Study: Plant-animal diversity is dwindling

Published: Sept. 27, 2007 at 2:00 PM

DAVIS, Calif., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggested that human activities are eliminating the biological diversity in plants and animals at an unprecedented rate.

Such diversity produces a rich and robust assemblage of foods, medicines, industrial materials and recreation activities, said University of California-Davis Professor Sharon Strauss.

Strauss and former doctoral student Richard Llankan focused their research on competition among genetically varied plants of one species -- black mustard, Brassica nigra -- and among black mustard and plants of other species.

"This is one of the first studies to show that genetic diversity and species diversity depend on each other," Lankau said. "Diversity within a species is necessary to maintain diversity among species and, at the same time, diversity among species is necessary to maintain diversity within a species.

"And if any one type is removed from the system, the cycle can break down and the community becomes dominated by a single species."

The research, funded by the National Science Foundation, was published in the journal Science.

© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
NHL: Nashville 7, Tampa Bay 4 (7 min)
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers 96, Chicago 87 (9 min)
UPI Sports Calendar for Wednesday, Dec. 16 (24 min)
NHL: Minnesota 2, Columbus 1 (37 min)
COL BKB: Texas 104, Texas-Pan American 42 (47 min)
UPI NewsTrack Sports (54 min)
NBA: Miami 115, Toronto 95 (58 min)
fark
City commissioner is asked to put nativity scene on courthouse lawn, but decides a flashing T-Rex...
Ultimate conundrum: there's a naked woman in your yard, but she has a sword and is screaming. What's...
Woman led long campaign to have window blinds and shades recalled, all because she didn't pay attention...
Swallow rehab for chicks. This could also work for boobies and tits
You are a responding officer on a call about a woman on a school campus "injuring herself" with...
Photoshop this man jumping through hoops