The endangered panda in biology
下面为大家整理一篇优秀的essay代写范文 -- The endangered panda in biology,文章讲述对于大熊猫,毫无疑问,它们是世界上最受欢迎的动物之一。但是,由于它们的稀有性和特殊的外观,它们成功地引起了全世界的关注。那么什么是大熊猫?熊猫是一种动物,眼睛,耳朵,枪口,腿和肩膀周围有白色的外套和黑色的皮毛。它们具有一些独特的物理特征,例如宽而扁平的臼齿和增大的腕骨,可作为相对的拇指使用。这两种物理属性都有助于熊猫握住,压碎和吃竹子。
Referring to pandas, there is no doubt that they are one of the most popular animals in the world. However, due to their rarity and special appearance, they succeed in catching the whole world’s attention.
So what are pandas? Pandas are animals that have a white coat with black fur around their eyes, on their ears, muzzle, legs and shoulders. They have some unique physical features such as broad, flat molar teeth and enlarged wrist bone that functions as an opposable thumb. Both of these physical attributes help the panda to hold, crush and eat bamboo. “Giant pandas are about 150cm long from nose to rump, with a 10-15cm tail. A large adult panda can weigh about 100-150kg, with males 10% larger and 20% heavier than females” (Wikipedia). Giant pandas are generally solitary, each adult having a well-defined home range, within which they move about regularly and encounters are rare outside the brief mating season. “She ate within a circle of three feet, moved a few steps and ate some more, consuming only coarse stems and discarding the leafy tops; she then sat hunched, forepaws in her lap, drowsy and content. Within a circle of 3,000 feet was her universe, all that she needed: bamboo, a mate, a snug tree-den in which to bear young." (Schaller 291) Therefore, Pandas are believed to be poor breeders. This is an impression based on the disappointing reproductive performance of captive pandas. But wild panda populations involved in long-term studies are known to have reproductive rates comparable to those of some populations of American black bears, which are thriving. A Panda's daily menu consists almost entirely of the leaves, stems, and shoots of various bamboo species. As members of the bear family, giant pandas possess the same digestive system of a carnivore but they differ in the sense that they have adapted to a vegetarian diet. This behavior defines their lives in many ways, since they will often rely on living close to areas where bamboo is abundant. This leaves them vulnerable to any loss of bamboo habitat – a key threat to their survival.
Hence, bamboo is essential to such a kind of animal. Nowadays, giant pandas have become the national treasure of China and are regarded as a way to make diplomacy. It is often heard that China has sent or lend a panda to a certain country to show the friendship, from which we can see the preciousness of pandas with the evidence that they are treated extremely well. As so many people are curious about the phenomenon that pandas only exist in China, studies have been made by lots of relevant researchers. Firstly, its eating habit should be analyzed. Pandas are one of the world’s most fascinating vegetarians. Their digestive systems evolved to process meat, yet they eat nothing but bamboo—all day, every day. The two bamboo species in Qinling, wood bamboo and arrow bamboo, grow at different elevations and sprout new shoots and leaves at different times of the year. During mating season in the spring, pandas fed on young wood bamboo shoots, which are rich in nitrogen and phosphorous. In June, the wood bamboo shoots had matured and contained fewer nutrients, so pandas migrated to higher elevations and started eating young arrow bamboo shoots. However, both species’ shoots had low calcium levels, which pushed pandas toward the next dietary shift in mid-July: young arrow bamboo leaves, which are rich in calcium. This dietary juggling act not only affecst panda reproduction, but also explains the small distributions of pandas. Since bamboo is native to a variety of tropical locations and these bamboos are typically sun-lovers, it will be reasonable that they only grow in some certain areas.
According to statistics, by 2004, there were estimated to be 1,600 pandas alive in the wild. Although there seems to be an increase comparing to the numbers decades years ago, the situation of pandas’ species is not optimistic. Through analysis, there are two obvious reasons which will be discussed respectively from a natural and human factor. In populations of wild animals, evolution works on many characters at the one time. In herds of domestic animals, which are claimed to reflect evolution in action, only a few characters are selected by the breeder. For characters which is controlled by many genes (rather than just one gene), genetic studies show that the character's heritability is crucial. Low heritability means that a character makes virtually no progress in taking over a population. Evolution under natural conditions should therefore only work on one or two characters at a time, and then only on those characters that are controlled by a single gene. It is interesting to note that the Giant Panda does not fit this scenario - it appears to be an exception. If evolution is true, with our knowledge only an interpretation of the past events, then animals should fit the scientific model. Dr. Li Shaochang, the director of China's Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, believes that “Giant Pandas will only exist for the next one or two decades. They are not becoming extinct because of human slaughter, but because they are not good breeders in the wild” (Li 18). Despite Giant Pandas having 'evolved', Chen Yucun, Director of the Fuzhou Zoological Society, reported that the male and female pandas have reproductive incompatibilities. Even with an IVF (artificial breeding) program, scientists foresee problems even with breeding pandas in captivity. Now if evolution produces life on earth, the theory and simulations show that strong breeding ability has to be selected for, otherwise a species will not produce a large enough population for evolution act on. Some may say that pandas have lost their reproductive ability because evolution is not working on them at the moment. With no natural predators to keep their breeding fine-tuned, pandas are "devolving" in that area.
However, another important reason causing the small number of giant pandas is the interference of human beings. The rapid development of modern China's economy and infrastructure provides an increasing threat to the giant panda. The climate change caused by the quantities of instructions has made a huge influence on the habitat of these fragile animals. As mentioned before, giant pandas live on one specific plant—bamboos. However, bamboo can be a risky crop to stake survival on because it has an unusual reproductive cycle. It only “flower and reproduce every 30 to 35 years, which limits the plants' ability to adapt to changing climate and can spell disaster for a food supply” (nsf.gov). Therefore, the decreasing of its food sources leads pandas to a harder life. Habitat loss destroys bamboo, which is the giant panda's sole food source. It also isolates pandas causing a reduction in the rate that mating and reproduction occurs. However, the giant panda population also is threatened by other human disturbances and climate change is only one challenge for the giant pandas. Poachers kill only a few pandas each year, but hunters of other animals in the area accidentally kill pandas on a more regular basis further reducing their numbers. Furthermore, people occupy more and more land by cutting down trees or other plants, shrinking the living circles of the pandas as well as other animals. The disappearing of their homeland also put them into a tough condition.
Faced with such a phenomenon, we have to consider the necessity to take measures to protect this species. One reason is that panda is one of the beautiful creatures in this world (perhaps universe) so we need to save it for its intrinsic value. As being a sensible creature we human beings must correct our activities. Pandas are being lost and killed due to their habitat destruction, poaching and killing. Why a species in world to be put in danger due to another species? It is an ethical responsibility to be taken by entire human beings. Is it a good thing to kill an independent and beautiful species of this world? If some people have done mistakes (killing and destroying species) in past, isn't it our responsibility to correct those mistakes, so that we can handle the beauty of nature to the next generation. Plus, by saving the panda, we are actually helping preserve the rich biodiversity. The survival of the panda and the protection of its habitat will ensure the quality of life of millions of people living in the area. For instance, the panda habitat is found at the top of the Yangtze Basin, an ecoregion shared by both pandas and communities who have used the region's natural resources for thousands of years. The basin is the geographic and economic heart of China, and is one of the critical places for biodiversity conservation in the world. By protecting the biological diversity and their habitat, we will guarantee that the populations living in the region will continue to reap ecosystem benefits for many future generations. It goes without saying that the ecological environment is of vital importance. Only with the ecological balance can we human beings live a better life.
Here are some practical measures. Since habitat loss is a major concern, government enforcing policies to reduce or stop development of forest area will help considerably. Promoting conservation messages and heightening awareness of people around the world are important. Let people know about the plight of the Giant Pandas and how they can contribute. It may seem that ordinary people can do nothing to save pandas since we cannot establish reservations or breed pandas artificially. Nevertheless, we can prevent ourselves from disturbing or destroying their living environment. Keeping away from their habitat and stopping hunting for them will make a great difference. To prevent giant pandas from becoming extinct, mankind needs to learn to live without converting all the panda homelands into human spaces. That is because pandas need food, space, low stress and access to mates. If they are forced to live in small pockets of bamboo forests surrounded by mankind, they may have limited food, small areas to roam, enhanced stress from nearby noise, pollution, or industrial interference, and if their environments are separated from each other, they may not be able to reach enough potential mates to keep their gene pool varied enough to be viable. Besides, we can also protect these creatures from extinction by raising awareness about these animals. In order to save pandas, or any other seriously endangered animal, people need to know about the growing need for action against the dangers to the animals. Scientists need to continue to research panda bears to try and understand them better, which may aid in saving the animals later on. Certain organizations are supposed to support the research and conservation of the pandas. Raising pandas in captivity to raise the panda population by zoos worldwide can also be a feasible way.
To conclude, giant pandas are decreasing to extinction. Everyone is responsible to save them since preserving pandas is one part of our plans to build a harmonious world. To save endangered species means to save ourselves.
References:
Li, Shaochang, An article in the Science section of The Canberra Times ,1997.
Schaller, George B. THE LAST PANDA. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1993.
“Climate Change Threatens Giant Pandas' Bamboo Buffet--and Survival” <http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=126045>
“Wikipedia”. Def. gint panda. 15 Nov.2014 <http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB>
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