Unit 5 writing prompt Grade 8 FAST Writing

Question

Expository Writing Prompt

Write an expository essay about threatened species.

Your expository essay must be based on this prompt and topic, and it must incorporate ideas and information found in the sources provided.

Use your best writing to complete an essay that

• is focused on your central idea;
• combines evidence from multiple sources with your own elaboration to develop your ideas;
• is organized and includes transitions within and among ideas;
• provides citations for quoted material and source ideas; and
• demonstrates correct use of grammar and language appropriate to the task.

Write your multiparagraph essay to an academic audience in the space provided.

Source 1- Worldwide Loss of Bees a Growing Concern

When we think of bees, we think of pesky, buzzing insects that sting us and ruin outdoor gatherings. We might wonder: how badly can we possibly need bees? The truth is, bees are an incredibly important part of our ecosystem on Earth—no matter how annoying they may be to humans. Unfortunately, bees have been disappearing around the world for some time now, and their mass disappearance continues to present new problems around the planet.
According to Reuters news source, scientific researchers have been trying desperately for the past 15 years to understand why honeybees around the world are dying off at frighteningly high rates. Over 1 million bee colonies disappear every year, never to return, Reuters reporters noted in 2012.
Kevin Hackett, the national program leader for the bee and pollination program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), called the massive honeybee disappearance “the biggest general threat to our food supply.”
How could something so small be so important to us as humans? Bees are used to pollinate many crops, for instance a large portion of California’s almond crop, which relies heavily on bee pollination. Bees are also essential for the pollination of apple and citrus fruit crops. Without the pollination by bees, these plants are unable to reproduce and may die off.
The mass deaths of honeybees have been linked to something known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)—a mysterious loss of bee colonies with many potential causes—as well as a variety of pesticides, parasites and disease, all of which hurt bee populations. Other possible causes include land development and changes in agricultural practices around the world.
There are numerous kinds and species of bees, and honeybees are not the only ones disappearing in large quantities. Bumblebees can be added to the list of pollinators whose widespread disappearance worries scientists. While the dangers of losing bees, such as the damage to our food supplies, have long been known, researchers are uncovering even more distressing information about the loss of these ecologically crucial insects.
According to researchers who published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2013, the disappearance of bumblebees offers new cause for concern: certain plants are having difficulties reproducing with the loss of their bumblebee pollinators, and are at higher risk for extinction.
Two scientists, who conducted research on the impact of bumblebee loss on plant reproduction, found that when a particular species of bumblebee was removed from the pool of pollinators, other bees did not completely take over the pollinating duties. Instead, with less competition from the bees which had been removed from the pool, the remaining bumblebees flew between many different plants and were less likely to be faithful to one kind of plant.
The researchers noted this experiment had damaging effects. For instance, the larkspur, a purple wildflower, requires pollination from its own species—other larkspurs—to survive. The researchers found with fewer bumblebees, the remaining bees were “less faithful” to a particular plant, meaning the larkspur was unable to survive as it would have before the loss of bumblebees.
This particular study highlights the importance of bees to the continuation of, not just our food supply, but also all biodiversity, as the effects of this study do not end with the larkspur plant alone, but point to a much larger issue. The larkspur is just one example of this issue.
In 2012, the USDA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a joint statement discussing the issue of bee loss, and the search for a solution to the cycle of problems caused by bees dying off.
The organizations concluded: “No single silver bullet will solve the problems affecting honey bees and other pollinators.”
In terms of solutions, the organizations proposed: “Habitat enhancement…targeted pesticide use, improved colony management techniques and improved disease and pest resistant stocks of bees are collectively needed to improve the health of honey bee colonies.”
“It is imperative that we increase honey bee survival both to make beekeeping profitable,” the statement noted, “but more importantly to meet the demands of U.S. agriculture for pollination and thus ensure of [sic] food security.”
© 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.

Answer 1

Threatened Species: The Plight of Bees and Their Impact on Ecosystems

In today's world, the term "threatened species" carries significant weight as it highlights the fragile balance of our ecosystems and the potential catastrophes that may arise from losing key organisms. Among the most critical of these organisms are bees, whose roles in pollination are essential for various agricultural crops and the overall health of the environment. The alarming decline in bee populations due to factors such as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), pesticides, and habitat loss underscores the urgent need for awareness and action to ensure their survival.

Bees, often dismissed as mere nuisances, are vital to human food production. According to researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), over one million bee colonies vanish annually, posing a grave threat to our food supply. Notably, honeybees are responsible for pollinating approximately one-third of the food humans consume, including important crops such as almonds, apples, and citrus fruits (Source 1). Kevin Hackett, a key figure in the USDA's bee and pollination program, referred to this crisis as "the biggest general threat to our food supply," highlighting the severity of the situation (Source 1). Without bees, numerous plants struggle to reproduce, leading to significant reductions in food availability and biodiversity.

The mechanisms behind the declining bee populations are complex. The phenomenon known as CCD results in entire colonies mysteriously disappearing, with various factors contributing to the crisis. Pesticides, parasites like varroa mites, and diseases severely undermine bee health, directly impacting their survival rates (Source 1). Additionally, land development and changing agricultural practices further erode the natural habitats bees rely on. Researchers noted that habitat loss not only affects bees but also has cascading effects on the plants they pollinate, as seen in studies on bumblebees' relationships with certain flowers (Source 1).

The intricate relationship between bees and plant species illustrates the importance of maintaining biodiversity. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that when specific bumblebee species were removed from pollination pools, remaining bees did not adequately compensate for their absence. As a result, plants like larkspur, which depend on consistent pollination from their species, faced increased extinction risks (Source 1). This evidence showcases how the loss of a single species can have dire consequences, not only for the plants they pollinate but also for entire ecosystems that inhabit various animal and plant species.

Efforts to combat bee population decline require a multifaceted approach. The USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly emphasized in 2012 that “no single silver bullet will solve the problems affecting honey bees and other pollinators” (Source 1). Their recommendations included habitat enhancement, targeted pesticide use, improved disease and pest management, and the development of disease-resistant bee stocks. Such strategies are imperative not only for the survival of bees but also for sustaining agricultural practices that depend on them.

In conclusion, the plight of threatened species like bees serves as a critical reminder of the interconnectedness of life on Earth. Their decline poses significant risks not only to food supplies but also to biodiversity and ecosystem health as a whole. The consequences of this crisis extend beyond the loss of a mere insect; they threaten the very fabrics of agriculture and natural habitats. It is crucial that society takes proactive steps to protect and restore bee populations to ensure a healthier, more sustainable planet for future generations. By acknowledging their vital role and investing in their preservation, we can safeguard our ecological balance and food security.