Reality TV and It's Side Effects

Reality television has had a large impact on the entertainment industry since it's beginnings. It gives the audience a window into the personal lives of people who live lives that seem glamorous and intense. In some cases, as is with Jersey Shore, the spectator also gets an ego boost, thinking they are better and smarter than those they see on television. The new found popularity of reality television has also lead to other shows mimicking the window into anther’s lives. For example, Modern Family uses interviews to make it seem as though the characters are real people who are conscious of being filmed.

The public's infatuation with reality television is much like that of their infatuation with sports. They live their lives through the people on the screen, the triumphs of the random strangers being their triumphs, the losses of the random strangers being their losses. Reality television acts as a simulation, allowing everything to be lived without actually escaping the watcher's comfort zone. One can live it up on the party scene while staying safely in their own homes, not risking STDs or hangovers. It's the perfect situation for the modern day couch potato.

Most reality shows today are geared towards the young adult audience, as it tends to be young adults who are more interested in watching horrible television in the first place. It gives the youth of a nation hope that one day, they too will be standing in front of a panel of judges that will decide if they're attractive enough to be America's next top model, or if they have enough talent to be the next American idol. This fad, however, is not only isolated to the land of the free and home of the brave. The roots of the great tree of reality tv are slowly snaking their tendrils into the rest of the world. As other countries begin to make their own versions of the American hits (or the other way around), reality tv begins to slowly take over the lives of those who never leave their homes. Which is actually a large amount of the population, so reality tv is coming very close to taking over the world (at least the the television world anyway).

woop woop

My opinion... again!!

Human needs and the protection of biodiversity can be balanced by showing people how to farm more cautiously, so as to not hurt the forest life so much. Another way would be to find a more sustainable way to mine and log, as these activities can severely hurt the biodiversity of the area. Ecotourism is also very helpful, as this could gain revenue as well as keep certain species safe. Road construction should also be diminished, as this can easily hurt the biodiversity.

International treaties

CITES. There ya go

World Wide Efforts

Worldwide efforts to protect the Tropical Andes include:

1. CITES: Many species that reside in the Tropical Andes are included in the CITES list of species that cannot be hunted or traded.
2. WWF: The Spectacled Bear and many plant species are protected by the World Wildlife Fund.
3. Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW): Collaborates with Sociedad Boliviana de Derecho Ambiental to protect the Bolivian Tropical Andes and, in turn, protects the biodiversity.

Great Controversies in Protection

In many places, like certain areas of Brazil, logging poses a large threat. Unfortunately, logging is seen as an important facet of local economy, and the protection of the forest is seen as something of little importance. In 2001, the launch of and interim measure (MP) by the federal government which imposed a new forestry code angered many large land owners, as they proposed a 20% deforestation. In Bolivia, the a 1996 New Forestry Policy has been put under analysis as well, in a way that resembles the situation of Brazil.

Emma's opnions!!!

It is better to care for an entire ecosystem because then more than one species is benefited. When only one species is cared for, yes that species survives, but what about the others? Though it would probably be more expensive, it would be good not only for the many species in the ecosystem, but for ecotourism. The more species are still alive and protected, the more people will want to see, and maybe even learn about. One is better than few, as the more there are, the more benefit is for everyone.

Endangered and threatened species of the Tropical Andes

Endangered Species:

1. Jaguar: Protection of the jaguar includes it's inclusion in the Conservation on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the detailed work of the Wildlife Conservation Society, the prohibition of Jaguar in countries like the United States and Nicaragua, and in countries including Mexico and Costa Rica hunting is only permitted if it is a "problem animal". The Paseo del Jaguar is also a conversation attempt that consists of the connection of refuges and conservation corridors.
2. Yellow- Tailed Woolly Monkey: Protected by Evolutionary Distinct & Globally Endangered (EDGE), as well as the Neotropical Primate Conservation which also helps reforestation and sustainable development. 

Threatened Species:

1. Spectacled Bear: Large amount of protected land (48,000 km^2) which include reserves and national parks, though not adequately protected, as many of these places are too small or too isolated ot maintain the bear population. Workshops are also offered to assist in the care and conservation of the Spectacled Bear. The Spectacled Bear can also be found in Appendix I of CITES.
2. Mountain Coati: Protected game species resolution in Venezuela, though not protected in Colombia or Ecuador.

Keystone species: Wax Palm (yes, again)

The wax palm is a keystone species for a variety of reasons. Not only is it used for church purposes for Palm Sunday, but it is also a great food source for many species. These species include birds like Toucans and Yellow- Eared Parrot, and the Spectacled Bear. Their leaves are used by birds for nesting and roosting as well. Without the wax palm, many animals would go hungry (as their fruit is the only thing that the Yellow- Eared Parrot as well), and their would be no materials for nesting and roosting. Where would the babies go? This plant keeps everything together and well.

Food Web

wax palm     > Spectacled Bear      > Cougars       > Andean Condor

Species Importance

Species that are important to humans or the ecosystem in the Tropical Andes include:

1. Wax Palm: Wax palm has been put in danger by it's use in Palm Sundays in churches. Wax palm is necessary for the nesting and roosting of the Yellow- Eared Parrot as well as providing it food with it's fruit.
2. Andean Condor: The Andean Condor has been important to South American culture due to it's association with the sun god in old Andean societies. It is also the official bird of many countries like, Bolivia and Chile, as well as being the being the national symbol of countries like Argentina, and Peru. They have been hunted to near extinction, mostly due to the "Arranque del Condor" in which a condor is shot, suspended by a frame while still alive, and punched to death by men riding horses.
3. Macaw: Consume toxic plants and fruits that most other animals cannot. This helps keep down the population of said plants.
4. Andean Bromelilad: The Andean Bromelilad has been threatened by pollution and road construction. It is a common food for foragers.
5. Poison Dart Frogs: Poison dart frogs are used by humans for darts as well as for medicine. They have been threatened by things as habitat loss and chytrid disease

Species Diversity!

The Tropical Andes is the most diverse place on Earth, in terms of species diversity. It contains a sixth of plant life in the world, and, in terms of animals, 570 different species. In terms of species evenness, the Tropical Andes are well as well.

WANTED

Argentinian Silverside (Odontesthes boariensis)

Carnivore (eats zooplankton)

Resides mainly in the estuaries, and freshwater systems of Peru, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile

Competes with native fish over food, causing the extinction of one fish (Titicaca Orestias) and the decline of many others.

REWARD: $1000,00,00,000