1) Do you think anthropocentric or ecocentric arguments are more likely to convince the world that biodiversity is important? (200 – 250 words).

I believe that a mixture of anthropocentric and ecocentric arguments are the best way to convince people that biodiversity is important. I think that anytime something directly benefits us we are more likely to take it seriously, but if we are only concerned about what we can get from something then we are more likely to exploit the resource even further. For example let’s say that we only rely on anthropocentric arguments to preserve biodiversity. We tell people that we need to save the rain forests because the cure for some disease such as cancer may be hidden within its jungle walls. This argument holds solid until we find the hypothetical plant that contains the cure for the disease. Since we are only concerned about what we can get out of the rain forest, we will then likely cut down the entire rain forest in search of more of these plants or others like it. I believe that in order to preserve the rain forests we must consider more than our own direct benefits from it. If we hold a mixture of ecocentric and anthropocentric values, when we find the plant that contains the cure we would still value the ecosystem and its biodiversity for its own existence and preserve it.

2) What are some threats to biodiversity in your hometown or areas near you? (200 -250 words)

In this module we learned about the “H.I.P.P.O.” acronym that  accounts for biodiversity loss associated with habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, human population, and over harvesting. In my area there are a few invasive plant species such as multiflora rose which threaten to choke out native shrubs by preventing them from getting sunlight. We also have insects such as gypsy moths, emerald ash borers, Japanese bettles, and stink bugs that over-consume plants while going largely unchecked by local predatory animals. Habitat loss is another major threat to biodiversity in my area. One native species that is currently endangered due to habitat loss in my area is the bog turtle. Last summer I had an internship with a local environmental engineering consulting firm, and we had an intern on staff who’s only job was to look for bog turtles in areas where we were about to do bridge construction. If he found a bog turtle in the area we would have to redesign the bridge in a way that didn’t inhibit the bog turtle’s travel routs. My company also dealt with storm sewer water that was often polluted by salt and oil from roads. This polluted water would have to be treated so that it wouldn’t harm sensitive fish and invertebrates in the local trout streams.

3) Research a threat to biodiversity that deals with an area other than your hometown or the rainforests. Write a 150 – 200 word summary and site your source. 

I read an article that explained how rising levels of CO2 and decreasing pH in the ocean are causing shellfish to have weaker and ineffective shells. The more acidic water weakens the calcium carbonate shells of shellfish and can weaken the bones of many other marine organisms. While the higher CO2 and lower pH is bad for shell fish, it is great for algae and sea grasses that rely on CO2. This can lead to algae explosions which can choke out other marine life and cause further problems. The lower pH threatens shellfish that we consume directly such as oysters and clams, and also organisms that are food sources for salmon and other fish such as pteropods. It also threatens the coral reefs that are the hub of diversity in the ocean. The acidic sea water eats away at the limestone structures that many coral species construct, and this threatens the entire coral reef ecosystem. Clearly we can see that steps need to be taken to reduce global CO2 and prevent ocean acidification.