Mysteries of Evolution

In geological terms, humans have existed for only a brief instant, a mere blink in the planet’s vast history. Nevertheless, this episode demonstrates that we have already significantly altered the evolutionary trajectories of many animal species across diverse ecosystems worldwide.

Human Influenced is a programme presented as a single episode. It is listed under the type “programme” and falls within the episode genre, offering a concise, self‑contained look at a particular subject. The episode points out that, when measured against geological time, humanity’s presence is almost fleeting – barely a blink in the Earth’s deep history. Yet, within that brief window, the film demonstrates how people have managed to steer the evolutionary direction of a wide range of animal species. By focusing on this contrast between the short span of human existence and the lasting imprint on animal evolution, the programme underscores the extent of our impact. It shows that, despite our recent arrival on the planet, we have already altered the natural pathways that many creatures would otherwise have followed.