Question
CHANGE YOUR FONT SO THAT YOUR TEXT IS NOT IN BOLD; Must be at least 3 paragraphs long; Must include an introduction, body and conclusion; the introduction should a hook, transition and thesis statement with 2-3 reasons; conclusion should restate the thesis statement and 2-3 reasons; conclusion can include the counterclaim along with rebuttal; reminder- text evidence does not go in the introduction paragraph; indent the start of every paragraph; 6-10 sentences is considered a paragraph; text must be in 12pt or 14pt Times New Roman or Arial font and double spaced;
Writing Prompt: Choose a side of the debate about Pikas. Create a thesis statement/claim to support your position. Writing an argumentative essay on the discussion on Pikas. The essay must be at least 3 paragraphs long with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Cite at least 2 pieces of evidence to support 2 reasons you selected
The American pika is a hamster-sized animal. It likes the cool temperatures of high, rocky mountain slopes. Lately, the pika has had to climb higher and higher. The creature is doing this to beat Earth's rising temperatures. However, scientists say that some pikas have run out of cool places to run to. The species, they say, is in danger of becoming extinct.
The future looks especially gloomy for pikas that live in the Great Basin. This area covers parts of several states, including Nevada, California, and Utah. In 2008, teams fanned out across Utah. They checked 113 spots where pikas were thought to be living. At about 30 of these locations, no pikas were found. Another study was done in the Great Basin in 2003. Its results were about the same: 6 out of 25 known pika groups had disappeared. And in 2017, pikas were declared extinct in a region they once called home near Lake Tahoe in California.
Donald Grayson is with the University of Washington. He said that the pikas had climbed to higher places.
"There's not any place for them to go any higher," Grayson said.
Scientists say the problem is a result of global warming.
"Climate seems to be the single strongest driver," said Erik Beever. Beever is a government ecologist. He studies Great Basin pikas.
According to Beever, part of the problem is the pika's body. It is made for living high in the mountains. The pika does not adjust well to warm temperatures. Therefore, it is important that the animal finds cooler places to live as the climate warms.
"There's not a lot of wiggle room with these guys," Beever said. If pikas get too warm, they die.
Scientists are especially interested in the American pika. If it struggles, other species are also likely to experience problems. Scientists are therefore worried.
In 2007, environmentalists asked for government protection for pikas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said no in 2010. It didn't have enough money. It had used what money it had to protect other species.
Experts are unsure exactly how to protect pikas from climate change. This is especially in light of the fact that the problem is global. So listing the pika or any other species as endangered because of threats from global warming is tricky. However, experts say that doesn't mean efforts to help the pikas should stop.
That's why the Colorado Pika Project started. People living in pika country watch for pikas. They help scientists learn how pikas react to climate change. They provide information in an app that may aid future efforts to protect the pika.
Writing Prompt: Choose a side of the debate about Pikas. Create a thesis statement/claim to support your position. Writing an argumentative essay on the discussion on Pikas. The essay must be at least 3 paragraphs long with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Cite at least 2 pieces of evidence to support 2 reasons you selected
The American pika is a hamster-sized animal. It likes the cool temperatures of high, rocky mountain slopes. Lately, the pika has had to climb higher and higher. The creature is doing this to beat Earth's rising temperatures. However, scientists say that some pikas have run out of cool places to run to. The species, they say, is in danger of becoming extinct.
The future looks especially gloomy for pikas that live in the Great Basin. This area covers parts of several states, including Nevada, California, and Utah. In 2008, teams fanned out across Utah. They checked 113 spots where pikas were thought to be living. At about 30 of these locations, no pikas were found. Another study was done in the Great Basin in 2003. Its results were about the same: 6 out of 25 known pika groups had disappeared. And in 2017, pikas were declared extinct in a region they once called home near Lake Tahoe in California.
Donald Grayson is with the University of Washington. He said that the pikas had climbed to higher places.
"There's not any place for them to go any higher," Grayson said.
Scientists say the problem is a result of global warming.
"Climate seems to be the single strongest driver," said Erik Beever. Beever is a government ecologist. He studies Great Basin pikas.
According to Beever, part of the problem is the pika's body. It is made for living high in the mountains. The pika does not adjust well to warm temperatures. Therefore, it is important that the animal finds cooler places to live as the climate warms.
"There's not a lot of wiggle room with these guys," Beever said. If pikas get too warm, they die.
Scientists are especially interested in the American pika. If it struggles, other species are also likely to experience problems. Scientists are therefore worried.
In 2007, environmentalists asked for government protection for pikas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said no in 2010. It didn't have enough money. It had used what money it had to protect other species.
Experts are unsure exactly how to protect pikas from climate change. This is especially in light of the fact that the problem is global. So listing the pika or any other species as endangered because of threats from global warming is tricky. However, experts say that doesn't mean efforts to help the pikas should stop.
That's why the Colorado Pika Project started. People living in pika country watch for pikas. They help scientists learn how pikas react to climate change. They provide information in an app that may aid future efforts to protect the pika.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The American pika, a small mammal found in the rocky mountains, is facing significant threats due to climate change, making its survival increasingly precarious. As temperatures rise, these adorable creatures have no choice but to retreat to higher altitudes in search of cooler habitats. Unfortunately, this behavioral adaptation is not a long-term solution since there comes a point where there are no more mountains for them to climb. The plight of the pika illustrates the urgent need for conservation efforts, as their decline is a direct reflection of a broader environmental crisis. This essay will argue that pikas are vital indicators of ecosystem health, their extinction could lead to a ripple effect impacting other species, and that immediate action is necessary to ensure their survival amidst growing climate challenges.
Pikas have long been regarded as a sentinel species, meaning their wellbeing is closely tied to the health of their environment. According to scientists like Erik Beever, climate change acts as the "single strongest driver" of their decline, emphasizing the link between pika populations and global temperatures. As pikas struggle to find cooler habitats in the Great Basin, experts have documented alarming rates of population decline; in some surveys, entire pika groups have vanished from their traditional ranges. This trend not only signals a crisis for the pikas themselves but also raises alarms for other species within the same ecosystem, which depend on similar climatic conditions. Therefore, preserving pika populations is crucial, not only for their survival but also for maintaining the delicate balance of their mountainous habitats.
In conclusion, the American pika symbolizes the broader challenges posed by climate change and the interconnectedness of species within ecosystems. Our failure to protect these small mammals can lead to dire consequences, not only for them but for other wildlife in the same environments. The evidence shows that as pikas are pushed to the brink of extinction due to rising temperatures, we must take immediate steps to mitigate climate impacts and create conservation strategies. While some might argue that there are limited resources available for wildlife protection, the case of the pika underscores the need for prioritization of conservation efforts. By safeguarding pikas, we are not merely protecting a single species; we are fighting for the health of entire ecosystems that depend on the balance that these small creatures help maintain. Immediate action is imperative to ensure that pikas, and the ecosystems they represent, can endure the ongoing effects of climate change.
Pikas have long been regarded as a sentinel species, meaning their wellbeing is closely tied to the health of their environment. According to scientists like Erik Beever, climate change acts as the "single strongest driver" of their decline, emphasizing the link between pika populations and global temperatures. As pikas struggle to find cooler habitats in the Great Basin, experts have documented alarming rates of population decline; in some surveys, entire pika groups have vanished from their traditional ranges. This trend not only signals a crisis for the pikas themselves but also raises alarms for other species within the same ecosystem, which depend on similar climatic conditions. Therefore, preserving pika populations is crucial, not only for their survival but also for maintaining the delicate balance of their mountainous habitats.
In conclusion, the American pika symbolizes the broader challenges posed by climate change and the interconnectedness of species within ecosystems. Our failure to protect these small mammals can lead to dire consequences, not only for them but for other wildlife in the same environments. The evidence shows that as pikas are pushed to the brink of extinction due to rising temperatures, we must take immediate steps to mitigate climate impacts and create conservation strategies. While some might argue that there are limited resources available for wildlife protection, the case of the pika underscores the need for prioritization of conservation efforts. By safeguarding pikas, we are not merely protecting a single species; we are fighting for the health of entire ecosystems that depend on the balance that these small creatures help maintain. Immediate action is imperative to ensure that pikas, and the ecosystems they represent, can endure the ongoing effects of climate change.