Google trick tracks extinctions

Google trick tracks extinctions

news.bbc.co.uk

Google's algorithm for ranking web pages can be adapted to determine which species are critical for sustaining ecosystems, say researchers.

According to a paper in PLoS Computational Biology, "PageRank" can be applied to the study of food webs.

These are the complex networks of who eats whom in an ecosystem.

The scientists say their version of PageRank could be a simple way of working out which extinctions would lead to ecosystem collapse.

news.bbc.co.uk
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[edit on 4-9-2009 by Ibex08]

haha, who would have thought it google is doing some good for the enviroment in a way!

I wonder if they will actually use it though...

[edit on 4-9-2009 by Ibex08]

What an interesting use.

It will be nice to see what they learn.

Strange i know, but i suppose if it can be used then its better to use it to get the edge ahead and see what maybe occur if certain things disappear.