Since 1800, which group of species has the highest extinction rate?

The group with the highest extinction rate since 1800 is indeed plants and mollusks. This is largely attributed to a combination of factors such as habitat destruction due to urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation, as well as pollution and climate change. Mollusks, particularly freshwater species, have been severely affected, with numerous species going extinct due to alterations in their habitats and water quality.

Plants have also faced significant threats from habitat loss and invasive species that outcompete native flora. The extinction rate among these two groups highlights how sensitive ecosystems can be to human activity, and the cascading impact such losses can have on biodiversity and ecosystem health. Previous extinction events in these categories serve as critical reminders of the fragility of our natural world and the importance of conservation efforts.

Other groups, such as birds and amphibians, while also experiencing high extinction rates, have not matched the overall loss seen in plants and mollusks. Similarly, mammals and reptiles have faced their challenges, but again, the specific impacts on plants and mollusks have resulted in a higher cumulative extinction rate for those groups since 1800. This highlights the importance of ongoing conservation efforts targeted at these critically affected species.