Module 1 -
Case
DEFINING AND MEASURING BIODIVERSITY
Assignment Overview
As we continue to develop the relationship between economics
and our natural world, we will focus on one concept that is studied regularly
in ecology and has become very important in both economics and the
sustainability of our planet: biodiversity.
In order to understand the significance of economic
principles in the biodiversity of our world, you must first understand what biodiversity
describes.
The following overview of biodiversity was adapted from In
World Resources Institute, World Conservation Union, and United Nations
Environment Programme, “Global Biodiversity Strategy,” 1992:
Biodiversity is the totality of genes, species, and
ecosystems in a region. Biodiversity can be divided into three hierarchical
categories—genes, species, and ecosystems—that describe quite different aspects
of living systems that scientists measure in different ways.
Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within
species. This covers distinct populations of the same species (such as the
thousands of traditional rice varieties in India) or genetic variation within a
population (high among Indian rhinos, and very low among cheetahs).
Species diversity refers to the variety of species within a
region. Such diversity can be measured in many ways, and scientists have not
settled on a single best method. The number of species in a region—its species
“richness”—is one often-used measure, but a more precise measurement,
“taxonomic diversity,” also considers the relationship of species to each
other. For example, an island with two species of birds and one species of
lizard has a greater taxonomic diversity than an island with three species of birds
but no lizards.
Ecosystem diversity is harder to measure than species or
genetic diversity because the “boundaries” of communities—associations of
species—and ecosystems are elusive. Nevertheless, as long as a consistent set
of criteria is used to define communities and ecosystems, their numbers and
distribution can be measured.
For additional resources on biodiversity read the article
link What is Biodiversity from the National Foundation for Wildlife and
Biodiversity from the National Geographic Society. For an in-depth review of
how biodiversity is measured read the article on Getting the Measure of
Biodiversity. These resources will help you address the questions in the
following Case Assignment.
Also, see the PowerPoint on Measuring Biodiversity by the
Canadian Museum of Nature.
Case Assignment
From the Background readings above, address the following
questions for your case assignment in the form of an essay. Complete a 2-3 page
paper using complete sentences for each question and APA formatting for citations.
Include any citations used to support your research. For additional
expectations, including how to organize your assignment, see the Assignment
Expectations below.
1. Define
biodiversity.
2. Why is
biodiversity important? What are some of the benefits of biodiversity?
3. How is
biodiversity measured?
4. What is
extinction? What is causing it today?
5. What is the
Endangered Species Act? What is it meant to do? (reflect on the economic
consequences of the Act as we will be delving into the topic later on)
6. What are some of
the most and least diverse species in your local area? Try the interactive map
called the “Map of Life” developed by a research team from both Yale University
and the University of Colorado Boulder (this tool is still in development). The
link can be found here: https://www.mol.org/location/32.045/-471.489/. You can
zoom into the map and find your local area (or another area of interest to
you). The example map below demonstrates the most diverse species in Tucson, AZ
as being birds, whereas palm plants have the least diversity. Describe your
chosen area in your essay and copy and paste the chart area showing the most
and least diverse species in your area (map of United States does not need to
be copied, only the species chart). Were you surprised by the results? Why or
why not?
7. Insects are the
largest and most diverse group of organisms on Earth. Select one insect species
from your local area (click on the insect species from the Map of Life to learn
more) and describe its importance to humans (medicine, research, agriculture,
aesthetics, etc). Include an image of your chosen insect within your essay.
8. What can you do
as an individual to help slow the loss of biodiversity?
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Assignment Expectations
Organize this essay assignment using subtitles that
summarize the topic from each question above. For example, to answer Question
1, use a descriptive subtitle like the following: The Definition of
Biodiversity.
Answer each question under the subtitle using complete
sentences that relate back to the question. Be sure to use APA formatting
throughout your essay with 1-inch margins, 12-point type, and double spacing
throughout. Include a title page, introduction, answers to the questions with
subtitles, and concluding paragraph. Remember to include in-text citations
within the body of the essay referencing your resources (e.g., Murray, 2014).
Also, be sure to include a reference section at the end of your assignment
listing all required readings and any additional resources you used to complete
your essay. A helpful guide to writing a quality essay can be found in
Trident's Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper. This guide
also provides links to example essays written in APA format.
Direct quotes should be limited and must be designated by
quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give credit to the original author, for
example: (Murray, 2014). Direct copying from “homework help” websites will not
receive credit. Once you have completed your assignment within a Word document,
please upload your final version to the Case 1 Dropbox. Please also note your
Turnitin originality score and make revisions as needed. Please contact your
instructor with any questions.
Module 1 - SLP
DEFINING AND MEASURING BIODIVERSITY
Overview
In response to the variable effects of conservation efforts
and loss of biodiversity, zoos began to turn their attention to the
conservation of endangered species and wildlife in the 1970s and 1980s.
Supporting conservation efforts became an important goal for the modern zoo. A
major milestone towards this goal was the Convention on Biodiversity which was
signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. As the modern zoo
continues to focus its efforts towards conservation, it has been seen by many
as a sort of “Noah’s Ark,” primarily focused on conserving the precious few endangered
species. Unfortunately, genetic, ecosystem and economic issues have created
challenges for the conservation model of the modern zoo. Read the following
articles that expand on the conservation efforts of zoos and their use of
technology towards this goal.
Readings
Keulartz, J. (2015). Captivity for conservation? Zoos at a
crossroads. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics.
Kobilinsky, D. (2016). New live cam technology might help
conservation. Accessed August 13, 2016, at http://wildlife.org/new-live-cam-technology-might-help-conservation/.
Genetics
Research has shown that zoos currently hold about 15% of the
endangered land animals in captivity. There remains a continual struggle to
breed these animals due to low numbers. A zoo’s ability to maintain enough
genetic variability among individual species is impossible and space
limitations prevent expansion to allow the influx of more animals.
Economics
The secondary goal for many zoos, that of reintroduction to
the wild, also faces challenges due to the costs involved, from financial to
ecological. Animals living in captivity often lose the necessary skills to
survive in the wild once released.
Ecosystems
Lastly, the ecosystems into which the captive animals are
eventually released are constantly changing. Many factors may have affected
their previous habitat, preventing the animal’s chance at a successful
re-introduction to the wild.
Education and Technology
Technology and education have also been identified as
important components in maintaining the biodiversity of the natural world. Zoos
are in a unique position to educate the public about conservation issues and
they are continually looking for ways to convey this information to visitors.
The Metro Richmond Zoo uses video cam technology to encourage cheetah
conservation by streaming live footage of cheetah litters online. Viewers
witness the day-to-day lives of the cheetah cubs without human interference or
disturbance.
Answer the following questions in complete sentences using
an essay format. See the SLP Assignment Expectations for further directions on
formatting and organization.
Assignment Directions:
1. Discuss how zoos
have evolved over the past 50 years to become conservation centers. Incorporate
the role of zoos in educating the public into your response.
2. Discuss some of
the economic pressures faced by zoos—namely space, capacity, and resources—that
can affect their conservation efforts.
3. How does a
species get on the Endangered Species List?
4. Take a virtual
trip to the zoo using one of the links below and observe at least one of the
endangered species.
Take a Virtual Visit to the Zoo
You can take a virtual visit to the zoo any day of the week
by tuning into any of the following live webcams, which feature many endangered
animals. The World Wildlife Fund lists many of these animals as priority
species.
· Watch
elephants at the Smithsonian Zoo on the elephant cam:
· The Houston
Zoo has some of the best webcams of gorillas, rhinos, elephants, flamingos, and
giraffes here: http://www.houstonzoo.org/meet-the-animals/animal-webcams/
· The Reid Park
Zoo in Arizona has webcams of lions, giraffes, elephants, lemurs, grizzly
bears, and flamingos here: http://reidparkzoo.org/cameras/elephant-cam/
· See pandas, elephants, apes or polar bears
(the elephant has the most informative cam view) at the San Diego Zoo
· Pick an
animal webcam of your choice
5. Make your own
ethogram. An ethogram is a graph or chart of animal behavior that is used to compare
certain behaviors that can be observed while animals are in captivity. Choose
one animal from the webcam links above and observe its behavior at several
different times during the day or over the course of several days. Take notes
on its behavior using the ethnogram (include this chart in your essay). Choose
4 or 5 different time points (on the hour or half hour, it does not need to be
the same day or the exact time point).
Give your chart a title and include it in your essay.
Ethogram Document
6. Did your perception of the species you watched
change as a result of seeing it on the webcam? Why or why not?
7. Do you believe
technology has a positive influence on people’s feelings toward wildlife and
conservation? Why or why not?
SLP Assignment Expectations
Organize this essay assignment using subtitles that
summarize the topic from each question above. For example, to answer Question
1, use a descriptive subtitle like the following: The Evolution of Zoos.
Answer each question under the subtitle using complete
sentences that relate back to the question. Be sure to use APA formatting
throughout your essay with 1-inch margins, 12-point type, and double spacing
throughout. Include a title page, introduction, answers to the questions with
subtitles, and concluding paragraph. Remember to include in-text citations
within the body of the essay referencing your resources (e.g., Murray, 2014).
Also, be sure to include a reference section at the end of your assignment
listing all required readings and any additional resources you used to complete
your essay. A helpful guide to writing a quality essay can be found in
Trident's Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper. This guide
also provides links to example essays written in APA format.
Direct quotes should be limited and must be designated by
quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give credit to the original author, for
example: (Murray, 2014). Direct copying from “homework help” websites will not
receive credit. Once you have completed your assignment within a Word document,
please upload your final version to the SLP 1 Dropbox. Please also note your
Turnitin originality score and make revisions as needed. Please contact your
instructor with any questions.
Module 2 -
Case
MECHANISMS OF CHANGE AND THE FOSSIL RECORD
Assignment Overview
[Note: If you have trouble viewing some of the course
materials, install Quicktime and the Adobe Shockwave Player, both of which can
be downloaded free online at http://www.adobe.com/products/shockwaveplayer.html
and https://support.apple.com/downloads/quicktime
Mass extinctions are periods in Earth's history when
abnormally large numbers of species die out simultaneously or within a limited
time frame. The Cretaceous-Tertiary (or K-T) extinction event is probably the
best known to many people because it wiped out the dinosaurs, but many other
mass extinction events have occurred throughout the history of the Earth. Some
of these mass extinction events are even more devastating than K-T. The most
severe occurred at the end of the Permian period when approximately 96% of all
species disappeared. Many smaller-scale mass extinctions of plants and animals
have occurred as recorded in the fossil records. Discover more about Earth's
major extinction events below in the following Case Assignment.
Case Assignment
STOP! Before you proceed, make sure that you have read the
Home page for this module and followed the links provided there. This
assignment requires information from those resources.
Case Part I: Geologic History of Earth
The first part of this assignment requires that you consider
the history of extinction on our planet.
From the Sam Noble Museum, answer the following questions:
1. How many
major mass extinction periods are listed here? Follow the links from that page
to learn more about each period. What caused each, and which major groups of
species disappeared from each period?
Read the article link on Recent Extinctions:
2. Choose
two of the recent extinctions listed on this link and explain why they
occurred.
Case Part II: Global Climate Change
Scientists have concerns that human activities are changing
our environment at rapid rates that could result in a sixth mass extinction.
Let’s examine the evidence:
Review the “Recent, Past and Present” section from Mass
Extinctions.
Also review the following link from the NASA website:
https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/
3. Define
greenhouse effect. Describe which gases are important to the greenhouse effect.
4. What were
listed as human activities related to greenhouse gas production from each link?
5. How do
humans contribute to both climate change and major extinction events?
6. Some
scientists think that human activities may be contributing to a sixth mass
extinction event. What specific evidence do they site for this possible event?
(you may need to conduct additional research to support your findings).
Part III: Drawing Conclusions
Now provide a summary that explains what conclusions you can
make for yourself based on the evidence provided and what you now know about
the geologic time scale of the history of the Earth.
Assignment Expectations
Organize this essay assignment using subtitles that
summarize the topic from each question above. For example, to answer Question
1, use a descriptive subtitle like the following: Part I: Geologic History of
the Earth/Major Events.
Answer each question under the subtitle using complete sentences
that relate back to the question. Be sure to use APA formatting throughout your
essay with 1-inch margins, 12-point type, and double spacing throughout.
Include a title page, introduction, answers to the questions with subtitles,
and concluding paragraph. Remember to include in-text citations within the body
of the essay referencing your resources (e.g., Murray, 2014). Also, be sure to
include a reference section at the end of your assignment listing all required
readings and any additional resources you used to complete your essay. A
helpful guide to writing a quality essay can be found in Trident's Student
Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper. This guide also provides links
to example essays written in APA format.
Direct quotes should be limited and must be designated by
quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give credit to the original author, for
example: (Murray, 2014). Direct copying from “homework help” websites will not
receive credit. Once you have completed your assignment within a Word document,
please upload your final version to the Case 2 Dropbox. Please also note your
Turnitin originality score and make revisions as needed. Please contact your
instructor with any questions.
Module 2 -
SLP
MECHANISMS OF CHANGE AND THE FOSSIL RECORD
You learned about the negative impact of economic growth and
human utilization of resources that can lead to global climate change and
extinction. In your Case Assignment, you reviewed many pieces of evidence and
developed your own conclusions about the relationship between human activities
and global climate change. Now review the conclusions that have been drawn by
NASA regarding this information at NASA Climate
Part I: A Closer Look
at the Evidence
For the first part of this assignment, answer these
questions using the NASA website:
1. Describe the graph on the NASA website. What does it show
us about the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere? According to the following
site (the United Kingdom's National Meteorological Service), what recent event
contributed to the rising carbon dioxide levels? Met Office
2. The supporting data on climate change are grouped into
different categories on the NASA website. How are these groups labeled? Is
there agreement on these categories between the NASA website and the UK website
(Met Office). If not, how do they differ?
3. Select the “Effects” tab at the top of this web page:
https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/. Summarize the effects of climate change
listed here in one paragraph. Be sure to address the effect of climate change
on our weather and water resources.
Part II: How Can
Economic Growth Become Part of the Solution?
Read the article from The Economist:
The outlook: Averting the sixth extinction. (2013). The
Economist, 408(8853), 15. Available in the Trident Online Library.
Now answer the following questions regarding economic growth
and climate change discussed in this article in paragraph format.
1. How does economic growth negatively impact other species?
2. What is described as the principal threat to biodiversity
as the global economy and human population grows?
3. Is economic growth necessarily bad for our planet? What
points suggest that economic growth can benefit biodiversity?
4. Conclude your summary by drawing connections between
economic growth, climate change, habitat loss, and biodiversity.
SLP Assignment Expectations
Organize this essay assignment using subtitles that
summarize the topic from each question above. For example, to answer Question
1, use a descriptive subtitle like the following: Part I: A Closer Look at the
Evidence/Recent Events.
Answer each question under the subtitle using complete
sentences that relate back to the question. Be sure to use APA formatting
throughout your essay with 1-inch margins, 12-point type, and double spacing
throughout. Include a title page, introduction, answers to the questions with
subtitles, and concluding paragraph. Remember to include in-text citations
within the body of the essay referencing your resources (e.g., Murray, 2014).
Also, be sure to include a reference section at the end of your assignment
listing all required readings and any additional resources you used to complete
your essay. A helpful guide to writing a quality essay can be found in
Trident's Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper. This guide
also provides links to example essays written in APA format.
Direct quotes should be limited and must be designated by
quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give credit to the original author, for
example: (Murray, 2014). Direct copying from “homework help” websites will not
receive credit. Once you have completed your assignment within a Word document,
please upload your final version to the SLP 2 Dropbox. Please also note your
Turnitin originality score and make revisions as needed. Please contact your
instructor with any questions.
Module 3 -
Case
EFFICIENCY AND ADAPTATION
Assignment Overview
As we begin to consider some parallels between the business
world and the natural world, we can identify some very similar patterns in
extinction, adaptation, and supply and demand in both. For example, an organism
faces many challenges as it attempts to survive in the natural world, just as a
business will struggle to succeed in the marketplace. When resources in the
environment are limited, like consumers in the marketplace, organisms and
businesses will compete. Those that can maximize their efficiency at production
will succeed over those that cannot. Let’s look at how the principles of
economics determine the role that these costs play in the success of species in
the wild and a business in the marketplace.
Case Assignment
Part I
In Module 1 you were first introduced to communities.
Organisms within communities interact primarily through the following ways:
competition, predation, and symbiosis. View the following PowerPoint on
Interactions within Communities. Read about the unusual relationship documented
between Ethiopian wolves and Gelada monkeys at the website below or read about
the symbiotic relationship between badgers and coyotes. Chose only one of the
articles below to answer Part I using the following questions:
1.
Luntz, S. (2015). Symbiotic partnership between
monkeys and wolves discovered. Accessed on IFL Science on August 16, 2016, at
http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/monkey-wolf-symbiosis/
or
2. Haemig, P. D. (2012). Badger-coyote associations.
Ecology. Info 11. Retrieved from http://www.ecology.info/badger-coyote.htm
1. What type of relationship is found between the Gelada
monkeys and Ethiopian wolves or badgers and coyotes?
2. What are the short-term and long-term benefits for each
species you read about in the article you selected?
3. What are some of the costs for each of the species as a
result of their mutual relationship?
4. Do you think their relationship could change if resources
became scarce? Why or why not?
Part II
Now consider the benefits and costs to businesses in the
marketplace: Choose one of the following businesses that are now extinct:
Circuit City, Pan Am, or Tower Records. Address the following questions in Part
II of your assignment:
1. What were
some of the long-run costs associated with operating the business?
2. Who were
their competitors?
3. What were
the factors that contributed to the decision to shut down the business?
4. Do you
think your chosen company could have been successful by adopting a mutually
beneficial partnership, similar to organisms in the wild? Why or why not?
Assignment Expectations
Organize this essay assignment using subtitles that
summarize the topic from each question above. For example, to answer Question
1, use a descriptive subtitle like the following: Part I: Symbiotic
Relationship Between Coyotes and Badgers.
Answer each question under the subtitle using complete
sentences that relate back to the question. Be sure to use APA formatting
throughout your essay with 1-inch margins, 12-point type, and double spacing
throughout. Include a title page, introduction, answers to the questions with
subtitles, and concluding paragraph. Remember to include in-text citations
within the body of the essay referencing your resources (e.g., Murray, 2014).
Also, be sure to include a reference section at the end of your assignment
listing all required readings and any additional resources you used to complete
your essay. A helpful guide to writing a quality essay can be found in
Trident's Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper. This guide
also provides links to example essays written in APA format.
Direct quotes should be limited and must be designated by
quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give credit to the original author, for
example: (Murray, 2014). Direct copying from “homework help” websites will not
receive credit. Once you have completed your assignment within a Word document,
please upload your final version to the Case 3 Dropbox. Please also note your
Turnitin originality score and make revisions as needed. Please contact your
instructor with any questions.
Module 3 -
SLP
EFFICIENCY AND ADAPTATION
All organisms within an ecosystem participate in
relationships with other organisms. Some relationships benefit the organisms
and are essential for both species to survive. Others are detrimental
(negative) to one organism, but critical for the other organism. Symbiosis and
mutualism are not the same thing! Symbiosis is defined as any long-term
relationship between two or more species. Mutualism is a type of symbiosis. Two
other types of symbiosis found in ecosystems are commensalism and parasitism.
Commensalism is when one organism benefits from the relationship, while the
other one is neither helped nor harmed. An example of commensalism is a
barnacle on a whale. The barnacle gets protection and transportation to
different food sources while the whale is neither helped nor harmed by the
presence of the barnacle. Parasitism is when one organism benefits, but harms
the other member in the relationship.
For this SLP assignment, you will research three examples of
symbiosis and develop a PowerPoint presentation that includes the following:
Slide 1: Title Slide
Title Slide with Name, Course, and Date
Slide 2: Introduction
Topics to be covered in outline form
Slide 3: Mutualism
Find an example of mutualism and describe the relationship
between the two organisms. Give three examples (three points that cover the
benefits and at least one drawback) to describe the benefits and potential
limitations of the relationship (remember from your Case assignment, even
mutually beneficial relationships can have drawbacks as noted with the monkeys
and wolves). Show an image to illustrate the relationship.
Slide 4: Commensalism
Find an example of commensalism and describe the
relationship between the two organisms. Give three examples to describe the
benefits and limitations of the relationship. Show an image to illustrate the
relationship.
Slide 5: Parasitism
Find an example of parasitism and describe the relationship
between the two organisms. Give three examples to describe the benefits and
limitations of the relationship. Show an image to illustrate the relationship.
Slides 6-8: Exploring Ecosystems
Watch the following video:
Exploring Ecosystems: Coral Reef Symbiosis | California
Academy of Sciences
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EUUEPinEcQ
Describe two examples of mutualistic relationships found on
the coral reef in the video. Be sure to describe how each organism benefits in
the relationship. Provide images illustrating the relationships. How do these
interactions influence patterns of distribution and abundance within this
ecosystem as a whole?
Slide 9: Conclusion
Summarize your project findings.
Slide 10: References
APA Format
SLP Assignment Expectations
For this SLP assignment, you will develop a PowerPoint
presentation that is 1-10 slides in length and addresses the requirements
outlined above. Place the text containing the answers to the questions above in
the slide area, summarizing each topic using bullet points (in your own words,
expand in more detail using the notes area).
Be sure to include citations referencing your sources on
each slide (use either the slide or notes area). Include a descriptive title
for each slide that describes the topic being discussed. Be sure to include a
title slide with your name, assignment type (e.g., SLP Module 3) and course
title. Include an introduction slide with the subjects you will cover in
outline form. Include a slide summarizing your project findings (Conclusion
slide). Your final slide should contain a list of references cited in APA
format.
Please upload your final presentation to the SLP 3 Dropbox.
Please also note your Turnitin originality score and make revisions as needed.
Please contact your instructor with any questions.
Module 4 -
Case
HABITAT LOSS, LAND USE AND CONSERVATION
Assignment Overview
In this module, you have learned about how carrying capacity
imposes restrictions on population growth, and how human economic growth and
land use can threaten biodiversity. In this Case Assignment you will look at
these topics from three perspectives:
• Case
studies of government regulation of land and trade restrictions to address
threatened species in the Economist article: “Political Responses: Where eagles
dare”
• Examples
of large mammals and the size of the habitat necessary to support them
• The cost
of conservation in a Botanical Garden case study
Case Assignment
Part I
To prepare for this Case Assignment, answer the following in
paragraph format (one paragraph should be plenty):
1. Define
“invasive species” using the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website:
National Invasive Species Information Center. USDA. invasivespeciesinfo.gov
2. Provide
three examples of invasive species in your region.
3. Define
“endemic species,” and provide an example of an endemic species from anywhere
in the world. If you can find an example of an endemic species in your region,
please include it as well.
Now read the following article:
Where eagles dare: The more prosperous countries now favour
protecting wildlife, not killing it. (2013). The Economist. Available in the
Trident Online Library.
After you have read the article, answer the following
questions in paragraph format by using an introduction sentence, related topic
sentences, and a conclusion statement that draws connections between the ideas
presented.
1. Name some
ways that governments are trying to redress threats against endemic species.
Briefly, describe the examples presented in this article.
2. What is
described as the biggest challenge for governments?
3. How are
governments addressing this challenge?
Part II
With habitat loss, less land and resources mean lower carrying
capacity. For the second part of this assignment, you will apply the readings
from your Module 4 Homepage to two cases in which conservation of habitat
applies to carrying capacity and economics. Choose one of these large predators
to investigate: One of the large cats (i.e., lions, cougars, panthers, etc.) or
polar bears.
1. What size
of land/water is required to support this animal?
2. What
pressures threaten this organism’s habitat?
3. What role
do international trade and political regulation play in protecting this
organism? Are these in place and enforced?
Resources
Braun, D. (2012). Lion numbers plunge as African wilderness
succumbs to human pressure. National Geographic Society. Retrieved from
https://voices.nationalgeographic.org/2012/12/06/lion-numbers-plunge-as-african-wilderness-succumbs-to-human-pressure/
Murdock, E., Harrison, R., Frank, A., & Bonnardeaux, D.
(n.d.). Endangered cats of North America. National Wildlife Foundation.
Retrieved fromhttps://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Wildlife/catsreport.ashx
Polar Bears International. Accessed August 1, 2017, at
https://polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears.
Part III
Finally, examine the costs and benefits of conservation
using the Montgomery Botanical Centre as a case study. View the results of a study
on the costs and benefits of preserving a collection of plants at the following
site: http://www.bgci.org/resources/article/0634/
1. What are
the costs associated with maintaining this collection (generally speaking, not
exact numbers)?
2. What are
the benefits of preserving this collection and how are they measured? (Hint:
They are described as “conservation success.”)
3. What part
of this collection gives diminishing returns and why?
4. How does
collection size relate to the efficiency of management of the collection?
5. When is
it most valuable to preserve a plant species?
Assignment Expectations
Organize this essay assignment using subtitles that
summarize the topic from each question above. For example, to answer Question
1, use a descriptive subtitle like the following: Part I: Invasive Species.
Answer each question under the subtitle using complete
sentences that relate back to the question. Be sure to use APA formatting
throughout your essay with 1-inch margins, 12-point type, and double spacing
throughout. Include a title page, introduction, answers to the questions with
subtitles, and concluding paragraph. Remember to include in-text citations
within the body of the essay referencing your resources (e.g., Murray, 2014).
Also, be sure to include a reference section at the end of your assignment
listing all required readings and any additional resources you used to complete
your essay. A helpful guide to writing a quality essay can be found in
Trident's Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper. This guide
also provides links to example essays written in APA format.
Direct quotes should be limited and must be designated by
quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give credit to the original author, for
example: (Murray, 2014). Direct copying from “homework help” websites will not
receive credit. Once you have completed your assignment within a Word document,
please upload your final version to the Case 4 Dropbox. Please also note your
Turnitin originality score and make revisions as needed. Please contact your
instructor with any questions.
Module 4 -
SLP
HABITAT LOSS, LAND USE AND CONSERVATION
For this SLP project, you will research four different
species: one that is extinct, one that is critically endangered, one that is
endangered and one that is (Threatened) Vulnerable. One species must be a Plant
or Fungus, the three remaining species each must be from a different Animal
category (Avian, Amphibian, Reptile, Mammal, or Aquatic/Ocean).
Resources
Endangered animals. Accessed July 31, 2017, at
https://a-z-animals.com/animals/endangered/.
Endangered Species. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Accessed
July 31, 2017, at https://www.fws.gov/endangered/species/us-species.html.
One of the most comprehensive lists of endangered and
extinct animals and plants can be found atThe IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species: http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Slide 1: Title Slide
Student Name, Course Title, and Date
Slide 2: Introduction
Topics to be covered in outline form
Slide 3: Extinct Species
Research an extinct species. Include an image of this
species. Discuss the following questions: Where does this species live (biome,
niche, environment, country)? What is its status on the food chain? When did it
go extinct? What was the major cause of its demise?
Slide 4: Critically Endangered Species
Research a critically endangered species. Include an image
of this species. Discuss the following questions: Approximately how many are
left? When is the estimated time they will become extinct? What is the major
cause of their future demise?
Slide 5: Endangered Species
Research an endangered species. Include an image of this
species. Discuss the following questions: Approximately how many are left? When
is the estimated time they will become extinct? What is the major cause of
their future demise?
Slide 6: Vulnerable Species
Research a vulnerable (threatened) species. Include an image
of this species. How many are there left or have reappeared? What is being done
to help them come back? What was the cause of their decline or demise?
Slide 7: Ecological Impacts
Discuss what will happen or has happened because of the loss
of these species you researched to their environment? (What does it mean to be
a keystone/indicator species?) What are the ecological ramifications on the
community or habitat of other species in the environment as a result of the
decline or loss of these species you researched?
Slide 8: Human Intervention
What are we as a human species doing to stop the loss of
these vulnerable species or what did we try to do for those species that became
extinct? (Discuss examples such as organization/agency involvement and/or
government involvement/education).
Slide 9: Conclusion
Summarize your project findings.
Slide 10: References
List the sources used in APA format.
SLP Assignment Expectations
For this SLP assignment, you will develop a PowerPoint
Presentation that is 1-10 slides in length and addresses the requirements
outlined above. Place the text containing the answers to the questions above in
the slide area, summarizing each topic using bullet points (in your own words,
expand in more detail using the notes area).
Be sure to include citations referencing your sources on
each slide (use either the slide or notes area). Include a descriptive title
for each slide that describes the topic being discussed. Be sure to include a
title slide with your name, assignment type (e.g., SLP Module 4) and course
title. Include an introduction slide with the subjects you will cover in
outline form. Include a slide summarizing your project findings (Conclusion
slide). Your final slide should contain a list of references cited in APA
format.
Please upload your final presentation to the SLP 4 Dropbox.
Please also note your Turnitin originality score and make revisions as needed.
Please contact your instructor with any questions.
Module 1
Discussion
Biodiversity and Human Sustainability
Controlling the loss of biodiversity requires international
legislation. The willingness to participate in conservation initiatives varies
from country to country and is dependent on economics, and social and political
views. Most tropic biomes are located in countries where there are conflicts
between exploration of resources and sustainability. Recent research suggests
that rich, developed countries are frequently doing the least to conserve
biodiversity.
· Choose any
two countries (options can be found in the links below), and then compare and
contrast their efforts to conserve biodiversity (consider threats like habitat
destruction, human-wildlife conflicts, over-hunting, and the growing wildlife
trade). Your response should be 2 or 3 paragraphs in length.
· Compare your
response with those of your classmates.
o How did your
chosen countries differ?
o Did you find a
trend with richer, more developing countries doing less toward supporting
biodiversity?
The following resources can be used to begin your research:
The Data Team. (2017). Who best protects megafauna? The
Economist.
Note: After clicking the link, immediately save the article
to your desktop. You can only access three Economist articles per week without
paying for a subscription.
Gaworecki, M. (2017). Research suggests less affluent
countries more dedicated to wildlife conservation than rich countries. Accessed
July 31, 2017, from Nation of Change at
https://www.nationofchange.org/2017/06/22/research-suggests-less-affluent-countries-dedicated-wildlife-conservation-rich-countries/.
Module 2
Discussion
Extinctions and Endangered Species
In this module’s discussion, we will learn about the
economic and ecological impact of habitat loss on the island country of
Micronesia. The Federated States of Micronesia is a country spread across the
western Pacific Ocean comprising over 600 islands. Micronesia is made up of 4
island states: Pohnpei, Kosrae, Chuuk and Yap. Watch the following video link
about climate changes in Micronesia:
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/asset/prcc12_vid_mctprob1/
As you watch the video, focus on how life has changed for
the islanders and the land itself.
1. What are some specific examples from the video that
suggest ecosystems and the islanders’ way of life are changing?
2. What is a biodiversity hotspot? How does Micronesia meet
the criteria for a biodiversity hotspot?
3. What are some of the causes for the loss of biodiversity
in Micronesia? Describe at least one of the native species (either plant or
animal) that is under threat due to habitat loss or degradation.
Module 3
Discussion
Protecting Biodiversity
In Module 2 you learned about the history of mass
extinctions on Earth and the threat of global climate change. You also explored
ways that economic growth can both help and harm Earth’s biodiversity. In this
module we learn more about economic principles: how they apply in the natural
world, and how they drive some of the positive and negative effects of economic
growth on biodiversity.
For this discussion, read the following articles:
1. Hearts and minds: Stopping the slaughter of endangered
species takes imagination. (2013). The Economist. Available in the Trident
Online Library.
2. Illegal wildlife trade. (n.d.). World Wildlife Fund.
Accessed August 16, 2016, at
http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/illegal-wildlife-trade.
What is the driving force behind the destruction of the
elephant population? What other animal trades are mentioned on the World
Wildlife site? Choose one to research further and describe the market demand
for the product related to the animal at risk. Are any regulations in place?
How are these regulations enforced? Do you think these regulations are
effective at preserving biodiversity? Why or why not? Compare and contrast your
findings with those of your classmates.
Module 4
Discussion
Wildlife Management and Land Use
Population growth and distribution have significant roles to
play in the sustainability of the world's vast resources. Several studies have
indicated that uncontrolled growth of deer populations lead to negative
ecological consequences, including decreased biodiversity. The result of the
deer overpopulation in many areas has led to radical alterations of shrub
architecture, contributing to increased habitat loss for some important species.
Many people have varying opinions on the best way to
approach the issue. Watch the following video about the deer overpopulation in
Wayne County, PA (from 2015).
http://wnep.com/2015/01/06/controversial-plan-to-manage-deer-population/
Also, read the following article: Pursell, A., Weldy, T.
& White, M. (2013). Too Many Deer: A Bigger Threat to Eastern Forests than
Climate Change? Cool Green Science. Accessed at
http://blog.nature.org/science/2013/08/22/too-many-deer/ on August 16, 2016.
1. Why are so many deer populating the eastern forests? How
did regulatory laws, human activity and ecosystem changes cause the deer
population to increase over time?
2. How are the local communities being affected by the deer
population?
3. What are some possible solutions to the overpopulation of
deer in the eastern forests? How could you monitor your proposed solutions in
order to ensure success?
Module 4
Reflection Discussion
Integration and Reflection
1. Which topics and concepts in this course have been most
interesting you?
2. Which class activities or assignments helped you learn
the most?
3. Which concepts did you find the most challenging?
4. Identify topics you did not understand or were unable to
successfully implement, and suggest how to improve the course material on those
topics.
5. How have your feelings about the importance of
biodiversity changed since the beginning of the course?
