Animal Extinction and Conservation

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Questions and Answers

Match the following species with their conservation status:

Amur tiger = Recovered to over 500 individuals Mountain gorilla = Critically endangered Blue whale = Endangered due to hunting Bees = Facing habitat pressures

Match the following conservation efforts to their outcomes:

Protecting whales = Vital to the carbon cycle Protecting mountain gorillas = Collaboration with local communities Banning hunting of other prey = Rapid recovery of Amur tiger population Habitat protection for bees = Critical for crop pollination

Match the following ecological concepts with their definitions:

Ecosystem disruption = Serious consequences for biodiversity Genetic variation = Increases species’ chances of survival Food chain linkage = Interconnectedness of species Conservation efforts = Actions to protect endangered species

Match the following actions with their contributions to species survival:

Banning hunting of tigers = Increase in natural prey populations Engaging local communities = Support for conservation initiatives Restoration of habitats = Support for biodiversity Protecting food chains = Enhancement of species recovery Signup and view all the answers

Match the following species with their primary threats:

Tigers = Hunting and habitat loss Bees = Habitat pressures Gorillas = Potential extinction without conservation Whales = Historical hunting practices Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms to their related concepts:

Phytoplankton = Absorbs carbon dioxide DNA pool = Variation in genetic material Ecosystem health = Sustains biodiversity Endangered species = Requires protection for survival Signup and view all the answers

Match the following regions with the species they are home to:

Russia = Amur tiger Central Africa = Mountain gorilla Oceans = Blue whale Global ecosystems = Bees Signup and view all the answers

Match the following actions with their ecological impact:

Restricting hunting = Revival of prey populations Cooperation with governments = Enhanced habitat protection for gorillas Conservation interventions = Improved status of endangered species Safeguarding ecosystems = Prevention of biodiversity loss Signup and view all the answers

Match the following animal species with their conservation status or historical context:

Gray whale = Hunted to near extinction, now recovering Arabian gazelle = Once in decline, now increasing Lemurs = Wiped out due to habitat destruction Orangutans = Threatened by increasing human population Signup and view all the answers

Match the following factors to their effects on species extinction:

Hunting = Direct reduction of population numbers Habitat destruction = Loss of living space and resources Limited gene pool = Increased risk of weaknesses Protected status = Legal measures to prevent hunting Signup and view all the answers

Match the following estimates with their significance in extinction rates:

0.01% = Potential extinction rate for species annually 0.1% = Higher estimate of species extinction rate 900 = Lowest annual extinction estimate 9,000 = Highest annual extinction estimate Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms related to biodiversity loss:

Extinction = Permanent loss of a species Endangerment = Species at risk of extinction Conservation = Efforts to protect species Biodiversity = Variety of life in an ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

Match the following descriptions with their corresponding animals:

Gray whale = Once had three main groups across oceans Lemurs = Primates increasingly threatened by habitat loss Orangutans = Endangered due to deforestation Arabian gazelle = Rebounding due to conservation efforts Signup and view all the answers

Match the following conservation concepts with their definitions:

Protected status = Legal frameworks to safeguard species Breeding from low numbers = Risks connected to genetic diversity Human population growth = Major driver of habitat destruction Medicinal resources = Nature's contribution to human health Signup and view all the answers

Match the following years with their significance in animal conservation:

1940s = Gray whale population dropped to fewer than 2,000 80 years ago = Gray whale gained protected status 1990s = Gray whale population rebounded over 23,000 Current projection = Human population set to peak at nine billion Signup and view all the answers

Match the following animals with their corresponding challenges to survival:

Gray whale = Twice hunted to near extinction Arabian gazelle = Limited gene pool risk Lemurs = Habitat loss due to human activity Orangutans = Threat of extinction from deforestation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Animal Extinction

There are an estimated nine million species of animals, and we are still discovering new species.
It is estimated that between 0.01% and 0.1% of all species could become extinct every year, with this rate leading to between 900 and 9,000 extinctions annually.
Some animals that were near extinction have been brought back from the brink of extinction.

Factors Contributing to Extinction

Hunting and habitat destruction are major contributors to animal extinction and near-extinction.
The gray whale, once hunted to near extinction, now has a protected status and its population has recovered to over 23,000.

Impact of Small Populations

Small populations experience a limited gene pool, which can lead to weakness and inability to survive.
The Arabian gazelle once faced decline but has recovered due to protective measures aimed at increasing genetic variation.

Importance of Ecosystem Protection

Protecting the wider food chain can aid in increasing the population of endangered species.
The Amur tiger has recovered to over 500 individuals thanks to the protection of its prey animals, such as boars and deer.

Ecosystem Disruption

Damage to a key part of an ecosystem can affect multiple species.
The mountain gorilla population has thrived due to conservation efforts that protect their habitat.
Bee populations are facing challenges due to habitat degradation, which could lead to food shortages as pollination is disrupted.

Consequences of Human Actions

Protecting whales in the 1960s was initially seen as an endangered species protection measure, but it also benefits the carbon cycle.
Whale feces, rich in iron, nourish phytoplankton, leading to increased carbon dioxide absorption.
Extensive whale hunting caused a decrease in phytoplankton populations, further demonstrating unintended consequences of human actions.

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Description

Explore the alarming rates of animal extinction, the factors contributing to this crisis, and the efforts made to recover endangered species. Learn about the importance of ecosystem protection and the implications of small populations on biodiversity.