TPO 18 – task 1

The professor discusses the three recommended solution for preventing the extinction of Torreya taxifoha and explains why none of them are satisfactory. The information she presents contradicts the facts outlined in the reading passage.

First, the speaker makes the point that reestablishing Torreya in the same location is unlikely to succeed. The microclimates and the climate in the northern part of Florida have changed due to large surrounding areas. The overall temperature has been increased in the last decades, the wetlands have been drained, and many lands have become drier. Hence, nowhere similar to the original microclimate of Torreya can be found now. However, the reading passage states that northern Florida's microclimate is very favorable to Torreya's growth and the scientists have been working to plant Torreya seed in the coolest, dampest areas of the microclimate.

Second, the lecturer indicates that assisted migration can have unpredictable hazardous outcomes for the new environment. For example, the Black Nocus tree assisted migration is a similar case, in which the trees grew so fast and killed other plants in the area. Hence, planting Torreya in another place is not a satisfactory solution. On the other hand, the article mentions that some scientists think that assisted migration can help Torreya to return to an environment that is more suited to its survival.

Third, the professor posits that preservation of Torreya in research centers is pointless. Torreya must be planted in large lands with genetical diversity; hence, Torreya is not able to survive diseases in the research centers. Consequently, the research centers do not have the capacity to support large population of Torreya. On the contrary, the reading passage says the research can be used to ensure the continued survival of the species and the scientist can move and preserve Torreya in a closely monitored environment.