Conservation Efforts for Endangered Seahorses in Australia

Draven Cooper Dec 2023 Social Science Southen New Hampshire University Part 1: Natural Science Topic Exploration In this section, you will explore a natural science topic by selecting and analyzing a current news story. You will also reflect on your existing knowledge about the topic. Then, you will identify how research on the topic was conducted as described in the news story. 1. Describe the main idea discussed in your chosen news story. 1. In other words, what is the key concept or thesis being examined in the news story? In a conservation effort, biologists are releasing large amounts of baby seahorses into the Sydney harbor to boost population numbers. They have also incorporated man- made shelters underwater for them to have a safe environment to flourish. 2. Explain your prior and desired knowledge regarding the main idea in your news story. 1. What do you already know about the topic? Do you have personal experience with the topic? What else would you like to know about it?

I had prior knowledge of the sad reality regarding the oceans surrounding Australia and the decreasing numbers of wildlife and plant species in their waters. I thought this article was interesting as one of the countless conservation efforts to attempt to bring the reefs back to their former glory and health. I would like to further research the varying methods of re-introduction and conservation of species happening all around Australia. In a way, all of these things tie into the same food chains and ecosystems and rely on one another to thrive. 3. Identify a scientific approach that the scientist(s) used to research the topic. 1. Consider the way the topic was studied or how evidence was collected. Consult your article for this information. You do not need to conduct outside research. The approach used in these studies is to gain more information and properly research the effectiveness of habitat restoration in removing the White Seahorse from the endangered species list. Captive breeding is one method they have been utilizing in many of these studies, to boost population numbers before re-releasing into the targeted reefs and habitats. This process is intensive and requires round-the-clock care and monitoring of these seahorses while they’re pregnant to ensure health and survival. They

are also restoring habitats in the wild using “hotels” built to provide shelter and protection for the seahorses as they’re released back into the wild. This is to ensure their survival moving forward, to protect themselves from predators. These structures are designed so that they will eventually attract coral and other similar species to attach to the structures and create more balanced ecosystems. The combination of these methods is aimed at increasing the population of White's seahorses and, ultimately, helping this endangered species recover. Part 2: Fundamental Questions About the Natural World In this section, you will identify questions you want to answer about your topic. Your finalized question will directly influence the hypothesis you write. Finally, you will consider how your opinions and experiences affected the focus of your hypothesis. 1. Finalize your research question related to the main idea in the news story you selected. 1. Your finalized question will be based on the questions you began working with earlier in the course. What other endangered species could have a positive effect environmentally should they be bred and re-introduced to the environment of the Australian oceans?

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2. Propose a hypothesis based on your finalized research question. 1. Make sure your hypothesis is directly related to your finalized research question and is both testable and falsifiable. If species continue to be re-introduced through breeding restorative programs, then the Australian coral reefs will be restored to their former glory. 3. Explain how your personal beliefs, assumptions, and values influenced how you approached writing your hypothesis. 1. Think about your preexisting opinions and knowledge about the topic. How might they have affected the focus of your hypothesis? When I was younger, I had a heavy interest in marine life and the ecosystems you can find in the various depths underwater. One of my favorite to research was the Australian seas, because of how beautiful so many of the reefs used to be, but over the years so much of the plant and animal life has vanished, and the colors and beauty along with it. The conservation efforts being made now can be the last hope for any future of the Great Barrier Reef. This was what made me think about species beyond seahorses, as well as the seahorse's role in the food chain that can make

the surroundings thrive. Part 3: Major Developments in the Natural Sciences In this section, you will research a significant advancement, discovery, or event that has affected how scientists research your topic. You will also explore the interrelationship between science and ethics. 1. Describe one major development in the natural sciences that has impacted how your topic was or may be studied. 1. In other words, what advancements or events have changed how scientists research your topic? An ethical issue involving marine restoration projects in Australia is that some decisions must be made, that either way may cause some immediate damage but prevent other damage, or, choose not to do so and allow damage to be caused long-term. For example, there are shallow areas that have many shipwrecks because of the lack of depth. Those shipwrecks cause a release of excess iron in the water, which kills off coral species and is counterproductive to restoration projects. They have the option to dump sludge of sand from the ocean floor on different parts of the reef to adjust the depth, but this can mean temporary damage and loss of fish and plant species in those areas. 2. Describe the contributions of a scientist (or group of scientists) who was involved in the major development relevant to your topic.

1. You might consider the scientist’s motivations to study the topic, the challenges they encountered, or how their research changed how we think about the topic. This issue is very complex because depending on personal values one could see either way as worse than the other. For example, someone who for some reason enjoys the evils of capitalism may think that the shipwrecks are reason alone to disregard the safety of the reefs by dumping the sludge anywhere convenient, to handle the issue quickly. While environmentalists would lean toward extended research to ensure the least possible ecological damage. 3. Discuss how an ethical issue might impact research on your topic. 1. Some examples of ethical issues in science include bias in research, the impact of politics on science, research funding sources, objectivity in science, or the spread of scientific misinformation. This ethical issue becomes prevalent in regards to re- introducing species to the reefs because over 14.5Kilometers are affected, and the various areas where coral are being replanted and the seahorse hotels are both very delicate re-integration processes that need time before they are stable on their own, or may be able to withstand something as drastic as a rain of pounds of sand coating the

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areas they live. This has required very specific location studies and mapping of the best places for these projects to have the highest impact long-term. The research for all of the restoration projects around Australia's oceans depends heavily on location-based research so that they are performed in low-foot traffic areas for both pedestrians and boats. Projects involving the boat routes are also important factors in balancing the ecological studies as well as the moral operations around the marinas for tourism and import/export lines. Part 4: The Value of Studying the Natural Sciences In this section, you will reflect on the benefit of having a deeper understanding of the natural sciences to you personally and to society as a whole. 1. Explain how viewing the world through a scientific lens may influence your personal life. 1. In other words, how might applying scientific inquiry skills to your daily experiences help you better understand them or take action? In day-to-day life it is important that we see things through a scientific point of view so that we can approach problems already with ideas on how to fix it. If you have the ability to make observations and apply that information, you are one

step closer to a solution each time. 2. Articulate how being a more scientifically informed citizen may affect your relationship with your community. 1. Think about challenges or opportunities in your community. How might being more scientifically literate benefit your community? Being scientifically informed is incredibly important because our government would often prefer we be left in the dark about the realities of the world. The knowledge of sciences allows us to understand the plants and animals around us, the weather patterns, the way our bodies work, and how to fix them when they're not well, and everything that surrounds us. Each field requires a knowledge of some sort of science, whether it's identified as such or not. And the more information you have the better you can create hypotheses in your daily life for problem-solving. 3. Discuss how being a more scientifically informed citizen may help you understand global contemporary issues. 1. Consider how being scientifically literate could influence how you approach current challenges or questions in the world, even outside the sciences. As we continue to rocket toward a "doom" caused by climate change-- rising tides, increased natural disasters, etc - it becomes increasingly important for every individual to

know little ways of slowing the speed. The knowledge regarding the environmental impact of certain businesses such as crude oils and plastics, and how reducing their use can clear the air and reduce ozone damage over time is now something that every suburban house should know to "help". However, it is the multi-billion dollar corporate factories that are causing the most damage and have no regard for the environmental impact, as long as they have money flowing into their pockets all the while.

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