Mass ExtinctionMass Extinction

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

How many species have already How many species have already been discovered on Earth? been discovered on Earth?

How many animal/plant species How many animal/plant species go extinct every year? go extinct every year?

What do you think, is the biggest What do you think, is the biggest cause of extinction? cause of extinction?

ExtinctionExtinction

An extinct species is one that is An extinct species is one that is no longer living on Earth.no longer living on Earth.

Examples: Examples: The Dodo The Dodo Passenger PigeonPassenger Pigeon Tasmanian Wolf Tasmanian Wolf Carolina ParakeetCarolina Parakeet

Terms To Know Terms To Know

Vulnerable SpeciesVulnerable Species: A species at risk : A species at risk because of low or declining numbers, but not because of low or declining numbers, but not a threatened species. a threatened species.

Threatened SpeciesThreatened Species: A species whose : A species whose population is not yet low enough to be in population is not yet low enough to be in danger of extinction, but they face serious danger of extinction, but they face serious problems. If problems aren’t resolved, they problems. If problems aren’t resolved, they will become endangered. will become endangered.

Endangered SpeciesEndangered Species: A plant or animal : A plant or animal species that is in immediate danger of species that is in immediate danger of becoming extinct. becoming extinct.

Extinct SpeciesExtinct Species: One that no longer exists on : One that no longer exists on Earth.Earth.

Previous Mass Previous Mass ExtinctionsExtinctions 5 great extinction events in the past. 5 great extinction events in the past. Each one destroyed 50-95% of the life of the Each one destroyed 50-95% of the life of the

day.day. The most recent, was the dinosaurs. The most recent, was the dinosaurs. Usually driven by geological processes such as Usually driven by geological processes such as

asteroids, volcanoes and sudden climate shifts.asteroids, volcanoes and sudden climate shifts. Usually take millions of years to happen.Usually take millions of years to happen. The 6The 6thth great extinction is happening right now. great extinction is happening right now. Called The Holocene Extinction Event. Called The Holocene Extinction Event. It will take place in only a matter of decades. It will take place in only a matter of decades. The destroying of habitats, overexploitation The destroying of habitats, overexploitation

and human induced climate change have and human induced climate change have increased during the 20increased during the 20thth century. century.

Previous Mass Previous Mass ExtinctionsExtinctions Scientists believe the last mass extinction Scientists believe the last mass extinction

was the dinosaurs caused by a meteor was the dinosaurs caused by a meteor

collision.collision.

Permian Extinction Permian Extinction

Happened at the end of the Permian period, Happened at the end of the Permian period, 251 million years ago.251 million years ago.

Volcanic eruptions created a buildup of carbon Volcanic eruptions created a buildup of carbon dioxide, which was then called global dioxide, which was then called global warming. warming.

6 degree Celsius increase in global 6 degree Celsius increase in global temperature. temperature.

Killed 95% of species on Earth.Killed 95% of species on Earth. Called “The Great Dying”. Called “The Great Dying”. Took 100 million years for species diversity to Took 100 million years for species diversity to

return to normal levels. return to normal levels.

How It Relates To How It Relates To Today? Today? Today, carbon dioxide is coming from our Today, carbon dioxide is coming from our

industrial activities and lifestyle. industrial activities and lifestyle. Estimated at the end of this century there Estimated at the end of this century there

will be a 6 degree Celsius increase in global will be a 6 degree Celsius increase in global temp. if we don’t make changes.temp. if we don’t make changes.

Global warming is already affecting timing of Global warming is already affecting timing of seasons and animals bearing young earlier seasons and animals bearing young earlier than at beginning of 20than at beginning of 20thth century. century.

If 95% of species die out then, humans will If 95% of species die out then, humans will be one of them. be one of them.

Holocene ExtinctionHolocene Extinction 1.5 million species have already been 1.5 million species have already been

discovered on Earth to date. discovered on Earth to date. Actual amount of species is estimated Actual amount of species is estimated

between 10 and 100 million, that we don’t between 10 and 100 million, that we don’t know of. know of.

Approx. 150-270 species are erased from Approx. 150-270 species are erased from existence everyday. Including today. existence everyday. Including today.

The majority of life on Earth has never been The majority of life on Earth has never been and never will be known to us. and never will be known to us.

If we keep up what we’re doing now If we keep up what we’re doing now (pollution, deforestation), it will lead to the (pollution, deforestation), it will lead to the extinction of half of all plant and animal extinction of half of all plant and animal species by year 2100. species by year 2100.

Holocene ExtinctionHolocene Extinction The dangers of mass extinction are The dangers of mass extinction are

underestimated by almost everyone!underestimated by almost everyone! Humans are currently causing the greatest Humans are currently causing the greatest

mass extinction since dinosaurs.mass extinction since dinosaurs. 7 in 10 biologists believe this mass extinction 7 in 10 biologists believe this mass extinction

is a threat to human existence. It’s a more is a threat to human existence. It’s a more serious problem than global warming.serious problem than global warming.

They believe we are in the middle of the They believe we are in the middle of the fastest mass extinction in the world’s history.fastest mass extinction in the world’s history.

The rate of loss is greater than any time in The rate of loss is greater than any time in history, including when the dinosaurs died by history, including when the dinosaurs died by a meteor collision.a meteor collision.

Holocene Extinction Holocene Extinction - The Earth is currently losing about 30,000 The Earth is currently losing about 30,000

species of plants, animals and insects a year.species of plants, animals and insects a year.- That is about 3 species every hour! Lost forever. That is about 3 species every hour! Lost forever. - It will take millions of years to repair what we It will take millions of years to repair what we

destroy in just a few decades. destroy in just a few decades.

Causes Causes - These factors lead to the endangerment and These factors lead to the endangerment and

extinction of species. extinction of species. - Habitat DestructionHabitat Destruction- Fast paced changes= little or no time for Fast paced changes= little or no time for

species to react and adjust to new species to react and adjust to new circumstances. circumstances.

- Primary cause of species endangerment. Primary cause of species endangerment. - Humans are what cause this destruction. Humans are what cause this destruction. - Tropical forests are highly susceptible to Tropical forests are highly susceptible to

destruction. destruction. - Examples of habitat destruction: Clear cutting, Examples of habitat destruction: Clear cutting,

destroying by fire, logging, mining, expanding destroying by fire, logging, mining, expanding human settlements and building new towns human settlements and building new towns and cities. and cities.

CausesCauses- Everyday about 100 species are lost due to Everyday about 100 species are lost due to

deforestation. That’s about 27,000 species a deforestation. That’s about 27,000 species a year!year!

- Over half of the Earth’s original forests have Over half of the Earth’s original forests have disappeared.disappeared.

- Tropical forests contain half of the Earth’s Tropical forests contain half of the Earth’s species. species.

- 17 million hectares are cleared/burned every 17 million hectares are cleared/burned every year. year.

- URBANIZATION URBANIZATION - Increased habitat loss. Increased habitat loss. - Bulldozing, paving, development, etc. for houses, Bulldozing, paving, development, etc. for houses,

malls, businesses and roads all destroy habitat.malls, businesses and roads all destroy habitat.

Causes Causes Illegal Wildlife Trade/OverexploitationIllegal Wildlife Trade/Overexploitation Caused by the trade in animal parts. Caused by the trade in animal parts. Body Parts Trade. Body Parts Trade. Demands for items like rhino horns, walrus Demands for items like rhino horns, walrus

tusks and tiger bones in SE Asian countries tusks and tiger bones in SE Asian countries like China.like China.

Live animals are taken for the pet trade or Live animals are taken for the pet trade or their parts exported for medicines or food. their parts exported for medicines or food.

Thousands of species= part of the illegal Thousands of species= part of the illegal international wildlife trade. international wildlife trade.

Ex. African/Asian elephants, parrots, rhinos, Ex. African/Asian elephants, parrots, rhinos, antelopes.antelopes.

Causes massive declines in the numbers of Causes massive declines in the numbers of many species.many species.

CausesCauses Wildlife Trade ContinuedWildlife Trade Continued Fur Trade. Fur Trade. Popular ins the 1950’s and 1960’s. Popular ins the 1950’s and 1960’s. In the 1960’s, pelts of 10,000 leopards, 15,000 In the 1960’s, pelts of 10,000 leopards, 15,000

jaguars and 3000 cheetahs were legally jaguars and 3000 cheetahs were legally imported in the US and Europe every year!imported in the US and Europe every year!

Non existent now but it definitely contributed.Non existent now but it definitely contributed. Bushmeat Trade.Bushmeat Trade. The consumption of meat of wild animals for The consumption of meat of wild animals for

food in central Africa. food in central Africa. Main source of income for residents. Main source of income for residents.

Causes Causes Bushmeat Trade Continued.. Bushmeat Trade Continued.. Hunting for bushmeat may even outrank Hunting for bushmeat may even outrank

habitat loss of rainforest animals. habitat loss of rainforest animals. Most common bushmeat is primates. Most common bushmeat is primates. Contributes to animal extinction and linked to Contributes to animal extinction and linked to

many diseases. many diseases.

CausesCauses Global Warming and PollutionGlobal Warming and Pollution Humans releasing carbon dioxide, chemicals Humans releasing carbon dioxide, chemicals

and greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere and greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere which causes climate change to take place. which causes climate change to take place.

The warming of the global climate then The warming of the global climate then happens.happens.

Pollution affects mainly aquatic species. Pollution affects mainly aquatic species. Chemicals cause mutations and fertility Chemicals cause mutations and fertility

problems.problems. Seen mostly in fish and polar bears.Seen mostly in fish and polar bears. A chemical commonly found in shampoos is A chemical commonly found in shampoos is

responsible for causing many fish in the responsible for causing many fish in the ocean to not reproduce. ocean to not reproduce.

Fish populations are decreasing. Fish populations are decreasing. As global temperature rise, many species will As global temperature rise, many species will

be forced into extinction. be forced into extinction.

CausesCauses

Sewage dumped in water affects fish, frogs, etc.Sewage dumped in water affects fish, frogs, etc. 50% of freshwater species populations are 50% of freshwater species populations are

declining from pollution and pesticides. declining from pollution and pesticides. Global warming puts at least 20-40% of Global warming puts at least 20-40% of

plant/animal species at risk of extinction. plant/animal species at risk of extinction. Commercial FishingCommercial Fishing Overfishing affects fish populations and they Overfishing affects fish populations and they

begin to decrease.begin to decrease. About 1000 whales and dolphins drown About 1000 whales and dolphins drown

everyday from getting tangled in fishing gear. everyday from getting tangled in fishing gear.

CausesCauses

PesticidePesticide Spraying pesticides affects the insect Spraying pesticides affects the insect

populations.populations. DiseasesDiseases Rabies is currently destroying carnivore Rabies is currently destroying carnivore

populations in East Africa.populations in East Africa.

Charts Charts

ChartsCharts

Charts Charts

How You Can HelpHow You Can Help

Visit a national park or wildlife reserve and Visit a national park or wildlife reserve and appreciate the animals. Follow the appreciate the animals. Follow the guidelines, like fire regulations, don’t litter guidelines, like fire regulations, don’t litter and leave flowers and plants where you find and leave flowers and plants where you find them.them.

Make space for wildlife. Build a birdhouse or Make space for wildlife. Build a birdhouse or have a birdbath, plant a tree, compost your have a birdbath, plant a tree, compost your wastes and don’t use harmful chemicals in wastes and don’t use harmful chemicals in your home or garden. your home or garden.

Recycle, Reduce and Reuse. Carpool, take Recycle, Reduce and Reuse. Carpool, take public transportation, walk, ride bikes. public transportation, walk, ride bikes.

How You Can Help How You Can Help Turn lights and appliances off when not using them. Turn lights and appliances off when not using them. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth.Turn off the tap while brushing teeth. Take your own bags to the grocery store. Take your own bags to the grocery store. Use energy efficient light bulbs. Use energy efficient light bulbs. Buy organic fruits and veggies. Buy organic fruits and veggies. Join an organization like WWF Canada or one in your Join an organization like WWF Canada or one in your

community.community.

Facts and Stats Facts and Stats

There are more than 1000 endangered species There are more than 1000 endangered species worldwide. worldwide.

There are more than 3500 protected wildlife areas in There are more than 3500 protected wildlife areas in the world. They cover 5 million sq. miles or 3% of our the world. They cover 5 million sq. miles or 3% of our total land area. total land area.

1/31/3rdrd of the United State's fish species are in trouble. of the United State's fish species are in trouble. More than 16,000 of the world’s mammals, birds and More than 16,000 of the world’s mammals, birds and

plants are threatened with extinction. plants are threatened with extinction. Most species in the world, will become extinct before Most species in the world, will become extinct before

they are even known to man. they are even known to man. ¼ of the known 5487 wild mammal species on the ¼ of the known 5487 wild mammal species on the

planet are threatened with extinction. That’s 1372 planet are threatened with extinction. That’s 1372 mammals, almost gone from the face of the Earth.mammals, almost gone from the face of the Earth.

Humans are responsible for all of these problems. Humans are responsible for all of these problems.

Facts and Stats Facts and Stats 12% of all birds, 33% of amphibians and 50% of palm 12% of all birds, 33% of amphibians and 50% of palm

trees are threatened with extinction. trees are threatened with extinction. Climate change alone could lead to further extinction Climate change alone could lead to further extinction

of 15-37% of all species by the end of the century.of 15-37% of all species by the end of the century. There are 25 biodiversity hotspots– areas of the world There are 25 biodiversity hotspots– areas of the world

that are rich in species found nowhere else. They that are rich in species found nowhere else. They cover 1% of the global land mass yet account for 44% cover 1% of the global land mass yet account for 44% of the plants and 35% of the world’s animals. of the plants and 35% of the world’s animals.

Between 1960 and 2000, human population of the Between 1960 and 2000, human population of the world has doubled but the animal populations have world has doubled but the animal populations have declined by 30%.declined by 30%.

137 species are estimated to go extinct each day.137 species are estimated to go extinct each day. 50,000 species are estimated to go extinct each year. 50,000 species are estimated to go extinct each year. 95% of known plant species have not yet been 95% of known plant species have not yet been

screened for their medicinal values. screened for their medicinal values.

Facts and StatsFacts and Stats

30 million species of plants and animals, more than 30 million species of plants and animals, more than half of all life forms on the plant, live in rainforests. half of all life forms on the plant, live in rainforests.

And rainforests are the most susceptible to And rainforests are the most susceptible to destruction. destruction.

Since the year 1600, 83 mammal species are known Since the year 1600, 83 mammal species are known to have become extinct. to have become extinct.

Why Save Endangered Why Save Endangered Species? Species? They must be protected and saved so that future They must be protected and saved so that future

generations can experience their value. generations can experience their value. MEDICINAL VALUESMEDICINAL VALUES Plants and animals are responsible for many useful Plants and animals are responsible for many useful

medicines.medicines. 40% of all prescriptions written today are made of natural 40% of all prescriptions written today are made of natural

compounds from different species. compounds from different species. These species help save lives and contribute to a These species help save lives and contribute to a

pharmaceutical industry. pharmaceutical industry. Only 5% of known plant species have been screened for Only 5% of known plant species have been screened for

their medicinal values and we lose up to 100 of these their medicinal values and we lose up to 100 of these species daily. species daily.

Some species could have important compounds needed Some species could have important compounds needed for medicine, but because they are disappearing so fast, for medicine, but because they are disappearing so fast, we will never be able to find out. we will never be able to find out.

Why Save Endangered Why Save Endangered Species? Species? More than 3 million heart disease sufferers would die More than 3 million heart disease sufferers would die

within 72 hours of a heart attack, without a drug from within 72 hours of a heart attack, without a drug from the purple fox grove. the purple fox grove.

AGRICULTURAL VALUESAGRICULTURAL VALUES 80,000 edible plants in the world. Humans depend on 80,000 edible plants in the world. Humans depend on

20 species of these, like corn and wheat to provide 20 species of these, like corn and wheat to provide 90% of the world’s food. 90% of the world’s food.

ECOLOGICAL ECOLOGICAL Plant and animal species are the foundation of healthy Plant and animal species are the foundation of healthy

ecosystems. ecosystems. Humans depend on ecosystems like prairie grasslands Humans depend on ecosystems like prairie grasslands

and ancient forests to supply us with food and purify and ancient forests to supply us with food and purify the air. the air.

When species become endangered it means the When species become endangered it means the ecosystems are not healthy.ecosystems are not healthy.

Why Save Endangered Why Save Endangered Species? Species? Losing one plant species can trigger the loss of up to 30 Losing one plant species can trigger the loss of up to 30

other plant and animal species. other plant and animal species. Pollution is killing the coral reefs which cause hundreds Pollution is killing the coral reefs which cause hundreds

of fish species to decline. of fish species to decline. COMMERICAL VALUE COMMERICAL VALUE Many wild species are commercially raised which Many wild species are commercially raised which

contributes to the economy.contributes to the economy. Commercial salmon fishing in the Pacific northwest Commercial salmon fishing in the Pacific northwest

provides 60,000 jobs and 1 billion dollars annually in provides 60,000 jobs and 1 billion dollars annually in income.income.

Salmon populations are declining due to habitat Salmon populations are declining due to habitat degradation from dams, clearcutting and overgrazing degradation from dams, clearcutting and overgrazing along streams. along streams.

RECREATIONAL VALUE RECREATIONAL VALUE Plant and animal species form the basis of America’s Plant and animal species form the basis of America’s

tourism industry. tourism industry.

Why Save Endangered Why Save Endangered Species? Species? Every year, over 108 million people in the US Every year, over 108 million people in the US

participate in wildlife related recreation like observing, participate in wildlife related recreation like observing, feeding and photographing wildlife. feeding and photographing wildlife.

Americans spend over $59 billion annually on travel, Americans spend over $59 billion annually on travel, food, lodging, etc. to engage in wildlife recreation. food, lodging, etc. to engage in wildlife recreation.

We depend on plants and animals to survive. We depend on plants and animals to survive. They purify our air, provide us with food and materials They purify our air, provide us with food and materials

for clothes, homes, medicines, books, etc. for clothes, homes, medicines, books, etc. Goods that we may need someday, will come from Goods that we may need someday, will come from

species still unknown to us. (ex. The cure for cancer, species still unknown to us. (ex. The cure for cancer, AIDS) AIDS)

Extinct SpeciesExtinct Species

Extinct SpeciesExtinct Species

Extinct SpeciesExtinct Species

Extinct SpeciesExtinct Species

Critically Endangered Critically Endangered AnimalsAnimals

Endangered AnimalsEndangered Animals

Endangered AnimalsEndangered Animals

Vulnerable AnimalsVulnerable Animals

How To ChangeHow To Change

Helping farmers grow more food while Helping farmers grow more food while conserving habitats. conserving habitats.

Use less polluting farming methods. Use less polluting farming methods. Increasing productivity on land already being Increasing productivity on land already being

farmed to reduce need for more land. farmed to reduce need for more land. Establishing protected areas near farmed Establishing protected areas near farmed

land. land. Cutting back on greenhouse gasses on a Cutting back on greenhouse gasses on a

global scale could save many species. global scale could save many species.