Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
There are many factors that can make a species more vulnerable to extinction than others. According to conservation biologists, species most vulnerable to extinction generally fall under one of six main groups1. These groups include:
Species with small populations: Some species have very small populations, consisting of just a few individuals.
Species with declining populations: Trends in population sizes tend to persist, so populations that are declining in abundance face a high risk of extinction unless conservation managers identify and address the causes of decline.
Species with narrow geographic ranges: A small geographic range makes a species particularly vulnerable to global extinction. Many of the threats to species are geographically restricted, so species with large ranges will survive somewhere even if they are locally extirpated. Species with small ranges do not have this “reserve.”
Species with specialized habitat requirements: Species that require specific habitats or resources are more vulnerable to extinction than generalists.
Species with large body size: Within groups of related species, the largest are generally also the most vulnerable to extinction—that is, a larger species of carnivore, ungulate, or whale is more likely to go extinct than a smaller carnivore, ungulate, or whale.
Species that are hunted or harvested by humans: Hunting and harvesting can cause declines in population sizes and increase the risk of extinction.
Extinctions and/or invasive species can affect ecosystems in many ways. Extinctions can lead to the loss of ecosystem services such as pollination and seed dispersal. Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources and alter ecosystem processes.