Choose And Research A Topic Of Interest

Choose And Research A Topic Of Interest

For this assignment, you will choose and research a topic of interest that is directly related to the course, such as “Renewable energy in Arizona,” “Conserving Biodiversity in the Tropics,” “Community Support Agriculture,” or any environmental conservation topic that you are interested in. The topic must be a pressing and relevant conservation issue, and using media like pictures and videos will help convey the importance of your chosen subject. Your task is to explain why your topic is pressing and relevant to environmental conservation on the main page of your website.

It is essential that your selected topic is timely, meaning there is active research and ongoing efforts to address the issue. Incorporating links to recent articles or news feeds can strengthen your presentation by demonstrating the current relevance of the topic. Additionally, identify major organizations involved in tackling this issue by providing links to their websites, which will help readers understand the broader context and ongoing initiatives.

Your website should be backed up by credible sources. You are required to refer to, cite, and link to at least five primary sources of information, ensuring these sources are credible. Utilizing resources such as scholarly articles and applying the CRAAP test will help ensure the quality and relevance of your sources. For additional guidance, you may consult resources available through the Cline Library.

Paper For Above instruction

Creating a website dedicated to a pressing environmental conservation issue requires a comprehensive understanding of the topic’s significance, current research, and active interventions. For this demonstration, I will focus on the critical issue of biodiversity loss in tropical ecosystems, a topic of increasing concern due to ongoing deforestation, climate change, and habitat degradation.

Introduction: The Urgency of Biodiversity Conservation in the Tropics

The tropics are recognized as the Earth's natural biodiversity hotspots, hosting an extraordinary variety of plant and animal species that play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance. However, these regions face unprecedented threats driven primarily by human activities such as logging, agriculture expansion, infrastructure development, and climate change. The loss of biodiversity in these areas not only jeopardizes ecological integrity but also impacts human well-being through the disruption of ecosystem services like pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.

Highlighting why this appears as a pressing issue involves illustrating the rapid rate of species extinction and habitat destruction, proven through recent scientific studies and news reports. The section could include impactful images and videos of deforestation and its consequences, emphasizing the urgency of conservation efforts.

Relevance to Environmental Conservation

This issue is inherently linked to environmental conservation, as protecting tropical biodiversity requires sustainable practices, policy interventions, and community engagement. Recent research underscores that conserving these ecosystems is essential not only for the intrinsic value of biodiversity but also for combating broader environmental issues such as climate change. For example, protecting rainforests is among the most effective strategies for carbon sequestration.

Furthermore, active conservation projects demonstrate ongoing research and action—such as reforestation programs, protected area management, and biodiversity monitoring—that showcase practical ways to mitigate the crisis.

Current Initiatives and Organizations

Several major organizations are at the forefront of addressing biodiversity loss in tropical regions. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), conservation International, and the Rainforest Trust, for example, operate globally with specific projects aimed at safeguarding threatened habitats and species. Including links to these organizations’ initiatives, reports, and success stories provides viewers with resources to learn more and see how collective efforts are making a difference.

• WWF - World Wildlife Fund
• Conservation International
• Rainforest Trust

Supporting Evidence and Credible Sources

Credibility and accuracy are vital when discussing environmental issues; thus, your website should reference peer-reviewed scientific articles, reports from reputable organizations, and recent news articles. For instance, you might include cited sources such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report, journal articles from Conservation Biology, or UNEP publications.

Using the CRAAP test—evaluating Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose—assists in selecting trustworthy information. Incorporating at least five primary, credible sources will lend authority to your website and inform your audience effectively.

By designing an engaging, media-rich website with credible sources and links, you will be able to communicate the urgency of tropical biodiversity conservation while engaging your classmates and encouraging action. Remember that your aim is to inform and motivate your audience toward understanding and supporting conservation efforts.

References

• IPBES. (2019). Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. IPBES Secretariat. https://ipbes.net/global-assessment
• Myers, N., Mittermeier, R. A., Mittermeier, C. G., Da Fonseca, G. A., & Kent, J. (2000). Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature, 403(6772), 853–858.
• Dirzo, R., & Raven, P. H. (2003). Global state of biodiversity and loss. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 28, 137–167.
• Conservation International. (2021). Protecting Tropical Forests. https://www.conservation.org
• WWF. (2022). Living Forests Report. https://www.worldwildlife.org
• Gillson, L., Baxter, P., & Norton, C. (2020). Facilitating sustainability in tropical biodiversity conservation. Ecological Economics, 176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106752
• Leisher, C., et al. (2019). How effective are protected areas? Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(44), 21801–21803.
• UNEP. (2018). Global Environment Outlook – GEO-6: Healthy Planet, Healthy People. United Nations Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/resources/global-environment-outlook-geo-6
• Sayer, J., et al. (2013). Ten principles for a landscape approach to reconciling agriculture, conservation, and other competing land uses. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(21), 8349–8356.
• Koh, L. P., et al. (2015). Which wildlife are most likely to benefit from conservation? Conservation Biology, 29(1), 4–15.