Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- habitat /HAB-i-tat/
- frugivore /FROO-juh-vawr/
- evolve /ih-VOLV/
- predator /PRED-uh-ter/
- devastate /DEV-uh-steyt/
[noun] – the natural environment in which an animal or plant usually lives
Polar bears rely on the Arctic ice as their natural habitat.
[noun] – animals that primarily eat fruit
Many species of bats are frugivores, helping spread seeds by eating and discarding fruit.
[verb] – to develop or change gradually, often into a more complex or advanced form
Birds are believed to have evolved from certain species of dinosaurs.
[noun] – an animal that hunts, kills, and eats other animals
In the ocean, sharks are some of the most feared predators due to their powerful jaws and sharp teeth.
[verb] – to cause great damage or destruction to something
Wildfires have devastated large areas of forest, destroying habitats and wildlife.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The Dodo, a famous flightless bird from Mauritius, became extinct due to human activities after Dutch sailors first encountered it in 1598. Hunting, habitat destruction, and the introduction of non-native species caused its extinction in less than 80 years. This pattern is common. Recent research has documented the extinction of 610 bird species over the past 130,000 years, closely linked to human expansion. For example, the Hawaiian songbird Kauaʻi ʻōʻō (pronounced Kah-wah-‘ee ‘Oh-‘Oh) was declared extinct last year. The loss of birds impacts ecosystems by eliminating their roles, such as seed dispersal, insect control, and pollination.
Ecologist Tom Matthews from the University of Birmingham highlights that on islands like Mauritius and Hawaii, many fruit-eating birds, or frugivores, are now extinct. This has led to a decline in tree species, as the birds were vital for seed dispersal. Human-introduced animals like rats and cats also contributed to the loss, particularly on islands where birds evolved without predators and often could not fly. Hunting remains a threat, and in Hawaii, diseases like avian malaria have devastated native bird populations. Many remarkable birds, like Madagascar’s elephant bird and New Zealand’s moa, were wiped out after humans arrived. The researchers estimate that the extinction of 610 species represents 3 billion years of evolutionary history. Unfortunately, this number may be an underestimate, and more than 1,000 bird species could face extinction in the next two centuries due to human activity.
Ecologist Tom Matthews from the University of Birmingham highlights that on islands like Mauritius and Hawaii, many fruit-eating birds, or frugivores, are now extinct. This has led to a decline in tree species, as the birds were vital for seed dispersal. Human-introduced animals like rats and cats also contributed to the loss, particularly on islands where birds evolved without predators and often could not fly. Hunting remains a threat, and in Hawaii, diseases like avian malaria have devastated native bird populations. Many remarkable birds, like Madagascar’s elephant bird and New Zealand’s moa, were wiped out after humans arrived. The researchers estimate that the extinction of 610 species represents 3 billion years of evolutionary history. Unfortunately, this number may be an underestimate, and more than 1,000 bird species could face extinction in the next two centuries due to human activity.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever heard of a species that went extinct due to human activities? If so, what species was it, and how did it impact the environment? If not, which endangered species do you think is at the highest risk today?
- Have you ever visited a place where conservation efforts are in place to protect endangered species? If so, what did you learn from that experience? If not, would you like to visit such a place? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that human expansion is the main cause of bird species extinctions?
- What do you think are the long-term consequences of losing bird species, like the Dodo or the Hawaiian songbird Kauaʻi ʻōʻō, on global ecosystems?
- What strategies can be implemented to prevent the extinction of more bird species in the next two centuries?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- extinction
- ecosystem
- contribute
- human activity
- non-native species