extinction: Evidence for evolution

• Extinction occurs when there are no remaining individuals of a species alive
• Animals that have not adapted well to their environment are less likely to survive and reproduce batter than those that are well adapted
• the animals that have not adapted to their environment may become extinct.
• Extinction has a role in evolution as some species disappear. others continue to evolve
• several factors can cause a species to become extinct:

  • new diseases
  • new predators
  • new, more successful competitors
  • changes to environment over geological time, such as climate change
  • a single catastrophic event, like a massive volcanic eruption or meteor strike
  • a species may also become extinct through speciation
• the fossil record shows that many species have become extinct since life on earth began.
• Extinction is still happening and often, it is due to human activities.
• Humas compete with other living organisms for space, food and water - humans are very successful predators