Issue
The issue in which I have chosen to research is Biodiversity of Conservation. Species diversity, genetic diversity, and and ecosystem diversity are the threes-groups that Biodiversity Conservation is made up of. Species diversity is home to the plants, animals, and microorganisms that occupy this earth. Genetic diversity is trying to preserve genes that allow species to evolve in response to diseases, predators, parasites, pollution, and climate change (Kearns, 2010). Finally, ecosystem diversity, there are a number of different ecosystems that different species call home such as, desert, wetlands, and rainforests. Also, ecosystem diversity includes, abiotic factors such as wind, rain, snow, and sun. Biodiversity Conservation is trying to protect and preserve all the different species on the planet from extinction. For 3.5 billion years Earth has been home to a number of different species, with that said 95% of those species are now excitant (Kearns, 2010).
Question
QUESTION When considering Biodiversity Conservation, the question that stands out is how does the loss of biodiversity alter the stability of the ecosystem? Also, what is being done to protect ecosystems from destruction? What overall effects does the loss of biodiversity have as a whole on the ecosystem?
Science Resources
My first source is titled: “Applied natural sciences.” (2017). Asheville, NC: Soomo Learning I chose this source as my first source because it provided me with the information that I would need to successfully complete my paper. It describes the natural sciences in a way that other sources I had looked up did not. This will be very helpful for my paper.
My second source is titled “What specific plant traits support ecosystem services such as pollination, bio-control and water quality protection in temperate climates?” I chose this as my second source because it is important to note how our ecosystem may positively or negatively affect or play a role in temperate climates.
My third source is titled “Habitat loss alters the architecture of plant—pollinator interaction networks.” I chose this source because habitat loss can have a negative effect on the number, abundance, and composition of species in plant–pollinator communities. Although we have a general understanding of the negative consequences of habitat loss for biodiversity, much less is known about the resulting effects on the pattern of interactions in mutualistic networks.This source will help me further explain why my the issue I chose is a problem.
Audience and Message
I would like to present my research and presentation on biodiversity conservation for a town hall meeting. By using a town hall meeting as my venue I would be able to reach the general public and government officials on my topic of biodiversity conservation. In order to engage my audience, I need to use simple language and scientific knowledge to help explain the issue. Also, by helping my audience rediscover a connection to nature in order to explain the importance of biodiversity conservation, that if the human species does not stop and start preserving the natural habitats we will end up depleting these free natural resources that we take for granted. According to Brian and Brian, “habitat loss remains a significant threat to biodiversity” (2013). By helping my audience understand the issue of biodiversity and giving them information based on scientific proof will help my audience make the choice that we can prevent further damage from happening. I would also, bring my audience attention toward something they would be familiar with pollination which stems from the plant pollinator relationship. This relationship is essential to not only human survival but other species as well. Pollination is essential for growing crops in which several species consume. According to Brian and Brian, the human attitude toward the plant pollinator relationship is that it’s free and will always be available (2013). With the destruction of the natural landscape and increased agriculture has strained pollinators.
Identify Principles
Habitat loss can have a negative effect in my research because it is a threat to environmental change we must become aware of the things that affect biodiversity and the stability of the communities that provide critical ecosystem functions and services.
Explain Principles
Habitat loss being a threat to environmental change is relevant to my issue and question because theory suggests that an increase in modularity with habitat loss will threaten community stability, which may contribute to an extinction debt in communities already affected by habitat loss.
Hypothesis and Natural Scientist
My hypothesis would be that biodiversity would drop as time increases if climate change goes unchecked. To test it, I would make a climate and biodiversity model that accounted for checked and unchecked for climate change. A comparison between the two outcomes should show if there is a pattern and what that pattern might be if it exists. Comparing the outcomes to existing models should show if there are any inaccuracies in the model or if there are any similarities to existing models. If the model aligns with others, the data from the resulting extinction rate can be considered useful.
Reference List
Applied natural sciences. (2017). Asheville, NC: Soomo Learning
Blowers C, Cunningham H, Wilcox A, Randall N. What specific plant traits support ecosystem services such as pollination, bio-control and water quality protection in temperate climates? A systematic map protocol.Environmental Evidence[serial online]. February 2017;6:1-8.
Brian J., S., & Brian D., I. (2013). Habitat loss alters the architecture of plant—pollinator interaction networks. Ecology, (12), 2688.