The sixth mass extinction Modern extinction The sixth mass extinction

Objectives Define extinction. Give examples of (1) past mass extinctions (2) and recent species extinctions. Compare current extinction rates with background extinction rates. Explore the causes of extinction. Analyse the connection between recent extinctions and human activities.

Questions Why do some species become endangered or extinct? Which species have become extinct in modern times? What are the characteristics of mass extinctions in the past? How do modern extinction rates compare with natural (background) rates? What are the connections between human activities and species extinctions?

Access clip: http://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/video/item881977 The world is singing Teachers you can access this clip here: http://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/video/item881977 Access clip: http://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/video/item881977

The world is singing What are your favourite animals? Describe the natural habitats in which those animals live. http://macaulaylibrary.org/

What extinct species do you know of? What is ? extinction What extinct species do you know of? Try to remember some movies and books about animals that no longer exist on Earth.

Extinct species Tyrannosaurus rex

Woolly mammoth Mammuthus primigenius Extinct species Woolly mammoth Mammuthus primigenius

Passenger pigeon Ectopistes migratorius Extinct species Passenger pigeon Ectopistes migratorius

Extinct species Dodo Raphus cucullatus

Defining extinction Write your definition of the word ‘extinction’. Use the word ‘extinction’ in a sentence.

Understanding extinction You will learn about the concept of extinction and obtain evidence for actual extinctions in Earth’s history and in modern times.

Mass extinction events Teachers you can access this clip here: http://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/video/item881965 Access clip: http://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/video/item881965

Mass extinction events Research online and create a timeline of past mass extinctions. Look out for… The different classifications and levels of species involved in mass extinctions events (taxonomic levels) Different measures of extinction: per cent of taxonomic level extinction rate (e.g. families lost per million years)

Mass extinction events Compare these two graphs. They show mass extinctions over time. Graphic is author’s original. (Click icons to view graphs.)

Mass extinction events: Resource Choose a mass extinction event.

Explaining extinction Create a resource explaining your chosen mass extinction event. Types of resources include: Web page Digital slide presentation E-brochure Your resource should include: fossil and radiometric evidence for dating the event kinds of species that went extinct severity of the event scientific hypotheses that explain the event

Factors that contribute to extinction Write a list of possible contributing factors to species extinction. Place those factors into two categories: natural influences human influences

Mass extinction today: Vanishing species Teachers you can access this clip here: http://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/video/item881981 Access clip: http://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/video/item881981

Case study concept map With your group: Select a species that has gone extinct in modern times. Create a concept map to describe the causes and consequences of the extinction.

Case study concept map: Resources

Case study concept map Include key data in your concept map: species scientific name illustrations or photos if available dates of discovery and extinction biogeographical data location initial population size ecology and behaviour causes of extinction ecological effects of the extinction possible actions that may have prevented the extinction

Your ideas! Create a list of activities that publicise and educate about a possible sixth mass extinction. Ensure that your activities: are feasible and realistic do not require funding ideally could be conducted in a school setting

Reflection Write a short passage describing characteristics of past mass extinctions. Describe how modern extinction rates compare with natural (background) rates. Describe five kinds of human activities that result in species extinctions. List three species that have become extinct due to human activities and the causes of those extinctions.

Resources Data Websites http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/images/evo/extinction_graph2.gif https://www.e-education.psu.edu/earth103/sites/www.e-education.psu.edu.earth103/files/module11/mass_extinctions.png Websites https://www.e-education.psu.edu/earth103/node/713 http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/prehistoric-world/mass-extinction/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/extinction_events http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/03/2/l_032_04.html http://www.iucnredlist.org/ http://www.onekind.org/be_inspired/top_10_lists/extinct/ https://app.discoveryeducation.co.uk/player/view/assetGuid/33fe300d-42ab-4f9e-a2be-fbe41122b9c4 https://app.discoveryeducation.co.uk/player/view/assetGuid/94dbbf27-e949-48e7-ba8e-4dec9e19e21b