Which of the following problems would you focus on first and why?

Question

Pretend that a conservation organization hired you to lead efforts to reduce the loss of biodiversity in a tropical country. Which of the following problems would you focus on first and why: habitat destruction and fragmentation, hunting and fishing activity, harvesting of wild species for commercial sale, or introduction of exotic organisms?

Answer 1

The answer is all four--because failure to address any one of those factors would result in the destruction of the ecosystem in question. But I would set a set of time-oriented priorities--as follows:
1) stop introduction of exotic species. This is the easiest and least difficult to "get done" politically
2) Commercial harvesting. This is extremely destructive of the environment--and a region can be stripped in extremely short periods of time. Harvesting should be allowed on a regulated basis so that speciies are not stress beyond sustainable levels.
3) destruction fo habitat. Essentially this means stopping development, except to the extend it is low-impact enough not to degrade the eccosystem. This is the most destructive--but takes longer to play itself out--so there's more time to act.
4) hunting and fishing--this isn't usually a problem. Legitimate hunters and fishermen/women are supportive of conservation and support licensig and limitations that preserve the habitat.

Answer 2

Unless no exotic animals had been introduced to the area, i would first start with habitat destruction and fragmentation, then harvestingof wild species, and lastly hunting and fishing activity, all the while staying on top of keeping exotic organisms out

Answer 3

I would first collect data on which of the following activities has greatest impact on the biodiversity of the tropical country. They are all important, but it would be difficult to decide until you had more data.

For instance, it would be useless to start catching poachers harvesting wild species for commercial sale if the habitats of these species are being destroyed rapidly anyway. (You'd do better to get the poachers to catch'em and stick'em in zoos! :-)

Answer 4

Are these four the most important? What about assimilation? or pollution? climate change? If this is a question to a problem, I have no help. If its a real world issue, then look at it from more angles. The puzzle of biodiversity could be linked to indside or outside drivers. Start with recent losses first and find the link.

Answer 5

Introduction of exotic organisms. This causes the most extreme damage the fastest AND is the hardest to control of all of the options. Consider the complete devastation of the flora and fauna in hawaii because of the introduction of wild pigs.

Answer 6

1. stop importing outside exotic organisms. One organism can cause total havoc because the eco system is totally unequipped to deal with it.

Answer 7

I don't like "my party" much, but I like the other party less. Personally I usually vote against someone rather that for someone. I think that there is a true possibility that you are correct regarding the lemmings off a cliff. One party one cliff, the other party another cliff.

Answer 8

What u doing by going there and telling them not to do what we already have here. That is so arrogant It is terrible.

Answer 9

Don't know about you, but it is 11pm at night - I have been working all week and I have absolutely no pigging idea!

Answer 10

how about doing your own homework???