What is a species?
A group of living organisms containing related individuals capable of swapping genes or mating. A species is the biggest gene pool possible under natural conditions. Species is also defined as a group of living organisms that actually interbreed in nature. How many species are on Earth? There is about 8.7 million species on Earth. There is 6.5 million on land and 2.2 million in the ocean. The number of species on Earth had been estimated previously at 3 million to 100 million. What is happening to the number of species on Earth? The species on Earth are decreasing. Some species are about to be extinct because people are killing them or poaching and other times people destroy their habitat. Also, because of the growing size of human populations and the rate at which humans consume resources and cause climate change. |
What happens when a species becomes very rare?
Region that the species lives in will give it protection. Like in the US, the Endangered Species Act is given to all at risk species. Every country has their own way of dealing with endangered species. Most have special centers or areas for each species. What happens when a species dies out? The extinct species may not have an effect at all or may cause minor changes. Other species may have to find another source of food. If species only depends on the extinct it may cause a chain effect where they die out one after another. Why do species become rare or die out? They become rare or die by threats from changing environments or predators. Predators might over hunt and end up eating more than that can be produced. Sudden changes in the environment, like global warming etc., may lead to a lack in growth and eventually die out. |
What species in Alabama have become rare or died out?
- Beach Mouse
- Red Cockaded Woodpecker
- Gopher Tortoise
- Green Sea Turtle
- Alabama Cave Shrimp
- Alabama Sturgeon
- Tulotoma Snail
- Vermillion Darter
- Gulf Sturgeon
- Paint Rock River Mussels
- Red Hills Salamander
- Alabama Cavefish
What species in the United States have become rare or died out?
- Florida Panther
- Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle
- Sandplain Gerardia
- Lange’s Metalmark Butterfly
- Mississippi Gopher Frog
- White River Spinedace
- Polar Bear
- Gulf Sturgeon
- San Joaquin Kit Fox