S9Q1W6 | SPECIES EXTINCTION & ADAPTATION (Extinct Animals)

Summary

This educational video delves into the critical topics of species extinction and adaptation, highlighting the significance of biodiversity and population dynamics. It contrasts environments like the coconut plantation with the more diverse Tuba Tahari marine ecosystem. The video outlines natural causes of extinction, such as climate shifts, sea level changes, and cosmic events, and underscores human-induced factors like overpopulation, habitat destruction, and pollution. It emphasizes the importance of a balanced ecosystem for species survival and the challenges posed by environmental disruptions.

Takeaways

• 🌿 **Biodiversity Defined**: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in an area, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans.
• 🌳 **Population and Biodiversity**: A population is a group of organisms of the same species living in a certain place; biodiversity is higher where there are more different kinds of species.
• 🏝️ **Diversity Comparison**: Tuba Tahari, a marine ecosystem, is more diverse than a coconut plantation because it hosts various aquatic species.
• 🐦 **Threatened Species**: Species with rapidly declining populations, like the Philippine eagle, are considered endangered.
• 🦏 **Extinct Species**: Extinction occurs when the last member of a species dies; examples include the Philippine rhinoceros and the Cebu song.
• 🔥 **Natural Causes of Extinction**: Climate change, changes in sea levels or currents, volcanic activity, asteroids, cosmic radiation, and acid rain can lead to extinction.
• 🦠 **Disease Epidemic**: Species losing their ability to fight off diseases due to climate change and habitat loss can face extinction.
• 🌐 **Invasive Species**: Invasive species outcompete native species for resources, leading to the decline and potential extinction of native species.
• 🏠 **Human Causes of Extinction**: Increased human population, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change are significant human-induced causes of species extinction.
• 🌱 **Balanced Ecosystem**: A balanced ecosystem, where all living and non-living components interact harmoniously, is crucial for species survival.

Q & A

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in an area, including every living thing such as plants, bacteria, animals, and humans. Earth's biodiversity is so rich that many species have yet to be discovered.

How is biodiversity different from population?

Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area, while population refers to a group of organisms of the same species living in a certain place.

Which of the two pictures shown in the script, the coconut plantation or Tuba Taharif, shows a higher level of diversity?

Tuba Taharif, which contains different kinds of aquatic species, shows a higher level of diversity compared to the coconut plantation.

What is considered a threatened species?

A threatened species is one where the population declines so fast that it becomes endangered, such as the Philippine eagle or the Tamaraw from Mindoro.

What does it mean when a species is considered extinct?

Extinction occurs when the last member of a species dies. Examples of extinct animals in the Philippines include the Philippine rhinoceros and the Cebu song.

What are some natural causes of extinction mentioned in the script?

Natural causes of extinction include climatic heating and cooling, changes in sea levels or currents, asteroids, cosmic radiation, acid rain, and disease epidemics.

How does climate change affect species and contribute to extinction?

Climate change, caused by various factors, can lead to severe weather conditions and a changing chemical makeup of surroundings that species are not used to, making it difficult for them to find food and increasing the risk of diseases and epidemics.

What role do invasive species play in extinction?

Invasive species invade foreign territory and use resources that other species depend on. This can lead to competition, and often the native species cannot compete and die off.

What are the top human causes of extinction listed in the script?

The top human causes of extinction include increased human population, destruction and fragmentation of habitat, pollution such as water and air pollution, climate change or global warming, and habitat degradation.

How does habitat loss and degradation affect threatened species?

Habitat loss and degradation affect a significant percentage of all threatened birds, mammals, and amphibians, as it disrupts their living conditions and food sources, leading to population decline and potential extinction.

What is the significance of a balanced ecosystem?

A balanced ecosystem is one in which all living and non-living things are interacting harmoniously. If any part of the ecosystem is disturbed, other parts will also be affected, which can lead to species extinction.