Exercise 3

February 16, 2023 By: Siyuan Ge

Title:

 Patrols work, but community-based conservation needs a rethink, study shows

By by Malavika Vyawahare on 11 March 2022

Link

https://news.mongabay.com/2022/03/patrols-work-but-community-based-conservation-needs-a-rethink-study-shows/ change in LAHow micro forests can combat climate change in LA

The recent study from Uganda’s Kibale National Park demonstrates the complex nature of conservation efforts and the importance of community engagement. The study found that patrolling has been successful in deterring poaching and increasing the population of nine mammal species, including five monkey species. However, increasing prosperity in neighbouring communities did not necessarily translate into a reduction in illegal activities such as hunting because when people become wealthier, they need more protein. The findings complicate the notion that targeting poverty automatically reduces dependence on protected areas and

suggests that community engagement is essential in conservation efforts. This news article also mentioned the “fortress” model of conservation that excluded resident communities was abandoned in the 1982 World Parks Congress in Bali, which marked a pivot towards approaches that incorporate the well-being of people who live near protected areas. The article challenges us to consider the impact of poverty on conservation efforts and the need to secure wildlife in tropical countries that are often poor. It also emphasizes the importance of balancing conservation goals and community well-being and investing in community-based programs.

Title

Urbanization is driving the evolution of plants globally, a study finds

By Kim Eckart  March 18, 2022

Link

https://www.washington.edu/news/2022/03/18/urbanization-is-driving-evolution-of-plants-globally-study-finds/

 

This news article mentions that the Global Urban Evolution Project (GLUE) analyzed data collected from 160 cities in 26 countries to investigate whether parallel evolution is occurring in cities worldwide. Researchers studied white clover plants, which are present in almost every city, to understand how urban environments affect evolution. The study found that cities are altering trait changes in plants across the globe, with environmental conditions in cities being more similar to each other than to rural habitats. The implications of these findings extend beyond the clover plant and have important implications for the stability and resilience of ecosystems. The study challenges us to think about the impact of urbanization on the natural world and to consider how we can develop strategies to conserve rare species and prevent unwanted pests and diseases from adapting to urban environments. Overall, this article highlights the significant role that urbanization plays in shaping the evolution of life on Earth and underscores the importance of considering the impact of urbanization on the natural world.