What is the EVOLUTIONARY advantage of death?

All flora and fauna seem to practice it. So what's the point? What advantage is gained by dying? Neither do I understand what connection death has with reproduction. Why croak after fun-in-the-sun, as is so often the case?Please try to limit your responses to evolutionary and / or biological reasons or speculations. I know all about the *sin* aspect.(:raig

I didn't mean to imply a choice, sidelined. Sorry. I know we don't. But there would seem to be a huge evolutiuonary advantage to a creature that can patch itself back together as to one, as you say, is "subject to degradation from interaction with the environment."As to the link between death and reproduction. It is the final act for many species. The mayfly, Pacific salmon and 17 year locust come to mind. So why give up the ghost when a species can remain alive and elbow out the competition for limited resources. It seems to me you give up any advantage by dying. Only a living plant or animal can be opportunistic.(:raig

If I were to repost my orginal message, I should have asked what the evolutionary advantage is to AGING. I understand that this is genetically controlled to a certain degree. So, it would seem that those individuals that can poop AND get off the pot can bestow an evolutionary advantage to the suvivability of their offspring? Their species?I seems to be making an intellecual connection between survivability through reproduction and death to get out of the way.*Oh crap. Here come the theologians. Gotta go. Be back on Monday.*(:raig

"The thread title is a bit strange. What would be the advantage without death?"*******************************Hi Mammuthus,Yes, I agree. The topic title is a bit Off Topic. After reviewing replies, I realized that I was really asking about aging. Recent medical advances have certainly thrown a wrench into the whole "death with dignity" schtick. I must conclude from all I've read that biological death goes with the territory and that's how it should be.I look at all the attempts to allow people to live into their hundreds and then look at pictures of Bob Hope and George Burns in their final days. Either they were well pickled or had a formaldehyde gene that I was unaware of. In either case, I say "No thanks. Let Nature takes it's course."Thanks to all for excellent posts. More fun than graduate school and infinitely cheaper.(:raig