1. The sixth mass extinction
Modern extinction
The sixth mass extinction

2. 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.

3. 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?

4. Access clip: http://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/video/item881977
The world is singing
Teachers you can access this clip here:
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5. The world is singing What are your favourite animals?
Describe the natural habitats in which those animals live.

6. 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.

7. Extinct species
Tyrannosaurus
rex

8. Woolly mammoth Mammuthus primigenius
Extinct species
Woolly mammoth Mammuthus primigenius

9. Passenger pigeon Ectopistes migratorius
Extinct species
Passenger pigeon Ectopistes migratorius

10. Extinct species
Dodo
Raphus cucullatus

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

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

13. Mass extinction events
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14. 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)

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

16. Mass extinction events: Resource
Choose a mass extinction event.

17. 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

18. 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

19. Mass extinction today: Vanishing species
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20. 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.

21. Case study concept map: Resources

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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.

25. Resources Data Websites
Websites