Article One: General information about biodiversity, global extinction, connection to overpopulation.
"Is it really possible to save our biodiversity?” The Jakarta Post. 09 Feb. 2010. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. Link.
Summary:
This article starts off with a fact that I was unaware of prior to reading—2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations. Tropic areas are the most biodiverse habitats, which is what the majority of this article focuses on. Tropical forests contribute to large portions of all of nature’s diversity. The article warns that the destruction that these habitats and species’ ecosystems are currently experiencing will lead to a global species extinction crisis. The writer also mentions the difference between primary and secondary forests. Secondary forests are forests regenerating after clearing. This means that the species composition is not the same as the original. Primary forests in the tropics, which contain original compositions of plants and animals, are projected to be more restricted to low population density areas, relatively low value agricultural lands and protected areas. Overpopulation and biodiversity have a slight connection, but the article clarifies that the amount of people isn’t necessarily the problem, it’s the overuse of natural resources and land clearing. The increase in human density may not be avoided. The article states that more controlled population growth as well as managing its distribution is needed in order to save our ecosystems and biodiversity.
Important Quotes:
“The loss of one species does not only mean that we just lose that species, but also means it is a decline for the ecosystem.”
“Human population growth indeed affects biodiversity. However, over-exploitation of natural resources speeds up the disaster. Mining activities, timber extractions and land clearing for other purposes are main examples of direct impact of human economic activities.”
“Unfortunately, this condition is not only due to the economic needs of local people, but it is much more related to the greed of industrialization. In fact, mining activities, for example, do not contribute significantly to local economies. They usually just cause environmental problems for the locals.”
Article Two: Biodiversity offsetting, using land techniques on marine ecosystems.
Abdulla, Ameer. "Biodiversity Offsets and Marine and Coastal Development." Ecosystem Marketplace. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. Link.
Summary:
Biodiversity offsetting is measurable conservation resulting from actions designed to compensate for significant residual adverse biodiversity impacts from project development. The goal of biodiversity offsets is to achieve no net loss and ultimately a net gain of biodiversity on the ground with respect to species composition, habitat structure, ecosystem function and people’s use and cultural values associated with biodiversity. This article proposes the idea of transferring biodiversity offsetting on land to use at sea. The activities that take place in the ocean are affecting marine and coastal ecosystems that live there. Biodiversity offsetting may be a tool used to preserve marine animals and help them thrive. Offset locations should be those with the highest potential for biodiversity gain. They should have the highest quality of biodiversity per unit area, and they should also be realistically doable. Being able to keep the ocean biodiverse will be very important in the present and future, as marine life is so closely connected to our own existence.
Important Quotes:
“Contrary to popular opinion, biodiversity offsets do not give developers the right to run roughshod over fragile ecosystems in exchange for cash, but are seen as a last resort to be utilized only in certain circumstances.”
“Biodiversity Offsetting is one emerging multidisciplinary tool that has the potential to enhance corporate environmental responsibility in a multitude of different settings where human and biodiversity values may conflict.”
Article Three: Biodiversity benefits, medical breakthroughs, importance of learning about rare species.
Moeller, Holly. "Biodiversity misses the point - The Tech." The Tech - MIT's Oldest and Largest Newspaper. 09 Feb. 2010. Web. 11 Feb. 2010. Link.
Summary:
This article was written by a MIT graduate student who explained why biodiversity should be important to us as humans. Besides a sense of moral obligation to protect life around us, there are many benefits for humanity because of biodiversity. Scientists constantly screen marine compounds for antibiotic and chemotherapeutic activity. Medical breakthroughs can be attained by these tiny microbes. Nature also inspires new technology and brings us technological advancements. Millions of species remain undiscovered, and their potential and possible importance to humanity is unknown. “And, with human activity driving species extinctions at 100 to 1,000 times the normal background rate, we could lose the cure for cancer or the clue to new photovoltaic technology without ever knowing it existed.”
Important Quotes:
“This year, the United Nations wants us to move beyond iconic and charismatic species (like the World Wildlife Fund’s panda) and recognize the importance of all life on Earth — that is, our world’s biodiversity."
“As extinction rates rise and threats from climate change and habitat loss expand, the U.N. hopes to inspire equal protection for all life forms.”
“It’s time to get a bit more ruthless with our priorities and more creative with our pocketbooks. We must plan to preserve today’s world, but also anticipate tomorrow’s needs and limitations. That means not just tallying the genes, but also seeing the bigger picture.”
Write-Up & Project Proposal:
Biodiversity is a driving force that can determine success or failure of an ecosystem and species. Losing a species is much more detrimental to its ecosystem than one may think. Biodiversity is vital in allowing all species to thrive. My senior project partner and I have been talking about what we would like to create for our sci-fi movie. Our current idea is to create a film that would begin by showing the year 2110 as if we lived the next 100 years without making any changes in the way we treat our environment. We would show a more somber looking Earth, show a lack of resources and humanity and other species in despair. After showing the worst-case scenario, our video would rewind to 2010 and show people taking steps in a more positive direction for our environment. We have talked about showing quick details, like the US signing onto the Kyoto Protocol, conserving water, saving biodiversity, integrating legislative power, etc. After this, our video would fast forward to the new 2110—a bright and happy planet Earth! Showing short, powerful representation of the steps mentioned above would give people the idea that our future is dependent on our actions today. The way we treat our environment and the new steps that we take to make it better will put us in a much better place 100 years from now. The inspiration for our video is from the idea of the butterfly effect—one small action can completely change the course of events.
"Is it really possible to save our biodiversity?” The Jakarta Post. 09 Feb. 2010. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. Link.
Summary:
This article starts off with a fact that I was unaware of prior to reading—2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations. Tropic areas are the most biodiverse habitats, which is what the majority of this article focuses on. Tropical forests contribute to large portions of all of nature’s diversity. The article warns that the destruction that these habitats and species’ ecosystems are currently experiencing will lead to a global species extinction crisis. The writer also mentions the difference between primary and secondary forests. Secondary forests are forests regenerating after clearing. This means that the species composition is not the same as the original. Primary forests in the tropics, which contain original compositions of plants and animals, are projected to be more restricted to low population density areas, relatively low value agricultural lands and protected areas. Overpopulation and biodiversity have a slight connection, but the article clarifies that the amount of people isn’t necessarily the problem, it’s the overuse of natural resources and land clearing. The increase in human density may not be avoided. The article states that more controlled population growth as well as managing its distribution is needed in order to save our ecosystems and biodiversity.
Important Quotes:
“The loss of one species does not only mean that we just lose that species, but also means it is a decline for the ecosystem.”
“Human population growth indeed affects biodiversity. However, over-exploitation of natural resources speeds up the disaster. Mining activities, timber extractions and land clearing for other purposes are main examples of direct impact of human economic activities.”
“Unfortunately, this condition is not only due to the economic needs of local people, but it is much more related to the greed of industrialization. In fact, mining activities, for example, do not contribute significantly to local economies. They usually just cause environmental problems for the locals.”
Article Two: Biodiversity offsetting, using land techniques on marine ecosystems.
Abdulla, Ameer. "Biodiversity Offsets and Marine and Coastal Development." Ecosystem Marketplace. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. Link.
Summary:
Biodiversity offsetting is measurable conservation resulting from actions designed to compensate for significant residual adverse biodiversity impacts from project development. The goal of biodiversity offsets is to achieve no net loss and ultimately a net gain of biodiversity on the ground with respect to species composition, habitat structure, ecosystem function and people’s use and cultural values associated with biodiversity. This article proposes the idea of transferring biodiversity offsetting on land to use at sea. The activities that take place in the ocean are affecting marine and coastal ecosystems that live there. Biodiversity offsetting may be a tool used to preserve marine animals and help them thrive. Offset locations should be those with the highest potential for biodiversity gain. They should have the highest quality of biodiversity per unit area, and they should also be realistically doable. Being able to keep the ocean biodiverse will be very important in the present and future, as marine life is so closely connected to our own existence.
Important Quotes:
“Contrary to popular opinion, biodiversity offsets do not give developers the right to run roughshod over fragile ecosystems in exchange for cash, but are seen as a last resort to be utilized only in certain circumstances.”
“Biodiversity Offsetting is one emerging multidisciplinary tool that has the potential to enhance corporate environmental responsibility in a multitude of different settings where human and biodiversity values may conflict.”
Article Three: Biodiversity benefits, medical breakthroughs, importance of learning about rare species.
Moeller, Holly. "Biodiversity misses the point - The Tech." The Tech - MIT's Oldest and Largest Newspaper. 09 Feb. 2010. Web. 11 Feb. 2010. Link.
Summary:
This article was written by a MIT graduate student who explained why biodiversity should be important to us as humans. Besides a sense of moral obligation to protect life around us, there are many benefits for humanity because of biodiversity. Scientists constantly screen marine compounds for antibiotic and chemotherapeutic activity. Medical breakthroughs can be attained by these tiny microbes. Nature also inspires new technology and brings us technological advancements. Millions of species remain undiscovered, and their potential and possible importance to humanity is unknown. “And, with human activity driving species extinctions at 100 to 1,000 times the normal background rate, we could lose the cure for cancer or the clue to new photovoltaic technology without ever knowing it existed.”
Important Quotes:
“This year, the United Nations wants us to move beyond iconic and charismatic species (like the World Wildlife Fund’s panda) and recognize the importance of all life on Earth — that is, our world’s biodiversity."
“As extinction rates rise and threats from climate change and habitat loss expand, the U.N. hopes to inspire equal protection for all life forms.”
“It’s time to get a bit more ruthless with our priorities and more creative with our pocketbooks. We must plan to preserve today’s world, but also anticipate tomorrow’s needs and limitations. That means not just tallying the genes, but also seeing the bigger picture.”
Write-Up & Project Proposal:
Biodiversity is a driving force that can determine success or failure of an ecosystem and species. Losing a species is much more detrimental to its ecosystem than one may think. Biodiversity is vital in allowing all species to thrive. My senior project partner and I have been talking about what we would like to create for our sci-fi movie. Our current idea is to create a film that would begin by showing the year 2110 as if we lived the next 100 years without making any changes in the way we treat our environment. We would show a more somber looking Earth, show a lack of resources and humanity and other species in despair. After showing the worst-case scenario, our video would rewind to 2010 and show people taking steps in a more positive direction for our environment. We have talked about showing quick details, like the US signing onto the Kyoto Protocol, conserving water, saving biodiversity, integrating legislative power, etc. After this, our video would fast forward to the new 2110—a bright and happy planet Earth! Showing short, powerful representation of the steps mentioned above would give people the idea that our future is dependent on our actions today. The way we treat our environment and the new steps that we take to make it better will put us in a much better place 100 years from now. The inspiration for our video is from the idea of the butterfly effect—one small action can completely change the course of events.
I really like the idea for your senior project, it makes me think how I can personally make a difference even though i am insignificant.
ReplyDeleteI think that your research is solid, maybe you should look towards research of what is projected to be the species outlook for the next hundred years. I think you are on the right track.
I think you have a really comprehensive review of all your articles, I would really keep in mind the compare and contrast element here and use direct parallels from both films
ReplyDeleteIt certainly seems as though you did extensive research. I appreciate the fact that you explained the article in detailed and provided excerpts that give an insight on why biodiversity is important.
ReplyDeleteFor your project, I suggest you focus on the United Nation's declaration of 2010 being bio-diversity year! I think it's a great idea and certainly one that requires more attention - something you can provide!
Great job!
I found your research really interesting and full of detail.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering when you mentioned, "Overpopulation and biodiversity have a slight connection, but the article clarifies that the amount of people isn’t necessarily the problem, it’s the overuse of natural resources and land clearing. The increase in human density may not be avoided." What was your view/opinion on this issue.