There are many methods to deciding what aspects of nature to focus on, two methods are to focus on hotspots (areas of high biodiversity) and individual species, particularly those with wide impact. Today, you will have the opportunity to look at both.
DetailsGo to the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund’s list of hotspotsLinks to an external site., and choose the hotspot you want to research. You are welcome to choose any hotspot, but I recommend you choose a hotspot that CEPF has invested in or is planning to invest in soon, as there will be more information on the location. If a PDF exists for your hotspot, it is probably worth looking at.
Additionally, you will research one species from the chosen hotpot on IUCN’s Red ListLinks to an external site..
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund List of HotspotLinks to an external site.
IUCN’s Red ListLinks to an external site.
RequirementsDevelop a report or Powerpoint presentation with the information listed below. Use CEPFLinks to an external site. and IUCN’S Red ListLinks to an external site. as your sources. If you create a presentation, keep in mind that you must explain your ideas clearly. This may go against typical advice to keep information brief on a slide. You should be able to find everything you need from the two websites, but if you feel you need outside sources, get them approved by your instructor.
Describe your locationWhere is it?
What type of specific ecosystems are there?
Provide an illustrative photo or map of the area
Explain why the location is a hotspot. Give specific statistics.How is biodiversity higher than average?
Discuss the parameters that define a hotspotEndemic species (particularly producers)
Vegetation loss
Are there multiple monotypic species? (Monotypic species are the sole species in their genus. CEPF may tell you if they exist in the hotspot. If there are none listed, you are not required to research further.)
Why is this place threatened? What are the ongoing problems?
Pick at least one species listed in this location and look them up on the Red List. Include the conservation status of the organism, as listed on the Red List. Provide other information about the organism from the other sections (geographic range, habitat and ecology, etc.). If the Red List does not have much information on that species, choose a different one.
Include one photo.
What conservation efforts are taking place to protect or help the hotspot and/or the species in it? (You can get this information from both CEPF and IUCN. The Red List has more information on threats and conservation if you scroll down to “threats in detail” or “conservation actions in detail.”)
Your report/presentation should be very visual (map of the location, landscape, species that live there, etc.). Upload your project when you are finished.
Note: Your submission will be checked for plagiarism. If you use the CEPF’s or the Red List’s wording, make sure you put it in quotation marks. Otherwise, paraphrase the information!
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