Learning Task 3: Read the words in both columns. Match column A with column B. Write your answer in your notebook. A. Causes of Extinction of Species Column A A. Climatic Heating and Cooling B. Changes in Sea Lev- els or Currents C. Asteroids / Cosmic Radiation Column B 1. From John W. Williams' research, their findings indicated that "By the end of the 21st century, large portions of the Earth's surface may experience climates not found at pre- sent and some 21st century climates may disappear. 2. Habitat loss and degradation affect 86% of all threatened birds, 86% of mammals and 88% of threatened amphibi- ans. D. Acid Rain E. Disease / Epidemic F. Spread of Invasive Species G. Human Causes of Extinction H. Habitat Degradation I. Climate Change and 5. This forms when sulfur dioxide and / or nitrogen oxides Global Warming are put into the atmosphere. Increases the acidity of the soil which affects plant life. It can also disturb rivers and lakes to a possibly lethal level. 3. Increase in population, destruction/fragmentation of habi- tat, pollution and climate change/global warming 4. They use resources that the other species depend on. Once competition gets too great, the survival of the fittest plan will begin, and one of the species, usually the natural one, will die off. 6. Each species has defense mechanisms like immunities and the ability to fight disease. With the changing climate and landscape certain species are losing their ability to fend off disease. They are becoming more susceptible to disease and epidemics, which can lead to their eventual extinction. 7. The biodiversity Earth can't keep up with the rapid chang- es in temperature and climate. The species are not used to severe weather conditions and long seasons. 8. This is the result of melting freshwater. The denser, saltier water sinks and forms the currents that arine life de- pends on. Ocean floor spreading and rising also affects sea level. 9. The reverberations of their impact to Earth can be felt around the world. The impact site is completely destroyed. Radiation is being emitted from outer space and the sun. A supernova remnant is one source of cosmic radiation.