<p> Name Class Date </p><p>7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Key Concepts Scientists monitor biodiversity closely and have noticed significantly higher than normal extinction rates in recent decades. Habitat change and loss, invasive species, pollution, overharvesting, and climate change are the major causes of biodiversity loss.</p><p>Vocabulary Preview</p><p>Define each vocabulary term in your own words. Then, write yourself a quick note on how you will remember each. One term has been done for you.</p><p>Term Definition How I Remember</p><p>Extirpation</p><p>Endangered A species that has a high risk of An endangered species is in danger species extinction of going extinct.</p><p>Threatened species</p><p>Habitat fragmentation</p><p>Poaching</p><p>. Biodiversity at Risk 1. Is extinction a natural process? Explain.</p><p>2. Compare and contrast extinction with extirpation.</p><p>3. How does the background rate of extinction differ from mass extinctions?</p><p>4. Which type of species is more likely to become extinct, an endangered species or a threatened species? Explain.</p><p>______</p><p>Causes of Biodiversity Loss</p><p>5. Fill in the cause-and-effect diagram with a short description that explains how each process leads to loss of biodiversity.</p><p>Habitat Alteration Invasive Species</p><p>Biodiversity Loss</p><p>Overharvesting Pollution 6. How do the effects of climate change differ from the effects of habitat alteration, invasive species, overharvesting, and pollution?</p><p>7. What human activities lead to habitat loss?</p><p>8. What is the greatest cause of biodiversity loss today?</p><p>9. List two nonnative species—one that is invasive, and another that is not invasive.</p><p>10. Many protected animals are lost to poaching. What is a main motivation behind poaching?</p><p>11. How do warming temperatures affect animals that live in cold climates?</p><p>Answer the questions to test your knowledge of lesson concepts. You can check your work using the answers on the bottom of the page.</p><p>12. What evidence suggests that we could be experiencing a sixth mass extinction?</p><p>12. What information is represented by the Living Planet Index?</p><p>13. List five causes of biodiversity loss.</p><p>14. What is the greatest cause of biodiversity loss today? Explain.</p>