Write an expository essay about threatened species.

Question

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.

Click this link for the Graphic Organizer for unit 5 Explanatory Essay

Source 1- Worldwide Loss of Bees a Growing Concern

bee flowers

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.”

Answer 1

Threatened Species: A Call to Action for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health

The plight of threatened species represents one of the most pressing environmental crises of our time. These species, which are at risk of extinction, play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance and supporting human life. Among these species, bees have emerged as a focal point of concern due to their vital function in pollination, which directly impacts global food supply and biodiversity. This essay explores the challenges faced by threatened species, using bees as a primary example, and outlines the broader implications of their decline for both ecosystems and human society.

Bees, often seen as annoying pests, are in reality indispensable to our ecosystem. Scientific research indicates that bee populations, particularly honeybees and bumblebees, are in rapid decline, with over one million bee colonies disappearing annually (Reuters, 2012). Kevin Hackett, a representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), highlighted the gravity of the situation by labeling this decline “the biggest general threat to our food supply.” The primary drivers of bee population loss include Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), pesticide exposure, and habitat destruction. Each of these factors not only threatens the survival of bees but also has cascading effects on the plants they pollinate.

The importance of bees extends far beyond their role in producing honey. They are essential for the pollination of numerous crops, including almonds, apples, and citrus fruits. Without bees, many of these plants would struggle to reproduce and may eventually vanish. Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2013 further illustrates the intricate relationship between bee populations and plant reproduction. Scientists discovered that the absence of certain bumblebee species hindered the pollination of specific plants, such as the larkspur, a wildflower that relies on its own species for reproduction. The study revealed that remaining pollinators, facing reduced competition, became less faithful to any one plant type, thereby exacerbating the reproductive challenges faced by plants dependent on specialized pollinators (Source 1).

The decline of bee populations is emblematic of broader issues facing threatened species worldwide. In their joint statement, the USDA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emphasized that “no single silver bullet will solve the problems affecting honey bees and other pollinators.” This acknowledgment of a multifaceted issue underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to conservation. Proposed solutions include habitat enhancement, targeted pesticide regulations, and improved management practices for bee colonies. Importantly, these strategies need to be implemented collectively to ensure the survival of pollinators, which in turn is essential for the health of our food systems and biodiversity as a whole.

The situation faced by bees serves as a microcosm of the challenges that threatened species encounter globally. Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and invasive species all contribute to declining populations of various flora and fauna, each ripple effect putting entire ecosystems at risk. The extinction of a single species can lead to an imbalance that destabilizes whole food webs, illustrating the interconnectedness of life on Earth.

In conclusion, the plight of threatened species, particularly bees, calls for immediate and concerted action. The repercussions of their decline extend well beyond the natural world, directly impacting human agriculture and food security. To protect the delicate balance of our ecosystems, it is imperative that society takes measures to preserve and restore biodiversity. By understanding the interdependence of species and the vital roles they play, we can work towards a more sustainable future, ensuring that both threatened species and human populations thrive side by side. As stewards of the planet, we must prioritize the protection of our most vulnerable species, for their fate is ultimately tied to our own.