, pigs, and horses to the Americas, which thrived and significantly altered native ecosystems. Additionally, Old World diseases such as smallpox and measles devastated indigenous populations, leading to profound demographic and ecological changes. <a href='https://www.britannica.com/event/Columbian-exchange' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.history.com/articles/columbian-exchange-impact-diseases' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.britannica.com/event/Columbian-exchange",
"https://www.history.com/articles/columbian-exchange-impact-diseases"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1705,
"month": 1,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Mastodon Tooth Discovery in New York",
"text": "In 1705, a massive molar was discovered in Claverack, New York, sparking debate on American 'elephants' and foreshadowing scientific acceptance of extinction. This find marked the state's first scientifically documented mastodon fossils <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology_in_New_York' target='_blank'>[source]</a>."
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology_in_New_York",
"https://edit.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/george-washingtons-mastodon-tooth"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1768,
"month": 1,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Steller’s sea cow extinct — 1768",
"text": "Steller's sea cow, a giant marine herbivore, was discovered in 1741 and hunted to extinction by 1768 due to overexploitation for its meat and fat. This rapid eradication highlights the severe impact of human activities on vulnerable species. <a href='https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/stellers-sea-cow-first-historical-extinction-of-marine-mammal-at-human-hands.html' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1502552112' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/stellers-sea-cow-first-historical-extinction-of-marine-mammal-at-human-hands.html",
"https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1502552112"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1796,
"month": 4,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Georges Cuvier establishes extinction as a scientific fact",
"text": "In April 1796, Georges Cuvier presented a paper to the French Institute demonstrating that mammoth fossils were distinct from living elephant species, thereby establishing extinction as a scientific reality. This pivotal work ended the prevailing belief that all species were part of a continuous 'Great Chain of Being' and could not become extinct. <a href='https://www.britannica.com/biography/Georges-Cuvier' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://evolution.berkeley.edu/the-history-of-evolutionary-thought/1800s/extinctions-georges-cuvier/' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.britannica.com/biography/Georges-Cuvier",
"https://evolution.berkeley.edu/the-history-of-evolutionary-thought/1800s/extinctions-georges-cuvier/"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1932,
"month": 11,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Clovis culture first identified",
"text": "In November 1932, archaeologist Edgar B. Howard excavated Clovis points among mammoth bones at Blackwater Draw near Clovis, New Mexico, marking the first identification of the Clovis culture. These distinctive fluted spear points, associated with early human habitation in North America, have since been found across the continent. <a href='https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-clovis-point-and-the-discovery-of-americas-first-culture-3825828/' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clovis_culture' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-clovis-point-and-the-discovery-of-americas-first-culture-3825828/",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clovis_culture"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1949,
"month": 12,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Radiocarbon dating introduced",
"text": "In December 1949, Willard Libby and his team published their findings on radiocarbon dating, introducing a method that revolutionized the dating of ancient organic materials. This technique enabled precise testing of hypotheses regarding the timing and causes of events, such as the late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions. <a href='https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/radiocarbon-dating.html' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiocarbon_dating' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/radiocarbon-dating.html",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiocarbon_dating"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1953,
"month": 4,
"day": 25
},
"text": {
"headline": "DNA double helix discovered",
"text": "On April 25, 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick published a paper in Nature describing the double helix structure of DNA, a discovery that revolutionized molecular biology. This foundational insight later enabled ancient DNA research, revealing bottlenecks, admixture, and population trajectories. <a href='https://www.wired.com/2011/04/0424watson-crick-publish-dna-double-helix/' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/february-28-the-day-scientists-discovered-double-helix/' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.wired.com/2011/04/0424watson-crick-publish-dna-double-helix/",
"https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/february-28-the-day-scientists-discovered-double-helix/"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1966,
"month": 7,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Keystone species concept introduced",
"text": "In July 1966, ecologist Robert T. Paine introduced the keystone species concept, highlighting the critical role certain predators play in maintaining ecosystem structure. His research demonstrated that removing a top predator, such as the ochre starfish, led to significant changes in species diversity and abundance, underscoring the profound impact of apex predators on their environments. <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keystone_species' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.britannica.com/science/trophic-cascade' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keystone_species",
"https://www.britannica.com/science/trophic-cascade"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1966,
"month": 1,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Pleistocene Overkill Hypothesis Proposed",
"text": "In 1966, paleoecologist Paul S. Martin introduced the 'Pleistocene overkill' hypothesis, suggesting that human hunting was the primary cause of Late Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions. This theory has since sparked extensive modeling and debate. <a href='https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0801272105' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Schultz_Martin' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0801272105",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Schultz_Martin"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1973,
"month": 12,
"day": 28
},
"text": {
"headline": "Endangered Species Act signed into law",
"text": "President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act into law on December 28, 1973, establishing a comprehensive framework for the conservation of threatened and endangered species and their habitats. This landmark legislation has been instrumental in the recovery of species such as the bald eagle and the American alligator, and continues to influence modern megafauna management and reintroduction efforts. <a href='https://www.fws.gov/story/2013-12/endangered-species-act-turns-40-december-28-0' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-signing-the-endangered-species-act-1973' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.fws.gov/story/2013-12/endangered-species-act-turns-40-december-28-0",
"https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-signing-the-endangered-species-act-1973"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1984,
"month": 1,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Publication of 'Quaternary Extinctions: A Prehistoric Revolution'",
"text": "In 1984, the University of Arizona Press published 'Quaternary Extinctions: A Prehistoric Revolution,' edited by Paul S. Martin and Richard G. Klein. This comprehensive 892-page volume synthesizes global patterns, timings, and causes of Quaternary extinctions, emphasizing climate–human synergies and selectivity. <a href='https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/26328' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-antiquity/article/abs/quaternary-extinctions-a-prehistoric-revolution-paul-s-martin-and-richard-g-klein-editors-university-of-arizona-press-tucson-1984-x-892-pp-figures-tables-references-index-6500-cloth/A028A1C3E17D29AD30D0E7395C64D53E' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/26328",
"https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-antiquity/article/abs/quaternary-extinctions-a-prehistoric-revolution-paul-s-martin-and-richard-g-klein-editors-university-of-arizona-press-tucson-1984-x-892-pp-figures-tables-references-index-6500-cloth/A028A1C3E17D29AD30D0E7395C64D53E"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 1980,
"month": 1,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Advancements in AMS Radiocarbon Dating Enhance Megafauna Extinction Studies",
"text": "The development of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in the late 1970s and its application in the 1980s revolutionized radiocarbon dating by enabling precise measurements from smaller samples, thereby refining extinction chronologies of late-Quaternary megafauna. This advancement allowed for more accurate dating of specimens, enhancing our understanding of extinction patterns and timelines. <a href='https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/69/11/877/5572098' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerator_mass_spectrometry' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/69/11/877/5572098",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerator_mass_spectrometry"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2000,
"month": 1,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "Anthropocene Term Popularized",
"text": "In 2000, atmospheric chemist Paul J. Crutzen and biologist Eugene F. Stoermer popularized the term 'Anthropocene' to describe a new geological epoch characterized by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems. This concept has influenced conservation strategies, emphasizing the management of novel ecosystems resulting from human activities. <a href='https://www.anthropocenetrust.org/definition' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropocene' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.anthropocenetrust.org/definition",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropocene"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2000,
"month": 9,
"day": 26
},
"text": {
"headline": "Rapid Moa Extinction Linked to Human Settlement",
"text": "High-resolution radiocarbon dating and ancient DNA analyses reveal that moa populations were large and stable prior to human arrival in New Zealand. Their rapid extinction, occurring within 100–200 years of Polynesian settlement in the late 13th century, underscores the swift impact of human activities on island ecosystems. <a href='https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1314972111' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.287.5461.2250' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1314972111",
"https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.287.5461.2250"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2001,
"month": 5,
"day": 22
},
"text": {
"headline": "Overkill Simulation for North America",
"text": "A 2001 computer simulation demonstrated that slow human population growth and random hunting could plausibly lead to rapid declines in multiple large herbivore species, supporting the hypothesis of human-driven megafaunal extinctions. The model accurately predicted the extinction or survival of 32 out of 41 prey species, aligning with observed extinction rates and human population densities. <a href='https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11397940/' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2015032117' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11397940/",
"https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2015032117"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2003,
"month": 8,
"day": 15
},
"text": {
"headline": "Madagascar megafauna decline and ecological shifts",
"text": "Sediment cores from Madagascar reveal a sharp decline in Sporormiella spores, indicative of megafaunal loss, around 1,720 years ago. This decline was followed by increased charcoal deposits and vegetation changes, suggesting cascading ecological effects. <a href='https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1534700100' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12960385/' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1534700100",
"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12960385/"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2005,
"month": 8,
"day": 18
},
"text": {
"headline": "Pleistocene rewilding proposed",
"text": "In August 2005, a group of ecologists proposed 'Pleistocene rewilding,' advocating for the reintroduction of extant megafauna or their ecological equivalents to restore functions lost after the Quaternary extinctions. This strategy aims to reestablish ecological processes and evolutionary potential by using existing species as proxies for extinct megafauna. The proposal has sparked debate over its risks, feasibility, and ethical implications. <a href='https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17080364/' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0830/p08s02-comv.html' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17080364/",
"https://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0830/p08s02-comv.html"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2009,
"month": 11,
"day": 13
},
"text": {
"headline": "Pleistocene Megafaunal Collapse Linked to Increased Fire Regimes",
"text": "A 2009 study analyzing sediment cores from Appleman Lake, Indiana, found that a decline in the dung fungus Sporormiella, indicative of megafaunal population collapse, preceded both the formation of novel plant communities and a shift to enhanced fire regimes. This suggests that the loss of large herbivores led to increased fuel accumulation and subsequent fires, challenging hypotheses that attribute megafaunal extinctions solely to climate change or extraterrestrial impacts. <a href='https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1179504' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19965426/' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1179504",
"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19965426/"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2011,
"month": 7,
"day": 15
},
"text": {
"headline": "Trophic Downgrading of Planet Earth",
"text": "A comprehensive review published in Science examines the extensive ecological impacts resulting from the loss of large apex consumers. The study highlights cascading effects on disease dynamics, wildfire occurrences, carbon sequestration, invasive species proliferation, and biogeochemical cycles, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary research to predict and manage these consequences. <a href='https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21764740/' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011Sci...333..301E/abstract' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21764740/",
"https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011Sci...333..301E/abstract"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2013,
"month": 1,
"day": 1
},
"text": {
"headline": "IUCN updates reintroduction guidelines",
"text": "In 2013, the IUCN published updated guidelines for reintroductions and other conservation translocations, providing principles for the justification, design, and implementation of such efforts. These guidelines aim to guide ethical and effective practices for restoring ecological processes. <a href='https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/10386' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://iucn.org/resources/publication/guidelines-reintroductions-and-other-conservation-translocations' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/10386",
"https://iucn.org/resources/publication/guidelines-reintroductions-and-other-conservation-translocations"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2014,
"month": 6,
"day": 4
},
"text": {
"headline": "Human-driven loss quantified",
"text": "A global analysis published in 2014 found that the severity of late Quaternary megafauna extinctions is strongly tied to human presence, with at most a weak link to climate change. The study concluded that modern humans were the primary driver of these extinctions, rather than climate fluctuations. <a href='https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2013.3254' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2013.3254",
"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24898370/"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2015,
"month": 10,
"day": 26
},
"text": {
"headline": "Study Quantifies Nutrient Transport Loss Due to Megafauna Extinction",
"text": "A 2015 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences estimates that the extinction of large animals has reduced the global capacity for nutrient transport to about 6% of its former level, significantly impacting ecosystem fertility and connectivity. <a href='https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1502549112' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2015-10-26-declines-whales-fish-seabirds-and-large-animals-disrupt-earth%E2%80%99s-nutrient-cycle' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1502549112",
"https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2015-10-26-declines-whales-fish-seabirds-and-large-animals-disrupt-earth%E2%80%99s-nutrient-cycle"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2016,
"month": 5,
"day": 27
},
"text": {
"headline": "Introduction of Trophic Rewilding Framework",
"text": "On May 27, 2016, a seminal paper introduced the trophic rewilding framework, emphasizing the restoration of ecological functions over species lists. This approach links rewilding to ecosystem resilience and climate adaptation by reinstating top-down trophic interactions and associated cascades to promote self-regulating, biodiverse ecosystems. <a href='https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1502556112' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/brv.13046' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1502556112",
"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/brv.13046"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2017,
"month": 3,
"day": 2
},
"text": {
"headline": "Wrangel Island mammoth genome reveals deleterious mutations",
"text": "A 2017 study found that the last woolly mammoths on Wrangel Island accumulated harmful genetic mutations due to their small, isolated population, leading to defects in olfactory receptors, urinary proteins, and coat development. These findings highlight the genetic risks faced by small, isolated populations. <a href='https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28253255/' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/genes-last-woolly-mammoths-were-riddled-bad-mutations-study-finds-180962381/' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28253255/",
"https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/genes-last-woolly-mammoths-were-riddled-bad-mutations-study-finds-180962381/"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2018,
"month": 1,
"day": 5
},
"text": {
"headline": "Elephant bird genomes resolved",
"text": "Ancient DNA from Madagascan elephant bird eggshells has been sequenced, providing insights into their evolutionary history and clarifying their relationship with other ratites. This research informs the drivers of island megafauna loss and endemism. <a href='https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28089793/' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://datadryad.org/dataset/doi%3A10.5061/dryad.6h3q7' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28089793/",
"https://datadryad.org/dataset/doi%3A10.5061/dryad.6h3q7"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2019,
"month": 5,
"day": 6
},
"text": {
"headline": "IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services",
"text": "On May 6, 2019, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) released a landmark report warning that one million species are at risk of extinction due to human activities. The report emphasizes the need for transformative changes in policy to halt biodiversity loss and promote restoration efforts. <a href='https://www.ipbes.net/news/Media-Release-Global-Assessment' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://iucn.org/news/global-policy/201905/iucn-welcomes-intergovernmental-platforms-assessment-biodiversity-and-ecosystem-services' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.ipbes.net/news/Media-Release-Global-Assessment",
"https://iucn.org/news/global-policy/201905/iucn-welcomes-intergovernmental-platforms-assessment-biodiversity-and-ecosystem-services"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2021,
"month": 9,
"day": 13
},
"text": {
"headline": "Colossal Biosciences Launches Woolly Mammoth De-Extinction Project",
"text": "On September 13, 2021, Colossal Biosciences, co-founded by geneticist George Church and entrepreneur Ben Lamm, announced a project to revive the woolly mammoth using CRISPR gene-editing technology. The initiative aims to create elephant-mammoth hybrids capable of inhabiting Arctic environments, raising questions about governance, ethics, and ecological impact. <a href='https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/13/science/woolly-mammoth-resurrection.html' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/mammoth-elephant-hybrids-could-be-created-within-the-decade-should-they-be' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/13/science/woolly-mammoth-resurrection.html",
"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/mammoth-elephant-hybrids-could-be-created-within-the-decade-should-they-be"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2022,
"month": 12,
"day": 19
},
"text": {
"headline": "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Adopted",
"text": "On December 19, 2022, nations adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, setting ambitious targets for ecosystem restoration and species recovery. The framework includes commitments to restore at least 30% of degraded ecosystems and to conserve 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas by 2030, emphasizing ecological connectivity and the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities. <a href='https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2022/12/press-release-nations-adopt-four-goals-23-targets-for-2030-in-landmark-un-biodiversity-agreement/' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://iucn.org/iucn-statement/202212/iucn-welcomes-post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework-important-step-towards' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2022/12/press-release-nations-adopt-four-goals-23-targets-for-2030-in-landmark-un-biodiversity-agreement/",
"https://iucn.org/iucn-statement/202212/iucn-welcomes-post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework-important-step-towards"
]
},
{
"start_date": {
"year": 2023,
"month": 7,
"day": 12
},
"text": {
"headline": "EU Parliament Approves Nature Restoration Law",
"text": "On July 12, 2023, the European Parliament narrowly passed the Nature Restoration Law, mandating recovery measures for at least 20% of the EU's land and sea by 2030. This legislation aims to reverse biodiversity loss and restore degraded ecosystems, marking a significant step in the EU's environmental policy. <a href='https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/12/eu-passes-nature-restoration-law-vote-meps' target='_blank'>[source]</a> <a href='https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/07/12/nature-restoration-law-survives-knife-edge-vote-in-the-european-parliament-amid-right-wing' target='_blank'>[source]</a>"
},
"background": {
"color": "#8c5a3c"
},
"promptId": "p_mgdwzprl_xcxj",
"sources": [
"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/12/eu-passes-nature-restoration-law-vote-meps",
"https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/07/12/nature-restoration-law-survives-knife-edge-vote-in-the-european-parliament-amid-right-wing"
]
}
],
"timelineTitle": "Timeline Research"
}
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