Question

(cs 3) list and describe two ways in which humans play a role in the extinction of various plants and animals.

Explanation:

1. Habitat Destruction: Humans clear land for agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure (like roads, buildings). This destroys natural habitats (e.g., forests, wetlands) where plants and animals live, reducing their living space, food sources, and breeding grounds. For example, deforestation for palm oil plantations in Southeast Asia has led to the decline of orangutan populations as their forest homes are destroyed.
2. Overexploitation: Humans hunt or fish species at rates faster than they can reproduce. For animals, this includes poaching (e.g., for ivory from elephants, skins from tigers) and overfishing (e.g., catching too many tuna, leading to population crashes). For plants, over - harvesting for medicinal or commercial use (e.g., certain orchids or ginseng) can lead to their extinction in the wild.

Answer:

1. Habitat Destruction: Humans clear natural habitats (e.g., forests, wetlands) for agriculture, urbanization, or infrastructure, reducing living space, food, and breeding grounds for species (e.g., deforestation harming orangutans).
2. Overexploitation: Humans hunt/fish (e.g., poaching elephants for ivory, overfishing tuna) or over - harvest plants (e.g., ginseng) at rates exceeding species' reproductive capacities, leading to population declines or extinction.