Write an essay in response to this prompt:
According to Johnson et al. (2017, p.270), humanity is the main cause of biodiversity loss,
but such losses ‘can be halted and even reversed’. With reference to the texts, outline the
impact of human beings on the current biodiversity crisis. Then evaluate one strategy
proposed in the texts for halting or reversing biodiversity loss.
Write between 600 – 900 words.
Introduction:
a. Background information explaining the importance of the topic
b. Definitions of key terms
c. An outline explaining how the essay is organised
d. A statement of the writer’s position
Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms from all sources on Earth (Royal Society, 2021,
p.2). Although species extinction is a feature of ecosystems, the rate of decline is currently
much faster than one would expect (Johnson et al., 2017, pp.270-271). It is therefore
important to find the cause of this extremely rapid decline and evaluate strategies for halting
or reversing biodiversity loss. The most significant cause of the current crisis is pressure from
growing human populations, especially due to resource consumption and conflicts in land use
(Johns, 2019, p.25). This essay will analyse the human impact on biodiversity before
evaluating protected area strategies for preventing biodiversity loss. It will be argued that
protected areas can play a vital role, but that further research is needed.
Paragraph:
A. the topic sentence
B. supporting sentences
C. the concluding sentence or sentences
Human pressures, especially the pressures of growing populations and consumption, are the
most important cause of the biodiversity crisis. Johnson et al. (2017, p.270) have combined
information from previous studies to show that humans have caused extinctions for 2 million
years. Furthermore, due to rising pressures, the authors predict that the rate of extinction
will accelerate five times as fast in the future. On the one hand, population growth is
increasing the requirement for land. As cities and villages grow, more and more space is used
to grow crops or build houses. This is a process that destroys the habitat of other species; for
example, the average abundance of species in the UK has declined by nearly half due to
damaging agricultural land management (Royal Society, 2021, p.3). On the other hand,
population growth and consumption pressures can offset the effects of existing conservation
policies (Johnson et al., 2017, p.272). Shortages of resources due to the population explosion
and complex social problems lead people to ignore the importance of biodiversity
conservation measures and, in extreme cases, defy conservation regulations (Pettorelli et al.,
2021, p.2386; Johns, 2019, p.25). Overall, human pressures, as the most significant impact on
biodiversity at this stage, deserve the attention of all sectors of society and mitigating
strategies must be put in place.
In order to reduce the biodiversity crisis, the implementation of protected area strategies is
essential. This strategy is widely supported in the literature; for example, Roberts et al. (2017,
cited in Pettorelli et al., 2021, p.2386) maintain that the establishment of protected areas is
currently a critical strategy for preventing biodiversity loss from human pressures. Similarly,
Johnson et al. (2017, pp.272-273) point to successful conservation projects in Europe and the
Americas, where populations of large carnivores and fish have recovered, and deforestation
has been significantly slowed. These examples show that protected areas may be the most
effective policy for biodiversity conservation, especially if free from human interference and
given a large enough area and long-term support.
However, it is important to note that not all protected area strategies have had a positive
impact on biodiversity, and sometimes they may even have the opposite effect. Examples
include the coastal wetlands mentioned by Cohen-Shacham et al., (2016, cited in Pettorelli et
al., 2021, p.2387), which may increase greenhouse gas emissions, thus exacerbating climate
change and harming biodiversity in the long term. In addition to this, inequitable land
distribution also contributes to the ineffectiveness of protected area strategies. Protected
areas tend to be established in areas of low biological productivity, while areas of high
productivity are used for human settlements and farming (Johns, 2019, p.15). Therefore,
rigorous planning and a balanced relationship between people and nature is necessary to
reduce biodiversity loss by means of protected areas.
In conclusion, biodiversity is under threat and human pressures are the main reason for the
rapid decline in species. The greatest pressure comes from conflicts in land use, since human
populations are growing, and people use biologically productive land for growing crops and
building homes. Protected areas are the key to solving biodiversity loss and their effective
long-term implementation will help greatly to restore biodiversity. However, how to balance
the relationship between people and protected areas, and to mitigate the loss of biodiversity
while simultaneously minimising the loss of human benefits, must be the focus of future
research.
OBE essay introduction
Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms from all sources on Earth (Royal Society, 2021, p.2).
Although species extinction is a feature of ecosystems, the rate of decline is currently much faster than
one would expect (Johnson et al., 2017, pp.270-271). It is therefore important to find the cause of this
extremely rapid decline and evaluate strategies for halting or reversing biodiversity loss. The most
significant cause of the current crisis is pressure from growing human populations, especially due to
resource consumption and conflicts in land use (Johns, 2019, p.25). This essay will analyse the human
impact on biodiversity before evaluating protected area strategies for preventing biodiversity loss. It will
be argued that protected areas can play a vital role, but that further research is needed.
1. Can you identify the common features in this introduction? Highlight the features using different
colours
a. Background information explaining the importance of the topic
b. Definitions of key terms
c. An outline explaining how the essay is organised
d. A statement of the writer’s position
OBE essay conclusion
In conclusion, biodiversity is under threat and human pressures are the main reason for the rapid
decline in species. The greatest pressure comes from conflicts in land use, since human populations are
growing, and people use biologically productive land for growing crops and building homes. Protected
areas are the key to solving biodiversity loss and their effective long-term implementation will help
greatly to restore biodiversity. However, how to balance the relationship between people and protected
areas, and to mitigate the loss of biodiversity while simultaneously minimising the loss of human
benefits, must be the focus of future research.
1. Can you identify the common features in this conclusion? Highlight the features using different
colours. Some features overlap, so don’t worry if you think there is more than one possible answer.
a. A restatement of the writer’s position
b. A summary of the main claims
c. References to the future and recommendations
Good paragraphs often have three features:
1. Topic sentence
This is usually the opening sentence, which introduces the main idea of the
paragraph. A good topic sentence may also connect to the overall essay
theme. For example:
“In order to reduce the biodiversity crisis, the implementation of protected
area strategies is essential.”
2. Supporting sentences
These develop the main idea with evidence and explanations. In academic
writing, this often involves summarising and synthesising information from
different sources. For example:
“This strategy is widely supported in the literature; for example, Roberts et
al. (2017, cited in Pettorelli et al., 2021, p.2386) maintain that the
establishment of protected areas is currently a critical strategy for
preventing biodiversity loss from human pressures. Similarly, Johnson et al.
(2017, pp.272-273) point to successful conservation projects in Europe and
the Americas, where populations of large carnivores and fish have
recovered, and deforestation has been significantly slowed.”
3. Concluding sentence or sentences
Here, the writer draws logical conclusions and connects them to their
overall argument. Logical conclusions are often indicated by language such
as ‘Thus’, ‘Therefore’, ‘That is why’ or ‘These examples show’. For
example:
“These examples show that protected areas may be the most effective
policy for biodiversity conservation, especially if free from human
interference and given a large enough area and long-term support.”
Not every paragraph has concluding sentences. In longer texts, you might
see many paragraphs of support, followed by a paragraph of conclusions.