Question
1)
Using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service glossary, explain the difference between threatened, endangered, and extinct species.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) glossary, the terms "threatened," "endangered," and "extinct" refer to different levels of risk faced by species in relation to their survival.
1. **Endangered Species**: This term describes species that are at the highest risk of extinction in the near future. These species face immediate threats to their survival, such as habitat destruction, climate change, poaching, or invasive species. Conservation actions are critically needed to protect and restore their populations.
2. **Threatened Species**: This category includes species that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. While they are not currently facing the same immediate threats as endangered species, they are still vulnerable to changes in their environment or reduced population sizes, which can lead to further decline.
3. **Extinct Species**: This term is used for species that no longer exist anywhere on Earth. Extinction occurs when the last individuals of a species die, which can result from various factors, including habitat loss, overexploitation, disease, or other environmental pressures.
In summary, the primary differences lie in the levels of risk: endangered species are at immediate risk of extinction, threatened species are at risk of becoming endangered, and extinct species no longer exist at all.
1. **Endangered Species**: This term describes species that are at the highest risk of extinction in the near future. These species face immediate threats to their survival, such as habitat destruction, climate change, poaching, or invasive species. Conservation actions are critically needed to protect and restore their populations.
2. **Threatened Species**: This category includes species that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. While they are not currently facing the same immediate threats as endangered species, they are still vulnerable to changes in their environment or reduced population sizes, which can lead to further decline.
3. **Extinct Species**: This term is used for species that no longer exist anywhere on Earth. Extinction occurs when the last individuals of a species die, which can result from various factors, including habitat loss, overexploitation, disease, or other environmental pressures.
In summary, the primary differences lie in the levels of risk: endangered species are at immediate risk of extinction, threatened species are at risk of becoming endangered, and extinct species no longer exist at all.