Habitat in danger

Habitat degradation is currently the main anthropogenic cause of species extinctions. Habitat degradation can take the form of a physical destruction of niche ([nɪ tʃ ] ниша) habitats: the destruction of forests and replacement with open agricultural land in developing countries. Vital resources including water and food can also be limited The environment is becoming toxic that can kill off a species very rapidly. A number of organizations try to preserve species from extinction. Governments enact laws to avoid habitat destruction, agricultural over-harvesting, and pollution.

Vocabulary to the text:

to cause cancer – спричинити рак

rainforests - тропічні ліси

to absorb carbon dioxide – поглинати двоокис вуглецю

burning fossil fuels – згораюче скам’яніле паливо

to produce pollutants – виробляти забрудники

nitrogen oxide – оксид азоту

sulfur dioxide – двоокис сірки

hydrocarbons- вуглеводень

to release large quantities – випускати великі кількості

to dissolve in water – розчинятися у воді

chemical fertilizers and pesticides – хімічні добрива і пестициди

to reduce our consumption of energy and raw materials – зменшувати наше споживання енергії та сировинних матеріалів

to generate hydroelectric power – виробляти гідроелектричну енергію

to spin in the wind – крутитися на вітрі

to switch to energy-efficient bulbs – засвічувати енергозберігаючі лампочки

habitat degradation - деградація, занепад природного середовища

anthropogenic cause of species extinctions – антропогенна причина зникнення видів

Exercise 8. Answer the questions:

1. How much do we know now about environmental problems that face the world today?

2. What is acid rain?

3. What is the Greenhouse Effect?

4. What is deforestation and how does it affect the environment?

5. What alternative forms of energy do you know?

6. What is the Ozone Layer?

*Exercise 9. Make three groups, one for each statement. Discuss your statement for 3 minutes and complete it. Give your reasons. Represent it to the other groupmates.