Extinction of Species

What are endangered species?

Species classified as endangered are those whose population has dropped to a point where they are in immediate risk of becoming extinct and whose survival is doubtful if causes contributing to their decline continue to exist.
For Example: The Asiatic Lion, the Bengal Tiger, and the Snow Leopard.

How many species have humans made extinct?

The precise number of species made extinct by humans is challenging to determine due to several factors, including undiscovered species that have gone extinct before being scientifically described, historical extinctions that may not have been accurately recorded, and ongoing debates about the causes of certain extinctions. However, it is widely acknowledged that human activity has significantly accelerated the rate of species extinction.

What are the 10 causes of species extinction?

1. Habitat Destruction: Loss of natural habitats due to human activities.
2. Climate Change: Global warming and changing climates affect species’ survival.
3. Invasive Species: Non-native species outcompete or prey on native species.
4. Pollution: Contaminants harm or kill wildlife and disrupt ecosystems.
5. Overexploitation: Overhunting, fishing, and harvesting reduce species populations.
6. Disease: Spread of diseases can decimate vulnerable species.
7. Pollination Decline: Reduction in pollinator species affects plant reproduction.
8. Pesticides and Herbicides: Chemicals can be toxic to various species.
9. Natural Disasters: Volcanic eruptions, floods, and fires can cause sudden extinction.
10. Human Population Growth: Leads to increased demand for land and resources, exacerbating other factors.

What are endemic species?

Endemic species are those with restricted distributions. It’s not always the case that an endemic species is uncommon or limited in its range. The region that endemism is measured over determines this.
For Example: The Large Ground-Finch is endemic to the Galapagos Islands.

What is the main cause of extinction?

The main factor contributing to increased extinction rates is habitat loss. Additional factors include the introduction of dangerous non-native species, pollution, disease transmission, overexploitation of animals for economic gain, and changes in habitat.

What does extinction of a species mean?

When a species of animal or plant goes extinct, it means that there are no longer any living members of that species anywhere in the globe. This is how evolution works naturally.

What is the difference between endangered and extinct animals?

Endangered animals: The species which are on the verge of extinction and which are required to be protected and conserved are called endangered animals.
Example: Tiger, Wild Buffalo etc.
Extinct animals: The animals that no longer exist on Earth are called extinct animals.
Example: Dinosaurs, Dodo, etc.

Extinction of Species: As per the definition, “Extinction is the process of evolution that leads to the disappearance of a population or species.” In simpler words, Extinction is the death of all members of a species of plants, animals, or other organisms.

In this article, we will study in depth the Extinction of Species. We will take a look at a list of some of the Extinct Species and learn about the cause of Extinction as well.

Let’s explore.