Giant Panda Conservation Also Helps Other Unique Species in China
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Next StepsConsidering that this article was about how pandas were able to help other animals, I believe that the only next step we should take is trying to expand this idea to other areas. As stated in the article, moving pandas do different locations wouldn't save ALL of Chinas wildlife but even then, the wildlife they are able to save is still worth the effort. Also, pandas aren't the only animals to be considered umbrella species. As stated in the texts, "...tigers could serve the same role in the northern part of the country. Snow leopards could be an umbrella for grassland species." I believe that there is a lot of opportunity for us to do something to try and take this concept of umbrella species and apply it to different areas of the world, not just China. If executed correctly we could save some of the endangered species using this concept. We need the government to take this into consideration since all thats being done is moving animals to different homes to help save and preserve their habitat as well as the other animals that live within their community.
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SummaryPandas just aren't some cute fluffy animal that people see at the zoo. Researchers have discovered that they serve a big role within the community they live in. It was discovered that pandas were an "umbrella species" which is in short means that the preservation of their habitat in turn helps other mammals, birds, as well as amphibians that live alongside pandas. Conservationists have found that in China, 70% of mammals, 70% of birds, and 31% of amphibians live within the pandas habitat. Stuart Primm, the papers senior author as well as a professor at Duke University expressed his opinion on this topic and said, "The mountains of southwest China are a biodiversity hotspot. There are a lot of species that are protected by the panda's range." Even though the pandas being an umbrella species has its positives, there are also some downsides. For example even though the preservation of pandas habitat does help some animals but there are still not protected by the pandas current reserves. Also, there are a few more locations that could use new or improved nature reserves but even then, this wouldn't save Chinas unique wildlife.
ReflectionThe biggest reason why this article interested me so much is because pandas are one of my favorite animals. I really enjoyed reading about the good panda's were able to do just by living in the same habitat as other animals. The preservation of their habitat in turn also saves other animals. It was really interesting to read about how researchers called certain animals umbrella species. They almost act like a protecter to these animals without even realizing it. It was so nice to see that after people saw the good it was doing in helping other animals that they also looked for ways to expand this concept to different areas as well as with different animals.
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