Article Title: Which Species to Save? SA Article
Author: Michelle Nijhuis
Key Points:
Summary:
Many of Earth's species are becoming threatened, endangered, or even getting as close to becoming extinct. Whether it's from overexploitation, loss of habitats, pollution, etc., our actions have put them in a situation that could get them wiped off the face of the planet. A group of conservationist have grouped up together to collect strategies to counter this situation. Due to budget loss, the conservationist have a problem themselves as they are not able to protect as many species as the have been able to before. Using some new systems of triage, they are constantly exchanging decisions as to which species are more important than other. Some will agree with the hotspots approach which prefer that ecosystems that are considered hotspots should become first priority. Others like the evolution-first approach which favors the genetic diversity of species. Some like the function-first approach which favors species with unique jobs like an umbrella species to be put ahead first. No matter what they choose, it is really hard to say the final decision because of the many species that are needed to survive.
My thoughts:
I think that conservationist have a very difficult situation right now. To put the fate of a whole species in your hand shouldn't be easy at all, but if I were in that situation, I would have to choose the function-first approach. Due to many organisms relying on the survival of the species, I believe that they should be put first. Succession also relies on these species and how can an ecosystem survive if they are dead? Many organisms can live if these species live.
- Conservationists are forces to determine which species we should save and which to let go
- Conservation groups cannot afford to protect many animals and plants like they have before.
- They have turned to new systems of triage to find which species should be saved or left to die.
- As budgets sink environmental problems grow more and more
- Conservation triage are usually based on medical triage
- Sooner or later a species will be vulnerable and will become too hard to save .
- Triage is one of the most provocative ideas in conservation as of today.
- Researches aim to make triage decisions to make full benefit for nature as a whole.
- Umbrella species should be ensured protection first
- EDGE favors the most genetically unusual species first.
- Evolution-first as an approach emphasizes the protection of genetic diversity
- Hotspot approach prefers high diversity in ecosystems first.
- Marxan computer program aims to strengthen the effectiveness of conservation reserves
- Protected areas and parks are difficult to establish and police
- Resource allocation process was used to analyze strategies for 710 declining native species.
- Many conservationist are scared to take responsibility for the final decisions of the triage.
- In the 1980's some argued that some species should die with dignity
- Condors were bred but let free in the wild and 217 fly today
- Climate change shifts species range.
- Climate change, population expansion, and many other things stress biodiversity
- For better change, society will need to take expensive efforts
- Scholars have suggested ways to reform the endangered species act to recken with the reality.
Summary:
Many of Earth's species are becoming threatened, endangered, or even getting as close to becoming extinct. Whether it's from overexploitation, loss of habitats, pollution, etc., our actions have put them in a situation that could get them wiped off the face of the planet. A group of conservationist have grouped up together to collect strategies to counter this situation. Due to budget loss, the conservationist have a problem themselves as they are not able to protect as many species as the have been able to before. Using some new systems of triage, they are constantly exchanging decisions as to which species are more important than other. Some will agree with the hotspots approach which prefer that ecosystems that are considered hotspots should become first priority. Others like the evolution-first approach which favors the genetic diversity of species. Some like the function-first approach which favors species with unique jobs like an umbrella species to be put ahead first. No matter what they choose, it is really hard to say the final decision because of the many species that are needed to survive.
My thoughts:
I think that conservationist have a very difficult situation right now. To put the fate of a whole species in your hand shouldn't be easy at all, but if I were in that situation, I would have to choose the function-first approach. Due to many organisms relying on the survival of the species, I believe that they should be put first. Succession also relies on these species and how can an ecosystem survive if they are dead? Many organisms can live if these species live.
So what?Many species are under the fate of the conservationist. If they are not on the list of conservation then the species will likely face extinction.
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Says who?Says many conservationist and Michelle Nijhuis, the author.
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What if?What if we had more money to fund the conservationists?
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This reminds me of...This reminds me of Judge Judy because of how the outcomes are based on the judge's decision.
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