After the construction of a dam across
the Khlong Saeng river in Thailand in 1987, a 60 square-mile
reservoir was formed that transformed 150 forested hilltops into
isolated islands that were all very unique. Since the creation of
these islands, Dr. Luke Gibson from the University of Singapore has
been tracking the diversity of mammals on the islands. His reports
show that the extinction of mammals has been happening distressingly
fast. Studies show that when tropical
forests are regularly cleared, n most cases, only original tree cover
is reduced to isolated patches and of the original species of plants
and animals may still survive in those fragments, but they experience
new stresses. The original species will eventually become extinct,
however, extinction should not happen at the rapid rate that it did
on these islands. When Dr. Gibson returned to the islands in 2012, he
found only one species, the Malayan field rat. This discovery was
startling for two reasons—one was the drastic change in diversity,
and the second was the Malayan field rat wasn't on the islands when
they first formed. Dr. Gibson concluded that the small size of the
island forest make them vulnerable to invasion, the rats found the
fragmented forests that they could dominate. This shows that the fast
pace extinction of the forest fragments gives urgency to preserving
the large forests to eliminate this rapid of extinction and
domination by a single species.
As
our world progresses it is very important that we take the
environment into account. Dr. Gibson, mentioned in this article
regarding the rapid extinction he discovered, “Our results should
be a warning, this is the trend that the world is going in.” With
the world becoming more advanced technologically, it is common for
structures (like the dam mentioned in this article) to be built as a
way to work around natural structures and habitats to meet the needs
of humans. However, this is not what is best for our environment.
This article explicitly shows that working around our environment
like this will eventually hurt us, and it may hurt us sooner than we
think. Therefore, it is important that we act against things that
will fragment forests, and work towards conservation of natural
habitats, or we soon may see extinction so vast that would ultimately
destroy our environment.
Overall,
I think this article addresses many interesting and important points.
The topics that it discusses are important for readers to understand
to help start movements towards the conservation of nature. I think
the article was very easy to read and effectively conveyed its point
thoroughly. I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of what happened to
the islands because it gave me a real understanding of what a
“fragmented forest” was and how it could be harmful. Moreover,
the inclusion of quotes from notable scientists and the inclusion of
viable evidence made this article very notable. Overall, I really
enjoyed this article.
Zimmer,
Carl. "In Fragmented Forests, Rapid Mammal Extinctions."
New York Times.
The New York Times, 26 Sept. 2013. Web. 27 Sept. 2013.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/27/science/in-fragmented-forests-rapid-mammal-extinctions.html?ref=science&_r=0>.
I read Caroline's article, "In Fragmented Forests, Rapid Mammal Extinctions." In her summary she talks about how mammals in forests that aren't being taken care of are more rapidly becoming extinct more than we imagined. I thought she did a good job at describing the article and message that the author put together in her own words to try to get the point across to us readers. I also enjoyed how she addressed the problem even more clearly in the second paragraph of her article. She clearly stated that the environments that we surround will cause rapid extinction if they are not taken care of properly. I like how she included that humans were definitely a main issue regarding this. She explained that some "natural" buildings were built in environments for the need for humans, not necessarily for the benefit of the environment. Overall, I thought her explanations were very good, but I thought that the article could have been laid out more simply. I found it a little complicated to follow at certain times. From her article I learned that fragmented environments could cause extinctions in animals and even plants and that we ned to do something about it because these habitats can't do these things on their own.
ReplyDeleteI read Caroline Cory’s review on, “In Fragmented Forests, Rapid Mammal Extinctions,” from the New York Times. Certain aspects of Caroline’s review were particularly well presented. For example, in the first few sentences she clearly and concisely informed the reader on the background of the article, regarding the dam across the Khlong Seang and the effects it has had on the mammals of the island. Caroline was also clear and concise in her second paragraph, in which she addressed the real problem presented in the article, in terms of humans compromising nature and the environment for the own benefit. This paragraph was supported by quotes from the article. Caroline’s last paragraph of her review was also well presented; I agreed with all of the points she identified as the strongest aspects of the article. For instance her saying that the article was not too difficult to read and that it, “effectively conveyed its points thoroughly” with “detailed descriptions.”
ReplyDeleteWhile the opening of the review was very strong, I think the first paragraph of the review could be improved by being tightened up a little. I think the initial paragraph got progressively less clear and her description of the points of the article became perhaps more complicated than necessary. Another improvement could be her connection to us. She does connect the issue of nature destruction to all of humanity but not really to us or to herself personally.
One thing I was shocked to learn from the article and review was that so many mammals are currently and endangered and going extinct! Having taken AP Environmental Science, I was aware of humanity’s impact on nature but I was still surprised to read about the massive effect we are causing to these environments. I realized we have to do more for the plants and animals who can’t fight for themselves when their home is being fragmented.
I read Caroline Cory’s current event report on the article entitled “In Fragmented Forests, Rapid Mammal Extinctions.” Caroline’s current event report was very well done. She did a good job explaining the importance of the information that she presented. For example, she explained how the fast pace extinction of the forest fragments gives urgency to preserving the large forests to eliminate this rapid of extinction and domination by a single species. Also, her summary of the article and the facts provided by the author were very detailed and left the reader with a good understanding of what and how it occurred. For example, her description of Dr. Gibson’s results was very insightful. In addition, I thought that Caroline did a good job explaining what the article did well. For example, she wrote that she liked how the author included quotes from notable scientists and viable evidence. Overall, I think that Emma made the report interesting while finishing the tasks that were stated in the rubric.
ReplyDeleteOverall, the blog contained many good facts and interesting analysis. However, she could have improved the blog. Her blog had too many grammatical mistakes. She should have re-read her report more thoroughly before putting it on the blog. Moreover, although Caroline did a nice job addressing what the article did well, I thought that she could have stated what she did not like about the article as well. Likewise, I thought that Caroline could have included statistics comparing the normal rate of extinction and the rate of extinction on the isolated islanded in Thailand. Just knowing that the rate was much faster on the islands is not enough. I would have liked to know how much faster the rate was. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the blog since I learned a lot from it about forests and mammal extinctions.
I think that Caroline’s current event report was well done and included many interesting facts. For example, I was shocked that they were able to transform 150-forested hilltops into isolated islands that were all very unique. In addition, I thought that it was very interesting how the author was able to track the diversity of mammals on the islands. Overall, I think that Caroline did a very nice job.