9

Science
Quarter 1 -Module 11
BIODIVERSITY and EVOLUTION:
Causes of Extinction
Science– Grade 9
Quarter 1 – Module 11: – Biodiversity: Local and Global Environmental Issues

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Writer: Mary Ann D. Dolot

Editor: Benjie L. Cadag

Reviewer: Emily Esmabe

Illustrator:

Layout Artist:
Relate species extinction to the failure
of populations of organisms to adapt
to abrupt changes in the environment.
 Causes of Species Extinction

Life depends on life. Animals cannot exist without green plants. Living things
create niches for other living things. But what happens if the living conditions of these
organisms are not ideal for their survival?

Extinction is the disappearance of a species when the last of its members

dies.

Understanding the causes of extinction is the beginning of saving

treasures and securing our bright future! To find out why?
Try to perform the activities prepared for you in this module.
At the end of the module, you should be able to:

1. Identify natural and anthropogenic causes of species

extinction.
2. explain how human activities cause species extinction;
and
3. suggest ways on how to address these problems to local
authorities to lessen its effect to the environment.
 ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTION
Can you still remember the terms related to
extinction? Let us see!
Direction: Write the missing letters on the space provided to complete the sentence.
1. The removing or clearing of a forest is _ _ f _ r _ s_ a _ t _ o_.
2. The major causes of deforestation are illegal logging, k _ i _ _ in farming, forest
fires and conversion of agricultural lands to housing projects and typhoon.
3. The effects of deforestation include soil _ _ _ _ _ _ _, f _ o _ d _, and depletion
of _ _ _ _ life resources.
4. The major cause of wildlife extinction is the loss of h _ _ _ _ _t.
5. M _ _ _ - ami is a fishing technique employed on coral reefs that uses an
encircling net with pounding devices.
6. _ _ _ _ harvesting and conversion of the area into other uses results to
mangrove destruction.
7. E _ _ _ _ p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is the effect of too much nutrients in bodies of water.
8. _ _ _ _ rain is the result of air pollution mostly from factories and motor vehicles.
9. The major cause of wildlife extinction is _a_ i _a _ l_ o_s and degradation.
10. _x_ _ _ _t_ _o_ is the disappearance of a species.
11. Su _ t _ _ _ _ _ _e development means that a society should live under the
carrying capacity of the environment.
12. P_ _ _ _ _ _ _ is the illegal hunting and collecting of wild animals for trade.

Hi! How did you find the test?

Please check your answers at the answer key section and see how well you
performed. Don’t worry if you got a low score, this just means that there are
more things that you can learn from this module. So, move on!
 FLASHBACK!

Direction: Read each item carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on your
paper.
1. What is the environmental conditions that keep the population from increasing
in size?
a. Population density
b. Natural calamities
c. Limiting factors
d. weather
2. What occurs when the last member of a species dies?
a. Adaptation
b. Evolution
c. Mutation
d. Extinction
3. Which correctly describes the rapidly declining population of a species?
a. Endangered
b. Threatened
c. Endemic
d. Extinct
4. When the species population is so low that it is nearly extinct they are termed
as
a. Endangered
b. Threatened
c. Endemic
d. Extinct
5. Variety of life on Earth.
a. Species
b. Population
c. Biodiversity
d. Community
6. This refers to group of organisms that have certain characteristics in common
and are able to interbreed.
a. Biodiversity
b. Community
c. Population
d. Species
7. Group of organisms of the same species living in a certain area.
a. Species
b. Population
c. Community
 d. Biodiversity

Satisfying Human Needs, wasting the wildlife species

Read the information about the causes of extinction and complete the table below.

Causes of Species extinction

HUMAN ACTIVITIES/ EFFECTS TO THE EFFECTS TO WILDLIFE

NATURAL CALAMITIES ENVIRONMENT SPECIES
( those that impact the
environment)
1. Illegal logging deforestation Loss of habitat
2.Kaingin farming
3.Conversion of
agricultural lands to
housing projects
4.Forest fires
5.Typhoons
6.Overharvesting of
plants and animals
7.Muro-ami
8.Using inappropriate size
of nets in fishing
9.Dynamite fishing
10.Cyanide fishing
11.Dumping of wastes in
bodies of water (plastics,
domestic wastes, PCBs
etc.)
12.Burning of fossil fuels
in motor vehicles,
factories and power
plants
13.Burning of garbage
14.Poaching
15.Mining activities
16.Electrocution (in
fishing)
17.Using inorganic
fertilizers in growing crops
18.Using pesticides in
controlling pests
population
 19. Converting coastal
areas to beach resorts
and residential areas
20. Introduction of new
species

Before you proceed, let me check!

A. Based on the table, what are the major causes of species extinction?
B. Which contributes to loss of habitat?
C. Which directly affects wildlife species?

Well done! Now, take time to process the information you

acquired by accomplishing the next task.
Are you ready for the next activity?

…IN CONTINUING STRUGGLE FOR

SURVIVAL!
Guide questions:
1. Based on your answers on the table, do you agree that keeping the balance
of nature and preserving our planet’s species is everyone’s concern? Explain
your answer.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
____

2. Natural calamities bring great destruction to our ecosystems. Can we avoid or

prevent them from happening? What shall we do lessen its effects?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
____

The human activities and natural phenomenon listed above are the major causes of
species extinction. It destroys the different ecosystems which serves as habitat for
different species.
 Human activities and natural calamities play major role in the deterioration of our
planet. As human population gets bigger the need for different resources also
increases. The need for food, medicine, shelter, space to rise buildings are of great
demand. As a results people employ in activities that greatly changes the environment.
Our forests that serves as habitat for worms, insects, arachnids, rodents, reptiles,
amphibians, birds, mammals and other organisms are destroyed by Kaingin farming
or slash- and- burn agriculture, illegal logging and conversion of agricultural areas to
housing projects. These activities cut down large number of trees thus removing the
forest cover. These results to siltation, floods and soil erosion which considered as
long term effects. Siltation damaged coral reefs, makes bodies of water shallow and
suffocate aquatic organisms resulting to a decrease in wildlife resources that will
eventually lead to extinction. Typhoon and forest fires also contributes to deforestation.
It destroys large acres of forested land thus depleting species of their habitat.

Overfishing also happens in large parts of the ocean through the use of cyanide (for
aquarium fish) dynamite, and inappropriate size of nets. Muro- ami fishing is also
applied in areas with coral reefs.

Pollution also contributes to species extinction. In lakes, rivers and ponds the major
problem is Eutrophication. This is caused by nutrient from domestic wastes and runoffs
from lands (e.g.ricefield). A “fish kill “usually happens when there is a large
concentration of nutrients in bodies of water. Too much nutrients causes algal bloom
and growth of aquatic plants. When they die and undergo decomposition, they used
up oxygen in water. As a results aquatic animals die due to lack of oxygen. Toxic
wastes like PCB’s produced in the making of paint, inks, and electrical insulators also
pollute the water. These becomes concentrated in the tissues of organisms through
biological magnification and cannot be excreted from their bodies. There are heavy
metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium from factories. Plastics also pollute
waterways. When it reaches the sea, it maybe eaten by sea creatures like large
animals.

In the air, some of the pollutants are nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons from motor
vehicles. It reacts with water vapor or dust particles and produced new irritating
chemicals. Burning coals in factories and power plants produces sulfur dioxide with
choking odor. Tiny particles of soot, dust and smoke are also produced. These
particulates block sunlight. When we breathe it may enter our lungs. The trapping of
heat by carbon dioxide and other gases trapped heat in the atmosphere is called
greenhouse effect. Greenhouse effect is a natural process but continuous increase in
the amount of these gases intensifies it.

The presence of nitrogen oxides and sulfur makes the rain more acidic forming the so
called acid precipitation. This is harmful to living things. It makes the yellowing of
leaves of plants and loss of nutrients from the soil.

Overcollection or over harvesting also poses a serious problem in the environment. It

deprives some species chance to reach maturity and reproduce.

Pollution also affects the species of animals. The Philippine Eagle, considered the
rarest and second largest eagle in the world, mate in the air at high altitudes lays only
one egg every two years. Pollution makes the eggshell thin and not hatch.
Most of the environmental problems today are caused by human activities and
population explosion. People realized that changing the way they interact with nature
will ensure survival of all living things. It is clear that maintaining the resources needed
for survival while ensuring its availability in the future is a great responsibility. Let us
all remember that “Sustainable development “is the key.

WORD BANK!
1. Species is a group of organisms that have certain characteristics in
common and are able to interbreed.
2. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in an area.
3. Population is the total number of organism of the same species inhabiting
a place at the same time.
4. Population density is the number of individuals in an area.
5. Limiting factors is environmental conditions that keep a population from
over increasing in size and help balance ecosystems.
6. Carrying capacity is the number of organisms of one species that an
environment can support.
7. Endangered species is a species in which the number of individuals falls
so low that extinction is possible.
8. Threatened species is a species that have rapidly decreasing numbers of
individuals
9. Deforestation is the process of removing or clearing of a forest to include
the cutting of all trees, mostly agricultural or urban use.
10. Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes
enriched in dissolved nutrients (as phosphates) that stimulate the growth
of aquatic plant life, usually resulting in the depletion of dissolved oxygen.
11. PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) are toxic wastes produced in the making of
paints, inks and electrical insulators.
12. Acid rain is a broad term referring to a mixture of wet and dry deposition
(deposited material) from the atmosphere containing higher than normal
amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids.

Did you understand why species becomes extinct.? Hope you can
use the concepts that you learned in helping save our treasures and off
course our future.
Complete this diagram below.
Figure 1. Causes of Extinction

(1)

(3)
EXTINCTION

(2)

AN EFFORT TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT…KEEPING

BALANCE IN THE ECOSYSTEM, SAVING WILDLIFE SPECIES

A. Identify an environmental problem that has resulted to depletion of wildlife

species and may lead to extinction. Make a sketch
or description of that environmental problem.
Give a possible solution and identify your role in your suggested solution.
B. Think of this.
Strict Implementation of the laws protecting the environment is the
responsibility of government authorities. But despite the laws and efforts
 extended, environmental problems continue to increase. What would be your
role in the implementation of the laws? Explain.
A.

SKETCH OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM

B.
________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
_______

Congratulations, you have finished the 3rd module!

Please check your answers by referring to the answer key.

DIRECTION: Write True if the statement is correct,

and if False, change the underlined word to make
the sentence correct.

1. Failure of organisms to adapt to abrupt changes in environment may lead to

extinction.
2. Pollution speeds up species extinction.
3. Dynamite and muro-ami fishing damages the coral reefs.
 4. Soil erosion that brought destruction to bodies of water is a consequence of
mining activities and illegal logging and kaingin.
5. Sustainable development can be achieved through kaingin farming.

ANSWER KEY
ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTION 1. Deforestation 2. Kaingin 3. Erosion,
flood, wild 4. Habitat 5. Muro-ami 6. Over 7. Eutrophication 8. Acid 9. Habitat
loss 10. Extinction 11. Sustainable 12. poaching

FLASHBACK
1. c 2. d 3. b 4. a 5. c 6. d 7. B

SATISFYING HUMAN NEEDS, WASTING THE WILDLIFE SPECIES

1-5. deforestation; lack of food, loss of habitat and death of some species
6. unbalanced ecosystem; decrease in number of wildlife species.
7. -11 and 16. Destruction of aquatic habitat; death or destruction of different aquatic
animals, preventing organisms to reach maturity and reproduce.

12. air pollution, acid rain, and increasing global temperature; destruction
of wildlife and other species
13. air pollution; destruction of species of living things.
14. decreasing no. of organisms resulting to unbalanced ecosystem;
decreasing no. of organisms that may lead to extinction
15. deforestation; loss of food and habitat
17. soil acidity, nutrient run off leading to eutrophication; death of aquatic
organisms.
18. unbalanced ecosystem; death of different organisms in the area
19. destruction of marine ecosystem; loss of habitat
20. Invasion of alien species; decrease number of species and extinction
…IN CONTINUING STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL
1. Yes. We live in a planet where interaction play an important role in species’ survival
(interdependency). The loss of a single species will not only affect a those that feeds
on them but the whole in the ecosystem whole community. Likewise, the continuous
increase in the amount of greenhouse gases that intensifies greenhouse effect will not
only be experienced in a single region but in the entire planet. (answer may vary)
2. No. To lessen the effects of typhoon and other natural calamities, it is better if we
will plant trees instead of cutting it down because trees and other plants can protect
us from heavy rains and strong winds. Avoid burning plastics and other materials
because it contributes to global warming (answer may vary).
APPLY WHAT YOU LEARNED
Causes of Extinction
1. Human activities
2. Natural calamities or causes
3. Habitat loss and degradation

AN EFFORT TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT…KEEPING BALANCE IN THE

ECOSYSTEM, SAVING WILDLIFE SPECIES
1. Answer may vary. Problem: Illegal logging. It severely destroys the forest
ecosystem.
Possible solution: Cut only those trees allowed by authorities. It must include
mature ones to give time for younger trees to grow to maturity and reproduce.
Plant more seedlings to replace the one’s you were cut down.
2. It is possible for students to help in governments reforestation efforts. They
can also help in governments campaign to save the environment. Do not
patronize products which were produced through illegal means.

ASSESS WHAT YOU LEARNED

1. True
2. True
3. True
4. Siltation
5. sustainable agriculture, reforestation
 To strengthen what you have learned in this module, watch or read
articles about it. Then, make an artwork about what you learned or watch.

REFERENCES
https://owlcation/stem/The-Top-Ten-Critically-Endangered

https://wikivisually.com/wiki/ List of extinct animals of the Philippines

https://en.m.wikipedia.org
Philippines. Department of Education. (2004). Biology: Science and Technology textbook for
2nd year. (Revised ed.). Quezon City
Philippines. Department of Education.( ).Science 9 –Learner’s Module