ASSIGNMENT 2: Research a Conservation Project
In assignment 1 in this course, you examined the systems that cause a species to become
endangered. In assignment 2, your mission is to examine a conservation project that is working
to conserve a species, habitat, or ecosystem.
OUTCOMES
This assignment aligns with the following course learning outcomes:
1. Describe the current and past trends of global biodiversity decline.
4. Evaluate the utility of different conservation strategies, including conservation of functional diversity,
biodiversity hotspots, keystone species, and endangered species.
5. Analyze strategies to control and regulate overhunting and overfishing.
6. Explain the mechanism of climate change, its impacts on biodiversity, and what can be done to mitigate for it.
7. Evaluate strategies to limit the spread and impact of invasive species.
8. Analyze various causes of habitat loss and strategies to improve, expand, and connect it.
9. Formulate a plan to conserve an endangered species
10. Develop and present a comprehensive plan to protect an ecosystem.
STEPS
To complete Assignment 2, complete all five of the following steps:
1. Choose a project
2. Research your project
3. Create a systems map of your project
4. Assess your project
5. Write your report
STEP 1) CHOOSE A PROJECT
Some projects you might choose include:
Invasive species removal projects such as biocontrol of purple loosestrife
(http://www.ontariobeetles.ca/)
Habitat restoration projects such as the eastern bluebird society (https://oebs.ca/)
Habitat connection projects such as Yellowstone to Yukon Initiative (https://y2y.net/)
Population recovery projects such as wild turkey reintroduction to Ontario
(https://www.ontario.ca/page/wild-turkey-management-plan-2007)
Ecosystem assessment projects such as Snapshot Safari
(https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/shuebner729/snapshot-molopo/about/research)
Biodiversity assessment such as e-bird Canada (https://ebird.org/canada/home)
Projects examined in detail in this course that are off limits for this assignment are:
the population recovery project of California Condors, USA
the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park, USA
Anti-poaching and community building actions at Virunga National Park, DRC
STEP 2) RESEARCH YOUR PROJECT
Create an outline* of questions to answer.
Begin to research your project by reading a variety of websites and journal articles.
Create a list of APA references and add to it as you go.
Answer your questions in point form, in your own words.
Be sure to include APA in-text citation(s) for each answer.
Modify your questions and create new questions to better fit your chosen project.
Answer those questions in point form, in your own words with APA in-text citations.
*You could use the following structure to create your outline:
In Part 1, introduce the project. Questions that you could answer include:
What is the aim of your chosen project?
What actions are being taken?
Who is conducting the actions and where and when are they occurring?
What actions have previously been taken?
How does the project fit into other current overlapping projects or previous projects?
In Part 2, outline the scientific research guiding the project. Summarize the key scientific
research that has been published on the targeted species, habitat, or ecosystem at the centre
of this project. Questions you could answer include:
Who conducted the research, and where and when did it occur?
What are the key results of the research?
How were the results determined? What was measured or tested?
How did this research guide the conservation project?
In Part 3, you will draw a system map of your project. One way to do this is to make a
concentric map which will require the following information:
the conservation aim of the project
actions of your chosen project
factors that influence those actions
conditions that affect the factors and actions
roles within the project and its surroundings
In Part 4, assess the project. Questions that you should answer to assess your project include:
What challenges has the project faced? How have they dealt with those challenges?
What criticisms have been made about the project? Are they valid?
Do you think the project has been or will be successful? Explain your reasoning
What should be the next steps of the project? Explain your reasoning.
STEP 3) CREATE A SYSTEMS MAP
Part 3, should feature a systems map that shows the connections between the conservation
problems that face the target of your project and how your project fits into that system. To
build a concentric map do the following:
• Start by including the conservation aim of the project in the middle of the map.
Surround the target with the contributing actions of your chosen project.
Then connect all the factors that influence those actions.
Then you can include conditions that affect the factors.
You could also include the roles within the project and its surroundings.
STEP 4) ASSESS YOUR PROJECT
Assess the success of your project by outlining the challenges they have met and how they
should proceed. Use the questions you have researched in your outline Part 4 (described
above).
STEP 5) WRITE AND EDIT YOUR REPORT
Based on the 4-part outline of questions and answers you have developed, write a 1000-word
report that includes the following four sections (use subheadings):
1. The Project
2. The Science Behind the Project
3. The System Surrounding the Project
4. Assessment of the Project
5. References (include only those sources you cite)
