Dictionary Entry
background extinction rate
nounFind the meaning of the word background extinction rate, plus dictionary definition, pronunciation, thesaurus-style synonyms, antonyms, and related vocabulary.
1
Meaning
Dictionary meaning in a clear, student-friendly format.
the natural, non-crisis rate at which species go extinct, estimated from the fossil record as approximately 0.1–1 extinctions per million species per year
Example Sentence
Scientists compare today’s losses to the background extinction rate to gauge if we are entering a sixth mass extinction.
Usage Note
Use the term when discussing conservation metrics, comparing current species loss to prehistoric norms, or setting policy thresholds.