Question

How does the author support the claim that people who release non-native animals into the wild should be punished?

Answer 1

The author supports the claim that people who release non-native animals into the wild should be punished based on evidence of fines reducing wildlife populations, negative impacts of bans on trade, and the importance of providing incentives to protect endangered species.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author supports the claim that people who release non-native animals into the wild should be punished through several pieces of evidence and examples.

First, bioeconomic modeling of a game market in Ghana suggests that imposing large fines on the commercial sale of wild meat can help recover wildlife populations. Fines reduce expected profits and encourage hunters to shift to less effective methods and reallocate their labor to other sources of cash. This evidence shows that fines can deter the release of non-native animals.

Second, bans on wildlife trade may curb legal trade and provide economic incentives for conservation. However, conservationists promoting the trade of saiga antelopes to the Chinese traditional medicine market inadvertently contributed to their population decline. This example highlights the need for punishment to discourage harmful actions.

Finally, introducing incentives for private landowners to protect endangered species offers more promise than command-and-control approaches. Paying landowners and restricting land use can create a habitat for endangered species and discourage the release of non-native species.

Answer 2

The author supports the claim with bioeconomic modeling evidence, historical examples, and calls for realistic control measures by conservation biologists. Through fines and protect areas, irresponsible releases that cause ecological harm can be deterred, reinforcing the need for punishment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author supports the claim that people who release non-native animals into the wild should be punished by presenting several arguments and pieces of evidence. For instance, bioeconomic modeling suggests that imposing fines can discourage hunters from overexploiting wildlife, thereby facilitating population recovery. Similarly, the author explains that unauthorized releases of non-native species can lead to ecological issues, such as genetic introgression, which can disrupt local ecosystems and outcompete native species.

Furthermore, historical examples, such as the American bison's decline due to economic incentives to convert land for cattle rearing, illustrate how economic factors can contribute to wildlife population declines. These examples show how penalties can help manage those economic drivers by making certain activities less profitable. Additionally, author mentioned the successful management involving both incentives and disincentives, suggesting a balance between rewarding good behavior and penalizing harmful actions.

Finally, conservation biologists advocate for realistic control measures, like protect areas where wildlife cannot be hunted or captured, as a way to manage small-scale exploitation systems. This approach could potentially be extended to penalize those who release non-native species, thus aligning with the claim that punishment is necessary for conservation efforts.