Final answer:
Differences between threatened, endangered, and extinct species lie in the level of risk they face due to threats like habitat destruction, primarily from deforestation. Threatened species are at risk of endangerment, endangered species are at high risk of extinction, and extinct species have disappeared. Deforestation's continued impact is predicted to be detrimental to biodiversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species
The terms threatened, endangered, and extinct refer to categories used to describe the conservation status of plant and animal species. A threatened species is one that is at risk of becoming endangered in the near future. An endangered species is at a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. Lastly, an extinct species is one that no longer exists.
Effects of Deforestation on Biodiversity
Continued deforestation has a profoundly negative impact on biodiversity. It leads to habitat destruction, which is a primary cause of species becoming threatened and endangered, especially in tropical forests where a large variety of species exist. Deforestation has already resulted in the extinction of many species, and the predicted rates of extinction due to ongoing habitat loss are alarmingly high. The situation is exacerbated by other factors such as climate change, the introduction of exotic species, overharvesting, and the alteration of ecosystems due to human activities.