APES- Article Summary & Discussion Preparation Log Part I: Individual Assignment Name: Joanna Asuelo Article Title:

Which Species to Save? Author/Source: Michelle Nijhuis/ Scientific American A: List the major ideas, concepts or key points- point by point Triage: the process of determining the priority of patients' treatments based on the severity of their condition According to the Noah Principle all species are fundamentally equal, and everything can and should be saved, regardless of its importance to humans. Umbrella species are considered by many as the priority species, however the firstapproach strategy only works in very understood systems, which is a small amount The Wildlife Conservation Society states in its analysis that it give priority to threatened species that have larger body size and wider geographic range, gives higher rankings to species with greater genetic distinctives, and gives higher rankings to subjectve quality species Some scientists also state that some ecosystems should be save rather than species Norman Meyers opinion states that hotspots should be the priority Marxan is program that includes other factors that help protect and prioritize different species based on facors such as cost for protection Humans have the technology to prevent extinction Humans should still continue to help and prevent extinction B: Summarize the AUTHORs main point or idea- at LEAST 1-2 paragraphs It is a difficult job to choose which species in the world to help. Organizations are continuing to lose animals and plants at a very fast rate. Therefore they looking at other methods to save to broaden their efforts. There was always the use of triage according to the author. Although this triage was not directly spoken, it was still there and in use of environmental organizations. There is also the umbrella species talk that those species would be have the main protection. However, there is complications with that because of it will work only in wellunderstood ecosystems. The best method would be the Marxan program. It includes factors that most organizations do not think of when picking a species. Overall, it is a hard decision for organizations to pick a species to be the main priority. C: Write a reaction paragraph to the article stating your own thoughts on the topic, using specific citations from the article to support your views After reading, picking a species on the endangered species list to save is a tough choice. The comparison to a doctor saving lives in the battlefield seems true. It is very difficult to know that species are becoming extinct, and it is worse to choose which to save. The Noah Principle is correct in my opinion. The world was filled with these species just as humans, and they should have a space in and on this planet. I have always wondered why couldnt we save other animals Due Date: 12-6-13

rather than pandas and sea turtles. I now know it is a very hard decision for those organizations. However, we as humans should and could be able to save and prevent a species from extinction. So What? Says Who? It is important to know the tough decisions it Michelle Nijhuis, Scientific American, and takes to pick a species to save. other environmental groups. What if..? What Does This Remind Me Of? What if all species were saved from extinction? This reminds me of the comparison made in the text. The doctor picking and prioritizing the patients remind me of this problem.