Extinction

What does extinction mean?

• Extinction occurs when no members of a species remain alive.

• It can happen gradually over time or suddenly due to catastrophic events.

How does extinction relate to evolution?

• Extinction removes species that cannot adapt.

• It allows new species to evolve and fill ecological niches.

• It is a natural part of evolution, but human activity has accelerated extinctions.

What factors can cause extinction?

1⃣ Environmental Changes – Climate change, habitat destruction.
2⃣ New Predators – Invasive species or evolved predators.
3⃣ New Diseases – Bacterial or viral outbreaks.
4⃣ Competition – More successful species outcompete others.
5⃣ Catastrophic Events – Asteroids, supervolcanoes, earthquakes.
6⃣ Human Activity – Pollution, deforestation, hunting.

How does climate change lead to extinction?

• Extreme temperatures – Species may not survive hotter or colder climates.

• Changes in food supply – Plants and prey may die out.

• Rising sea levels – Destroys coastal habitats and islands.

• Extreme weather – More droughts, floods, hurricanes.

How do new predators and competitors cause extinction?

• New predators kill species that lack defenses.

• New competitors outcompete native species for food and shelter.

How do diseases contribute to extinction?

• New diseases can spread rapidly in a species.

• If no individuals are resistant, the entire population dies and is wiped out

How can natural disasters cause mass extinction?

🌋 Supervolcanoes – Ash blocks sunlight, causing a global winter.
☄ Asteroid Impacts – Tsunamis, firestorms, and climate change follow.
🌊 Tsunamis and Earthquakes – Destroy habitats and food sources.

What is a mass extinction?

• A mass extinction is when many species become extinct in a short time.

• It is usually caused by a major environmental change or catastrophic event.

How do human activities lead to species extinction?

• Deforestation – Removes habitats and food sources.

• Pollution – Plastics, chemicals, and oil spills harm wildlife.

• Overfishing and Hunting – Kills species faster than they can reproduce.

• Climate Change – Rising temperatures and extreme weather.

How can we protect endangered species?

✅ Conservation efforts – Protecting habitats and national parks.
✅ Captive breeding programs – Zoos and reserves breed endangered animals.
✅ Laws and regulations – Hunting bans and protection laws.
✅ Reducing climate change – Cutting CO₂ emissions and using renewable energy.