Endangered & Extinct Species

What does endangered mean?

A species that is at high risk of becoming extinct.

What does extinct mean?

A species has no living individuals remaining.

What is habitat loss?

When an organism's natural habitat is destroyed, reduced or changed.

What are 6 causes of species becoming endangered?

Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, introduced species, overhunting/overfishing and disease.

How can climate change cause species to become endangered?

Changes in temperature, rainfall and extreme weather can make habitats unsuitable for organisms.

How can pollution cause species to become endangered?

Pollution can contaminate food, water and habitats, harming organisms and reducing their populations.

How can habitat destruction cause extinction?

Organisms lose food, shelter and breeding areas, causing populations to decrease and potentially reach zero.

What is biodiversity?

The variety of different living organisms in an area.

Why is biodiversity important?

It helps ecosystems remain healthy and stable because different organisms perform different roles.