Reading
In the 1950s Torreya taxifolia, a type of evergreen tree once very common in the state of
Florida, started to die out. No one is sure exactly what caused the decline, but chances are good that if nothing is done, Torreya will soon become extinct. Experts are considering three ways to address the decline of Torreya.
The first option is to reestablish Torreya in the same location in which it thrived for
thousands of years. Torreya used to be found in abundance in the northern part of Florida, which has a specific microclimate. A microclimate exists when weather conditions inside a relatively small area differ from the region of which that area is a part. Northern Florida’s microclimate is very favorable to Torreya’s growth. This microclimate is wetter and cooler than the surrounding region’s relatively dry, warm climate. Scientists have been working to plant Torreya seeds in the coolest, dampest areas of the microclimate.
The second option is to move Torreya to an entirely different location, far from its
Florida microclimate. Torreya seeds and saplings have been successfully planted and
grown in forests further north, where the temperature is significantly cooler. Some scientists believe that Torreya probably thrived in areas much further north in the distant past, so by relocating it now, in a process known as assisted migration, humans would simply be helping Torreya return to an environment that is more suited to its survival.
The third option is to preserve Torreya in research centers. Seeds and saplings can be
moved from the wild and preserved in a closely monitored environment where it will be
easier for scientists both to protect the species and to conduct research on Torreya. This research can then be used to ensure the continued survival of the species
Lecture
You’ve just read about three ways to save Torreya taxifolia. Unfortunately, none of these
three options provides a satisfactory solution.
About the first solution, reestablishing Torreya in the same location. That’s unlikely
to be successful because of what’s happening to the coolest, dampest areas within Torreya’s microclimate. These areas are being strongly affected by changes in the climate of
the larger region. This could be because global warming has contributed to an increase
in overall temperatures in the region or because wetlands throughout Florida have been
drained. Either way, many areas across the region are becoming drier. So it’s unlikely that
Torreya would have the conditions it needs to survive anywhere within its original Florida
microclimate.
Now, about the second solution, relocating Torreya far from where it currently grows.
Well, let’s look at what happened when humans helped another tree, the black locust tree,
move north to a new environment.When they did this, the black locust tree spread so quickly that it killed off many plants and trees in the new environment—and some of these plants and trees were themselves already in danger of becoming extinct. So assisted migration can have unpredicted outcomes for the new environment.
Third, research centers are probably not a solution either. That’s because the population of Torreya trees that can be kept in the centers will probably not be able to resist
diseases. For a population of trees to survive a disease, it needs to be relatively large and it
needs to be genetically diverse. Tree populations in the wild usually satisfy those criteria.
But research centers would simply not have enough capacity to keep a large and diverse
population of Torreya trees, so trees in such centers will not be capable of surviving diseases in the long term.
Narrator
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on
the specific solutions presented in the reading reading.
Original student response (From reddit)
The reading and the lecture discuss three ways on how to combat the reduction of the Torreya taxifolia. The author of the reading proposes three different strategies, which the lecturer challenges.
First, the reading suggests to relocate the Torreya to it's origin, the northern part of Florida, because of it's microclimate. The lecturer has concerns about this strategy. She notes that it's unlikely for Torreya's population to thrive again in this environment due to the areas being affected by the climate of larger regions. According to her, the climate changes because of the global warming as well as the drying of the wetlands.
Secondly, the author asserts to relocate the Torreya to an entirely different microclimate, far away from northern Florida. The lecturer is in disagreement about this aswell. She claims that once a similar tree, the black locust, has been relocated, it caused other trees and plants to become extinct. Some of those plants where already endangered, so by relocating the tree mentioned, the problem of extinction got even worse.
Finally, the last strategy proposed by the passage is to preserve Torreya in research centers. In contrast, the lecturer’s stance is that the preserved population won’t be able to resist diseases. To be able to resist a disease, a population has to be large and diverse, which is, according to the lecturer, hard to achieve for the Torreya because of the lack of capacity in those centers. So once the Torreya will be infected by a disease, it can quickly become extinct aswell.
Dr. Nanhee Byrnes’ Feedback
The reading and the lecture discuss three ways on how to combat the reduction of the Torreya taxifolia. The author of the reading proposes three different strategies, which the lecturer challenges.
Avoid using lengthy, empty intro templates. Save time for the content.
Instead of "reduction," use "significant reduction in number," "the potential extinction," or "the drastic decline in the number."
Add a quick description of what Torreya is using an appositive structure. For example: Torreya, a species of evergreen tree native to Florida, is facing a significant reduction in number.
The reading proposes three different strategies to combat the potential extinction of the Torreya taxifolia, an evergreen tree once very common in the state of Florida. The lecturer challenges all of the proposals.
First, the reading suggests to relocate the Torreya to it's origin, the northern part of Florida, because of it's microclimate. The lecturer has concerns about this strategy. She notes that it's unlikely for Torreya's population to thrive again in this environment due to the areas being affected by the climate of larger regions. According to her, the climate changes because of the global warming as well as the drying of the wetlands.
Grammar: “suggest + that clause" or "suggest + noun/gerund.
the reading suggests to relocate → the reading suggests relocating
it’s → its
too brief: because of it's microclimate → because its microclimate is suitable for the trees as the area is more humid and cooler.
The professor’s reason is not explained clearly. This should be the reason:
She maintains that the microclimates that once allowed the trees to flourish no longer exist due to changes in the whole region. We are not sure why this is happening, possibly because of global warming or the draining of wetlands. What is certain, according to the professor, is that the whole region has become drier, so there is no suitable microclimate in Florida for the trees to thrive.
Secondly, the author asserts to relocate the Torreya to an entirely different microclimate, far away from northern Florida. The lecturer is in disagreement about this aswell. She claims that once a similar tree, the black locust, has been relocated, it caused other trees and plants to become extinct. Some of those plants where already endangered, so by relocating the tree mentioned, the problem of extinction got even worse.
incorrect fact: What is similar is the situation, not the trees.
The professor’s reason is not explained clearly. This should be the reason:
She casts doubt on this strategy by citing an example of failed assisted migration, specifically the case of the black locust tree. When the locust trees were planted in an entirely new environment, they adapted so well that they actually became pests, leading to the extinction of native plants in that region. The professor thus emphasizes that we should heed this lesson.
Finally, the last strategy proposed by the passage is to preserve Torreya in research centers. In contrast, the lecturer’s stance is that the preserved population won’t be able to resist diseases. To be able to resist a disease, a population has to be large and diverse, which is, according to the lecturer, hard to achieve for the Torreya because of the lack of capacity in those centers. So once the Torreya will be infected by a disease, it can quickly become extinct aswell.
Incorrect tense use: Use present in a dependent clause for future possibility, and use "will" in the main clause as follows:
When a few of the Torreya trees are infected by some diseases, the rest will quickly be infected as well, and thus will become extinct in the confined research centers.
The professor’s reason is explained correctly and clearly
You generally have good grammar, and your ideas are easy to understand. However, the essay scores at the mid-level because the ideas are not logically connected, and some of the information is inaccurate.
Essay score= 3.5
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