Mathematical model could help predict and prevent future extinctions | Science Blog: "Motter explained further, “We find that extinction cascades can often be mitigated by suppressing–rather than enhancing–the populations of specific species. In numerous cases, it is predicted that even the proactive removal of a species that would otherwise be extinct by a cascade can prevent the extinction of other species.”
The finding may seem counterintuitive to conservationists because the compensatory actions seem to inflict further damage to the system. However, when the entire ecosystem is considered, the effect is beneficial. This news holds promise for those charged with maintaining Earth’s biodiversity and natural resources–the health of which can counteract many of the causes of climate change, and some man-made disasters such as the Gulf of Mexico oil spill."
