TPO15-integ

Both the reading and lecture discuss possible solutions to prevent wide spread population of cane toad which is a large amphibian species in Australia. They were imported from America to Australia in order to kill insects which are harmful for crops in farmlands. But unusual growth of them takes other native animal into danger. The reading claims that several methods have been presented to stop growth and distribution of toads. However, the lecturer finds all mentioned ideas dubious and unsuccessful and presents some evidence to refute them all.

First, the reading holds the view that by building the national fence around their habitats, they will be bounded to a limited area. On the contrary, the professor brings up the idea that cane toad eggs can be fertilized in marine places. So, toads use marine as a way to move into other places. In other words, national fence can only be applied into lands and not the areas with water.

Furthermore, the author argues that people can capture toads easily. It states that it is a possible solution for government to organize a campaign in order to destroy toads. In contrast, the lecturer dismisses the issue due to the fact that people who participate in a campaign are not trained. They may devastate other native frogs unintentionally since they are similar to each other.

Last but not least, the passage states that introducing a virus which is made merely to prevent growth of toad population is another reasonable solution. Conversely, the professor underlines the fact that the virus has an influence on other reptiles. In fact, the reptiles taken to America by researchers can be harmful for whole ecosystem there; they will make other toad in America affected.