ESC 1O2 Assignment: MUST BE TYPED! Use as much space as needed between questions to
answer.
Read “The Sixth Extinction” by Niles Eldredge.
NAME______________________
Answer the following questions in your own words.
1.
Who is Niles Eldredge?
2.
What is meant by the Sixth Extinction?
3.
There have been a number of mass extinctions in earth’s geologic history.
Make a list of these by completing the table below.
When?
(years ago)
Geologic
Period
Possible
Causes
%
Species
Lost
Organisms
most affected
5.
What is believed to be the main cause of the Sixth Extinction?
6.
Why is it said that the Sixth extinction is the first to have a “biotic” cause instead of a physical
cause? (give an example of biotic and physical causes)
7.
According to the article, when did the Sixth Extinction likely begin?
8.
What modern human “invention” caused the Sixth Extinction to accelerate?
Explain why:
9.
With humans living longer, what cycles of exploitation are fueling the extinction?
10.
The Permian extinction was the greatest mass extinction recorded in geologic history.
How might the biological effects of the Sixth Extinction compare to this event? Be specific!!!
11.
What is meant by “carrying capacity” for an organism within an ecosystem?
What is earth’s “carrying capacity” for the human population? When will this capacity be
reached?
12.
Can humans do anything about this extinction that is currently causing the loss of perhaps three
species per hour?
13.
From your study of historical geology, you have learned that earth is constantly changing, in all its
spheres. Earth’s life forms have survived past extinctions; in fact, the loss of some life forms has
enabled others to evolve and become successful. Why is it so hard to measure its effects?
Please comment on anything you have learned from this article about the Sixth Extinction.
14.
Explain a type of organism that could survive a mass extinction.
Could humans be one of those organisms?
What inherent strengths do humans possess to deal with environmental stresses?
What weaknesses do modern humans seem to have that would make them unlikely candidates for
survival?
15.
Please visit one or more websites that provides evidence of the ongoing extinction.
Choose a single organism that is endangered and could be extinct in this century or even in
your lifetime.
Suggested websites and response sheet for this question are available on the website.