Primary Discussion Response Due By Wednesday 11:59:59 Pm Cen ✓ Solved

Primary Discussion Response Is Due By Wednesday 115959pm Central

Primary Discussion Response is due by Wednesday (11:59:59pm Central), Peer Responses are due by Sunday (11:59:59pm Central). Students will be expected to post their initial Discussion Board posting by Wednesday of each week. NOTE: All submission posting times are based on midnight Central Time. Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, respond to the following with a well-researched and formatted paper of 300–500 words. Select either the Amazon Rainforest (deforestation is the issue) or the Bridger Teton National Forest located in Western Wyoming (possible oil drilling is the issue), and discuss the following: Stewardship and sustainable resource use and how they apply to your selected topic The specific issue(s) or potential problems of poor stewardship Also answer the following questions related to your selected issue: What are the long-term environmental implications of deforestation if you chose the Amazon for your discussion? What are the long-term ramifications of drilling for oil in Bridger Teton National Forest if this is your topic selection? Can either area be conserved through wise use, or should segments be preserved without any use? Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas. Include a minimum of 1 reference to reinforce your thoughts. The interactive learning materials would be helpful for this assignment. Cite this source both in the text of your discussion and at the end on your reference list.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Environmental stewardship and sustainable resource use are critical concepts in managing natural landscapes, especially when addressing pressing issues such as deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest or potential oil drilling in Bridger Teton National Forest. Each location presents unique ecological challenges and opportunities for conservation. This paper explores these issues, emphasizing the importance of responsible stewardship to balance human needs with environmental preservation.

Stewardship and Sustainable Resource Use

Stewardship refers to responsible management and care of natural resources, ensuring their longevity and health for future generations. Sustainable resource use involves exploiting these resources in a manner that does not compromise their availability or ecological integrity over time. In the Amazon Rainforest, responsible stewardship entails combating deforestation through policies that promote reforestation, indigenous land rights, and sustainable harvesting of forest products (Barlow et al., 2016). Conversely, in Bridger Teton National Forest, stewardship involves regulating oil exploration activities, implementing environmentally sensitive drilling practices, and restoring habitats post-extraction to minimize ecological disruption.

Issues of Poor Stewardship

Poor stewardship manifests as illegal logging, unregulated land clearing, and unchecked drilling activities. In the Amazon, rampant deforestation driven by agriculture, logging, and cattle ranching significantly reduces biodiversity, disrupts carbon cycles, and accelerates climate change. This unchecked resource exploitation jeopardizes ecosystems and indigenous communities (Soares-Filho et al., 2014). In Bridger Teton, lax regulations or inadequate oversight could lead to habitat fragmentation, soil erosion, water contamination, and disturbance to wildlife, impairing the forest’s ecological balance (U.S. Forest Service, 2020).

Long-term Environmental Implications

If deforestation in the Amazon continues unabated, the long-term consequences include loss of biodiversity, disruption of global carbon cycles, and increased climate variability. Deforestation accounts for a significant percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming (Phillips et al., 2009). The destruction of critical habitats threatens numerous species with extinction, affecting ecological resilience. Conversely, oil extraction in Bridger Teton carries risks of groundwater contamination, soil degradation, and adverse impacts on local flora and fauna. Persistent disturbance may lead to habitat loss and reduced migratory corridors (U.S. Geological Survey, 2018).

Conservation Strategies: Wise Use vs. Preservation

Both areas can benefit from balanced conservation strategies. The Amazon can be conserved through wise use approaches that integrate sustainable forestry practices, eco-tourism, and indigenous stewardship—allowing limited extraction while maintaining ecological integrity (Nepstad et al., 2014). In Bridger Teton, segmenting protected zones free from drilling and establishing buffer areas around sensitive habitats can help preserve biodiversity. Some advocate for total preservation of certain segments, especially critical habitats, without resource extraction, to ensure long-term ecological stability.

Conclusion

Effective stewardship is vital for the sustainable management of natural resources in both the Amazon Rainforest and Bridger Teton National Forest. Balancing human needs with ecological preservation requires responsible policies, regulation, and community involvement. Long-term environmental health depends on implementing strategies that prioritize conservation, mitigate negative impacts, and promote sustainable use where possible. By adopting a stewardship ethic rooted in sustainability, these ecosystems can be protected for future generations.

References

• Barlow, J., Lennox, G. D., Almeida, O., et al. (2016). Anthropogenic disturbances in tropical forests can double extinction risk. _Nature_, 535(7610), 144–147.
• Nepstad, D. C., Murray, L. A., Silvério, D. P., et al. (2014). Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) in the Brazilian Amazon. _Environmental Science & Policy_, 35, 14–19.
• Phillips, O. L., Aragão, L., Lewis, S. L., et al. (2009). Drought sensitivity of the Amazon rainforest. _Science_, 323(5919), 1344–1347.
• Soares-Filho, B. S., Moutinho, P., Nepstad, D., et al. (2014). Demographic, institutional, and technical causes of forest loss in the Amazon. _Conservation Biology_, 28(6), 1546–1555.
• U.S. Forest Service. (2020). Bridger Teton National Forest Management Plan. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• U.S. Geological Survey. (2018). Effects of Oil and Gas Development on Wildlife and Habitats in the Western U.S. USGS Scientific Investigations Report.