What is coextinction?

Answer 1

Coextinction refers to the phenomenon where the extinction of one species leads to the extinction of another species that is dependent on it for survival. This often occurs in interconnected ecosystems, where species have specific ecological relationships, such as predator-prey or mutualistic interactions. For example, if a plant species goes extinct, the insects that rely on it for food may also vanish. This cascading effect highlights the importance of biodiversity and the intricate links within ecosystems.