Which Species Will Live?
by Michelle Nijhuis
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Source: Scientific American
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Notes:
Summary: In 1973, the Endangered Species Act was passed by the U.S. Congress. They gather up to discuss on how they could save the species. Even Though, it was to late to save most of the species. But it is better to save the ones that matter the most to the ecosystem. The conservation groups made a list of a few hundred endangered species. They would need a conservation triangle in order to decide which species to save. A conservation triangle is a “decision making system loosely based on medical triage where treatment is difficult due to shortage of supplies and money.” So, the Conservation Society made a conservation triangle of function-first and evolution-first. The function-first accounts for species who have a significant role in the ecosystem. They are also considered as “umbrella” species, because without them it can have a great impact on the ecosystem. The evolution-first tries to preserve genetic diversity. It can help the species around the world and adapt to the fast changing environments.
Reflection: While reading this article it made me think on why do we always make a change on the very last moment and why not earlier? But at the same time it makes me realized that we aren't perfect and that it's never to late to make a difference or to save a life. Maybe we might not be able to all of them, but we'll be able to save the ones that do matter in the ecosystems; that have a significant role.
- 1973, Endangered Species Act was passed by the U.S. Congress
- Noah Principle- all species are fundamentally equal, and everything can and should be saved, regardless of its importance to humans
- 1980s- timber and fishing industries tried to change the Endangered Species Act
- Proponents feared that any overt attempt to prioritize endangered species- to apply the general principle of triage- would only strengthen opponents' efforts to try to cut species from the list
- Triage is one of the most provocative ideas in conservation today
- Function First- one way to make a triage decision: the "umbrella" species
- Second approach is the evolution first method of prioritization
Summary: In 1973, the Endangered Species Act was passed by the U.S. Congress. They gather up to discuss on how they could save the species. Even Though, it was to late to save most of the species. But it is better to save the ones that matter the most to the ecosystem. The conservation groups made a list of a few hundred endangered species. They would need a conservation triangle in order to decide which species to save. A conservation triangle is a “decision making system loosely based on medical triage where treatment is difficult due to shortage of supplies and money.” So, the Conservation Society made a conservation triangle of function-first and evolution-first. The function-first accounts for species who have a significant role in the ecosystem. They are also considered as “umbrella” species, because without them it can have a great impact on the ecosystem. The evolution-first tries to preserve genetic diversity. It can help the species around the world and adapt to the fast changing environments.
Reflection: While reading this article it made me think on why do we always make a change on the very last moment and why not earlier? But at the same time it makes me realized that we aren't perfect and that it's never to late to make a difference or to save a life. Maybe we might not be able to all of them, but we'll be able to save the ones that do matter in the ecosystems; that have a significant role.