1. G9S Chapter 5.2 – Threats to Biodiversity – p.122-128 - page1
Vocabulary
Background Extinction
Mass Extinction
Natural Resource
Overexploitation
Habitat Fragmentation
Edge Effect
Biological Magnification
Eutrophication
Introduced Species
1. What natural processes cause background extinction?
2. Why do some scientists think we are witnessing a period of mass extinction now?
3. Explain why organisms found on islands are more vulnerable to extinction than other organisms.
4. How are conditions on the boundaries of an ecosystem different from conditions in the center?

2. G9S Chapter 5.2 – Threats to Biodiversity – p.122-128 - page2
5. In biological magnification, the concentration of toxins __________________________ as you
move up trophic levels.
6. Burning fossil fuels releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. When these
compounds react with water vapor in the atmosphere they from _________________________ and
___________________________.
7. Acid precipitation removes ___________, ______________, and other nutrient while also
damaging plant ___________________ and slowing _______________________.
8. Eutrophication is a natural process. However, human activities often __________________ the
rate at which it occurs.
9. Some introduced species quickly take over an ecosystem by high rates of reproduction. Why
might an introduced species reproduce more quickly in a new ecosystem?