EXTINCTION What is extinction? EXTINCTION - In Biology, extinction is the dying out or extermination of a species. - The death of the last generation of a species is generally considered an example of extinction. However, the extinct animals may have lost the ability to reproduce and recover until this time. - It also refers to the gradual weakening of a conditioned response that results in the behavior decreasing or disappearing. In other words, the conditioned behavior eventually stops. Major Causes of Extinction HABITAL LOSS - When a plant or animal lacks a home and cannot adapt to a new environment, it becomes extinct. ILLEGAL KILLING OR HUNTING - Hunting and killing of rare plants and animals is a humancaused extinction that may be a significant or dominating factor in the loss of some species. POLLUTION - One of the most serious dangers to animal habitat is man-made pollution. - As previously said, when plants and animals have a habitat, the effect of extinction is lessened. COMPETITION - Competition is an interaction that exists between species that fight for the same resources in the same location. - Food, water, and shelter are examples of resources. DISEASE - The spread of disease might be both an environmental and a man-made cause of extinction. - Dutch elm disease, for example, is a fungal disease of elm trees spread by the elm bark beetle.
