The pre-human background extinction rate was estimated to be close to 2 Extinctions per 1 million species-year (E/MSY). Between 1900 and 2014, 477 species of vertebrates were extinct, extinct in the wild or possibly extinct considering 39,223 species evaluated.

a. [10 pts] Calculate the rate of vertebrate extinctions (in E/MSY), compare with the background rate, and explain its meaning considering our knowledge about previous mass extinctions.

b. [10 pts] Discuss the environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing biodiversity in one natural habitat and one disturbed habitat on Furman campus.