The SLOSS Debate in Conservation

One of the most heated controversies in conservation history is known as the SLOSS Debate. SLOSS stands for Single Large or Several Small and refers to two different approaches to land conservation in order to protect biodiversity in a given region. The single large approach favors one sizeable, contiguous land reserve. The several small approach favors multiple smaller reserves of land whose total areas equal that of a large reserve. Area determination of either is based on the type of habitat and species involved. New Concept Spurs Controversy In 1975, an American scientist named Jared Diamond proposed the landmark idea that a single large land reserve would be more beneficial in terms of species richness and diversity than several smaller reserves. His claim was based on his study of a book called The Theory of Island Biogeography by Robert MacArthur and E.O. Wilson. Diamonds assertion was challenged by ecologist Daniel Simberloff, a former student of E.O. Wilson, who noted that if several smaller reserves each contained unique species, then it would be possible for smaller reserves to harbor even more species than a single large reserve. Habitat Debate Heats Up Scientists Bruce A. Wilcox and Dennis L. Murphy responded to an article by Simberloff in The American Naturalist journal by arguing that habitat fragmentation (caused by human activity or environmental changes) poses the most critical threat to global biodiversity. Contiguous areas, the researchers asserted, are not only beneficial to communities of interdependent species, they are also more likely to support populations of species that occur at low population densities, particularly large vertebrates. Harmful Effects of Habitat Fragmentation According to the National Wildlife Federation, terrestrial or aquatic habitat fragmented by roads, logging, dams, and other human developments may not be large or connected enough to support species that need a large territory in which to find mates and food. The loss and fragmentation of habitat make it difficult for migratory species to find places to rest and feed along their migration routes. When habitat is fragmented, mobile species that retreat into smaller reserves of habitat can end up crowded, increasing competition for resources and disease transmission. The Edge Effect In addition to interrupting contiguity and decreasing the total area of available habitat, fragmentation also magnifies the edge effect, resulting from an increase in the edge-to-interior ratio. This effect negatively impacts species that are adapted to interior habitats because they become more vulnerable to predation and disturbance. No Simple Solution The SLOSS Debate spurred aggressive research into the effects of habitat fragmentation, leading to conclusions that the viability of either approach may depend on the circumstances. Several small reserves may, in some cases, be beneficial when indigenous species extinction risk is low. On the other hand, single large reserves may be preferable when extinction risk is high. In general, however, the uncertainty of extinction risk estimates leads scientists to prefer the established habitat integrity and security of a single larger reserve. Reality Check Kent Holsinger, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut, contends, This whole debate seems to have missed the point. After all, we put reserves where we find species or communities that we want to save. We make them as large as we can, or as large as we need to protect the elements of our concern. We are not usually faced with the optimization choice poised in the [SLOSS] debate. To the extent we have choices, the choices we face are more like †¦ how small an area can we get away with protecting and which are the most critical parcels?

Psychology Is The Scientific Study Of The Human Mind And...

By definition, Psychology is â€Å"the scientific study of the human mind and its behaviours†. However, originally, Psychology did not begin as a science. The subject of Psychology began in 1879 when the first experimental laboratory was opened by Wilhelm Wundt. Since its establishment, Psychology has progressed into a world-renowned academic discipline with the formation of the first American experimental lab in 1883 and the first doctorate in 1886 which was presented to Joseph Jastrow, who became a professor of Psychology and president of the APA. Psychology has also developed with the establishment of various psychological approaches. One of the first approaches was Structuralism, formed in 1886 by Edward B. Titchner, which focused on the mental experience formed through a combination of events. Other contrasting approaches such as Functionalism were also formed. Some of these approaches remain the most controversial topics in psychology today. Overall, these historical eve nts have allowed Psychology to develop around the world. In Psychology, today, there are four key approaches that are discussed: Psychoanalytic, Behaviourist, Cognitive and Biological. The Psychoanalytic approach is the study of the unconscious mind and was first established by Sigmund Freud (1865-1939) who proposed the idea of mental illness being caused by psychological factors, not physical illness. Based on this, Freud attempted to use ‘the talking cure’ formally known as ‘Free Association’ to helpShow MoreRelatedThe Philosophy Of Psychology Is Defined As The Scientific Study Of The Human Mind And Behavior1281 Words   |  6 PagesPsychology is defined as the scientific study of the human mind and behavior. It was established as a separate discipline during the late 1800s and can be taken back to the time of the ancient Greeks. From around 500BC to 322 BC, Greek philosophers suggested a theory of â€Å"psyche† that is where the word psychology comes from. 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Ten Little Indians Free Essays

Fritz Perls once said â€Å"I am not in this world to live up to other people’s expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine. † In the short story The Search Engine, by Sherman Alexie, the Native American culture is trying to live up to the expectations of the white world. The main character Corliss, a Spokane Indian, is expected to do well in college so she can move back to the reservation to help her tribe. We will write a custom essay sample on Ten Little Indians or any similar topic only for you Order Now There is also a cultural difference between our world and that of the Spokane when it comes to the roles of gender. Corliss is a very bright individual who has plans beyond the Spokane reservation. When Corliss was younger she was ridiculed for her love of reading. Even though her passion for reading is part of the reason she was able to attend college, the men in her tribe still disagree with reading about nineteenth century white people. Despite the disagreements they are all very proud that she is pursuing a higher education. Corliss’s parents boast about how Corliss will one day come back to fix everything that is wrong with the tribe. In reality they are ignorant to Corliss’s real dreams and ambitions. Gender roles can be defined as the behaviors and attitudes expected of male and female members of a society by that society. In the Spokane tribe the women made more money and held better jobs than the men. In our society, even with more equality for women today, men earn a substantial amount more than women do. For the Spokane men to just sit around and brag about their spouses’ accomplishments seems unreal to our culture. Native American culture is very different from that of American culture. Rather than the Spokane tribesmen trying to better the tribe themselves, they are counting on Corliss to graduate law school and fix the problems of the tribe. The men of the tribe are not fully applying themselves to employment, the tribe, or each other. The values, goals, and practices of the Spokane tribe make their culture foreign to the average American. How to cite Ten Little Indians, Papers