Chapter 9 Questions: Why Are Unprotected Areas Valuable?

Chapter 9 Questions
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Chapter 9 Questions
1 DQ: If an endangered species is discovered, should human activities cease in that area, or can they coexist? If human activities must stop, should people receive financial compensation?
When endangered species are discovered, human activities can coexist in the same area since studies have shown that numerous ecosystems and rare species coexist predominantly or exclusively on unprotected privately owned lands or public lands. According to Primack and Sher (2016), 60% of species in the U.S. rare across the globe or are listed by the U.S. Endangered Species Act reside in forestlands that are private. Therefore, endangered species and human activities can coexist. If human activities have to cease, then financial compensation should be given to people who have lost their land and properties. Direct payments are usually made to private landowners and local communities to ensure that essential ecosystems are protected.
2 Why are unprotected areas valuable?
Unprotected areas are valuable since a huge percentage of endangered species reside in these areas. Evidence indicates that most endangered species are found in public lands that are not mostly managed for biodiversity. Most of these regions are usually managed for grazing, timber harvesting, and other activities, and this implies that these areas are not protected for endangered species. In Indonesia, for instance, 75% of the remaining orangutans reside away from protected forests, mostly in tree plantations and logged forests (Primack & Sher, 2016). Therefore, these unprotected areas should be protected since they host the largest portion of endangered species.
3 What’s the difference between land sharing and land sparing?
Land sharing and land sparing are concepts that have been used in relation to maintaining biodiversity and enhancing food production. Land sharing is wh...