EO Wilson The process of evolution - Essay Example

The Process of Evolution For most species, a pattern of increase in their subgroups shows an alternation in radiation and their extinction. According to Archibald, in page 46, the pattern of radiation and alternating the extinction has a long-term effect on species. For example, in mammals such as manatees, their existence shows an illustration of an opposite lineage that moved from land years ago to the sea. The manatees radiated as ecological replacements for dinosaurs which had already filled the ecological niche as Palaeocene.

Therefore, this shows that there exists a connection with the rise and fall of a higher taxon and that of an equivalent species. The fall of one set of species, such as dinosaurs later gives a rise to another set of species (Archibald 46).Yes, Wilson’s statement on loss of genetic and species diversity is true. As Wilson states, the actions brought about by human beings throughout the history seem to always result to the extinction of certain species. The whole process of life or existence is necessary for preservation of species (Wilson 121).

It is also evident that the diversity of genetics and species is a biological necessity (Roberts 31). Species and genetic diversity is extremely important for the survival of all species. For example, if human beings lost their genetic diversity, such as the loss of the Y chromosome, only women would exist in the world. Of course, without a diverse population of men and women, having a future population would be uncertain. It is also apparent today, that genetic diversity in different people has enabled the human race to ward off certain diseases, particularly viruses.

As Robert indicates in page 31 her book, a non-fatal change to a human reproductive cell is likely to result to the change being passed to other generations. Therefore, the loss of such diversity means that no one would be immune to any virus because a generation in the past is not able to pass the immunity to future generations. Works CitedArchibald, David. Extinction and Radiation: How the Fall of Dinosaurs Led to the Rise of Mammals. Baltimore: JHU Press, 2011. Roberts, Jane. Environmental Policy.

Brighton: Psychology Press, 2004. Wilson, Edward. Biophilia. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2009.