Vertebrate declines and the sixth mass extinction 

This activity guides learners through the analysis of a published scientific figure showing global patterns of vertebrate population declines. Using data from a large-scale study of over 27,000 species, students interpret maps that reveal where and how rapidly species populations have declined over the past century, and consider what this means for biodiversity and ecosystem stability. The resource supports discussion of whether current trends signal the onset of a sixth mass extinction driven by human activity.

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