Author: charlescu

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Adopt A Topic Phase II: Part V

Shin, E. (2015, October 23). Research finds that solar energy development can harm biodiversity, agriculture | The Daily Californian. Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://www.dailycal.org/2015/10/22/research-finds-that-solar-energy-development-can-harm-biodiversity-agriculture/

 

In a somewhat ironic twist, this article points out the harmful effects of solar power on biodiversity in California. While most believe solar power is the cleanest and safest form of energy possible, the placement of our solar panel systems has had adverse effects on the surrounding ecosystem. Many of these systems are erected close to agricultural and protected areas, which has gone against the policy of finding “compatible” locations for them (according to the article, only 15% of the systems are in compatible areas).

 

I think this is a really interesting article for many reasons. In a way it is saddening to see that many of these solar companies have little to no regard for the surrounding environment, despite running a business that has the purpose of conservation. It is important that we make sure that solar power companies are not given a pass for their actions because of the nature of their business, because we cannot throw biodiversity to the side just to conserve resources.

 

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Adopt A Topic Phase II: Part IV

Marty, J. (2015, September 1). Fire Effects on Plant Biodiversity Across Multiple Sites in California Vernal Pool Grasslands. Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://er.uwpress.org/content/33/3/266.abstract

 

Yet again, this article is a specific example of the effects of the drought on biodiversity in California. Wildfires have spread in larger quantities and have become harder to stop, and many species that grow in the grasslands are being threatened. California has a large amount of exotic plants that are endemic to the state, which means they are facing extinction if these problems continue. Not only are these wildfires a direct threat to humans, but an indirect threat to us as well by cutting down the amount of species in our ecosystem.

 

Having an example of biodiversity that will be easily recognized is important. Most people tend to ignore protests against the death of species that seem irrelevant; however, with an issue like wildfires that many people are affected by, it is easier for people to relate and want to solve these problems. The effects of biodiversity loss are not often felt immediately, which means that we must find other ways for people to understand it’s importance and incentivize them to take action.

 

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Adopt A Topic Phase II: Part III

Why Landscape with Locally Native Plants. (2015, August 24). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://backtonatives.org/2015/08/24/why-natives/

 

This article has a lot of very important information about why California is such an important place for biodiversity. There is a particularly large number of endemic species in the state, especially in Southern California which is considered a biodiversity “hotspot”, one of 25 across the globe. The article also is directed towards encouraging California citizens to grow native plant species in their gardens to prevent biodiversity loss. The importance of preserving these areas, especially the hotspots, cannot be overstated: according to the article, over 60% of the world’s species live in these hotspots, even though they only cover 1.45% of the world’s surface.


I really think these statistics are crucial to understanding why biodiversity loss is a top priority in our state. California’s species play an important role in the balance of our environment, and not only in just our state. I also think it is very important for individual citizens to do what they can to help avoid this potential crisis, instead of leaving it to organizations or lawmakers. We can each play a part in the health of our state, which is an idea that we must all understand.

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Adopt A Topic Phase II: Part II

Fell, A. (2015, August 3). Changing ocean affecting salmon biodiversity and survival. Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://blogs.ucdavis.edu/egghead/2015/08/03/changing-ocean-affecting-salmon-biodiversity-and-survival/

 

This article finds a very specific case of biodiversity loss in the case of the Chinook and coho salmon. Since the effects of El Nino have begun, an eastern Pacific warming pattern called the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) has changed drastically. These two species of salmon, once thought to be completely unrelated, have both seen dramatic changes in population numbers due to their dependence on this warming pattern, and the effects will soon be felt in the coastal food chains that rely on these salmon, and the local fisherman in Northern California.


It is very useful to find a specific example of the effects of biodiversity loss. I also find that having a relevant example to things that are currently happening in California makes it easier to relate the topic to our society. It is very important to understand what affects biodiversity, because most people assume that humans are always the cause of biodiversity loss, but in this case it is almost completely out of our hands.

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Adopt-A-Topic Phase II Part I

Albright, W. (2015, October 27). Safeguarding California: Implemental Action Plans. Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://resources.ca.gov/docs/climate/Safeguarding California_Implementation Action Plans 2015 (CNRA).pdf

 

This article has a lot of very important ideas about biodiversity in California. The main focus is the impact of recent weather events on biodiversity, especially the drought. It also points out the fact that there are accelerated growths of invasive species in the state, which are rapidly pushing the native species out of the food chain. In addition to listing these problems and explaining them, it also shows the treatments and legislation that is being applied in order to solve these problems, or explaining what else can be done to better the environmental conditions for native species. However, the author does concede that some of these problems may be unsolvable.


I found this article to be extremely helpful in developing my argument. Instead of a simple opinion piece, this is a full-blown synopsis of the environmental problems in California, filled with useful information. It is very helpful to have a source that combines many valuable aspects of different sources into one easily accessible and understandable report. There is also the benefit of having many authors which gives different opinions instead of one unified point of view.

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Adopt-A-Topic Phase One

Charlie Cummings

Mr. Powell

8/22/15

AP Environmental Science 4th Period

 

Adopt-a-Topic: Biodiversity Phase One

 

Shah, A. (2014, January 19). Loss of Biodiversity and Extinctions. Retrieved August 24, 2015, from http://www.globalissues.org/article/171/loss-of-biodiversity-and-extinctions

 

The human impact on biodiversity is growing yearly. Species are going extinct at a rate on par with periods of mass extinction in the past, mostly due to human consumption of resources and a destruction of habitats. Nearly 60% of species in the world are now threatened by extinction to a certain degree, and conservation efforts have not nearly done enough to slow the pace of destruction. Not only does this mean certain species are being completely eliminated, but their loss will cause a great deal of disorder in their ecosystems, which in turn will affect agricultural systems and make life more difficult for humans themselves.

 

This article is very relevant because biodiversity has a far-reaching significance in the natural world, meaning it is a precious balance that alters the life of all species living in an ecosystem. It is important for humans to play their part to maintain the fragile ecosystem, and having an understanding of the natural world and how it works is vital to knowing the impact of our actions. Without knowledge of environmental science, humans would have no way of knowing how to preserve our world through biodiversity.

 

Rischard, J. (2015, March 15). Biodiversity and Ecosystem Loss. Retrieved September 5, 2015, from http://globalissuesnetwork.org/learn-about-our-global-issues/biodiversity-and-ecosystem-loss/

 

Biodiversity also has a significant impact on the ecosystem services that we as humans often take for granted. When certain animal and plant species are removed from the environmental equation, it can have disastrous effects on the supply of clean water and the safety of crops from pests and disease, which puts the health of millions of humans at risk.

 

This article gives lots of insight as to the ways we are affected by fluctuation in the levels of biodiversity. Understanding the value of these aspects of the ecosystem to humans is a key part of environmental science, and the introduction of a monetary value to these systems makes the connection to agricultural business that makes this article so useful.

 

Oliver, T. (2014, February 12). Interactions between climate change and land use change on biodiversity: Attribution problems, risks, and opportunities. Retrieved September 5, 2015, from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wcc.271/abstract

 

The far-spread effects of  biodiversity have often been underestimated by humans. Not only does it have significantly positive impacts on agriculture, but there are many species that have health benefits to humans that are being slowly eradicated without consequence. This will make it more difficult for future generations to combat disease, or handle the loss of other services that these species provide. It also severely hampers farming, as shown in the other articles.

 

This article has many good points about biodiversity and its impact on other aspects of the ecosystem. Without it, it would be hard to have a sustainable ecosystem to live in and study. I found this article very helpful, but it was also a bit of a shock seeing how unnoticed this issue is.

 

What are the major reasons why we are losing so much biodiversity? (2015, May 13). Retrieved September 5, 2015, from http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/biodiversity/threatsto_biodiversity/

 

This article gives lots of insight into the numbers behind biodiversity loss. It shows why it is so important, and the many ways it can impact humans. It is important to know how we can change this issue, but also how it can change us.

 

Having statistics about biodiversity loss is an invaluable resource. Its hard to quantify the effects of a wide-ranging issue like biodiversity, but using statistics to back up the argument makes it much more effective. It is important to back up an argument, and this article has plenty of backup.

 

Lundgren, J. (2015, July 31). As biodiversity declines on corn farms, pest problems grow. Retrieved September 5, 2015, from http://theconversation.com/as-biodiversity-declines-on-corn-farms-pest-problems-grow-45477

 

It is true that there is a great amount that is known about biodiversity and its impact, but on the flipside, much is completely unknown. The farming industry has been deeply impacted by this issue, having disastrous effects on farmers, their families, and people who buy their products. It shows a real life example of the human impact from biodiversity.


Since biodiversity is a developing field, it is a good parallel towards environmental science. Environmental science is a constantly changing and developing field, it makes the process of understanding it very easy when also comparing biodiversity. I found this article very helpful because it gave a different perspective on biodiversity, which can give a different dimension to any arguments regarding the subject.