Extinction burst is a term used to describe a phenomenon where a population or species suddenly and dramatically decreases in number, often due to some sort of environmental or human-caused disaster. Despite the seemingly negative connotation, an extinction burst can actually be a very positive and vital stage in the evolution of a species.
At its most extreme, an extinction burst can be the extinction of a species entirely. However, most of the time, an extinction burst is simply the abrupt decrease in the number of a population or species. This can happen for a number of reasons, but the most common is when a species is facing competition from a new or more aggressive species.
When a population is suddenly and dramatically reduced in size, it has a much greater chance of surviving and adapting to its new environment. This is because the population is now smaller and more diverse, which allows it to find new resources and adapt more quickly to changing conditions.
It’s important to remember that an extinction burst doesn’t always lead to the extinction of a species. In fact, it can be a very important step in the evolution of a species.
