BIO 280 Wk 1 Discussion: Ecosystems and You

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to other students.

Due Thursday

Respond to the ONE of the three questions below with a minimum of 175 words. This response must be in your own original words and should also include one properly cited and referenced passage from a relevant source.

In Week One we learn the fundamentals of Conservation Biology, biodiversity, species diversity and the related social factors that impact the world around us. Consider the reading and activities that you have completed this week.

1) Do you think of yourself primarily as a conservationist, environmentalist, ecologist, preservationist, or none of these? Why? What are some examples that support your position?

2) Where have you observed an ecosystem change over time? How would you describe the biodiversity–in terms of species richness and evenness–of the place and how the changes affected biodiversity? What are the positive and negative changes?

3) Discuss the specific instrumental and uniqueness value of a species in your region (or a region of interest). How do these values affect this species with regard to human interaction?

Due Monday

Reply to at least two (2) of your classmates with relevant responses of at least 100 words. Each of these responses should add to the information provided by your classmate by either providing your personal experience or providing additional information and/or a new perspective. Cited/referenced material is not required, but should be added when applicable to support your relevant talking points.  Always be constructive and professional in your responses.

Please note:  A response that has been found to be cut/pasted from the text, an outside source or another classmate will be considered plagiarism, which is a serious form of academic dishonesty. Any student found to be plagiarizing will be reported to the University immediately