• A species that is at risk of extinction.

• Species with a small or declining population, or a very small range.

Tiger Golden frog Grandidier’s baobab

What is an Endangered Species?

• Primary causes spell

Habitat alteration

Invasive species

Pollution

Population growth

Overconsumption

Today, species are disappearing at an extraordinary rate—an estimated 30 to 75 species a day. In most cases, these extinctions are the result of human activity.

Human Impact

HIPPO

TeacherTube Videos - Whats your impactWhat's Your Impact

Habitat alteration The greatest cause of extinction today

Accounts for 85% of population declines of birds and mammals

Habitat change hurts most organisms because they are adapted to an existing habitat.

Alteration due to:

Forest clearing Urban development

Agriculture

Invasive species Accidental or intentional introduction of exotic species to new

areas

Cause problems with native species ex: spread disease

New species do not have predators, usually take over area

- Example : European zebra mussels hitched rides on cargo and cruise ships and now pose a great threat to the health of the Great Lakes and other northeastern United States lakes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDK9uPOtFbU

PollutionCaused by many human activities:

Air and water pollution

- Logging causes soil erosion polluting streams

- cars, power plants release carbon monoxide

and carbon dioxide into air

Agricultural runoff

- fertilizers, animal wastes

Industrial chemicals

- Insecticides, oil spills

Population GrowthHuman population growth exacerbates every other environmental problem.

Today, over 7 billion people are living on Earth.

Each year we add about 80 million more.

This growing population puts tremendous pressure on the Earth’s resources, hastening destruction of habitat and increasing pollution.

Overconsumption

Two meanings:

Overharvesting of species from the wild

(too much hunting, fishing…)

Overconsumption of resources

(too much timber cutting, fossil fuel use…)

Using resources faster than natural processes can replenish them

Habitat alteration

Invasive species

Pollution

Population growth

Overconsumption

HIPPO:

How can you make a difference?

Smart shopping: look for packages that are recyclable or made of recycled materials

Go for a walk ,clean an area by picking up trash

Earth hour: A world-wide initiative to have households, businesses, and schools turn off their electricity for at least one hour to reduce the impact on global climate changes on Earth.

Earth Hour 2012 Official Video – YouTube

Take a shorter shower/ turn off water while brushing your teeth