Species Singularity as a Common Driver of Mass Extinctions and a Harbinger of the Next

Mass extinctions, marked by rapid biodiversity loss, share ecological signatures: vegetation decline, oxygen depletion, and carbon dioxide spikes. We propose the “species singularity hypothesis,” where unchecked dominance by a single species destabilizes ecosystems, triggering cascades that amplify abiotic stressors like volcanism or impacts. Across the five major extinctions, paleontological data reveal consistent patterns—algal blooms, floral monopolies, or faunal overexploitation—driving ecological collapse. In the Anthropocene, humanity’s population growth, coupled with technological advances such as artificial intelligence and robotics, mirrors these dynamics, accelerating habitat loss and atmospheric disruption. Microbial shifts, including antibiotic resistance and synthetic organisms, further destabilize ecosystems, suggesting a sixth extinction is underway. This framework integrates biotic and abiotic drivers, offering a novel perspective on extinction mechanisms. It underscores the urgency of mitigating human and technological impacts to preserve Earth’s biosphere.