White Rhionceros

Chosen Species -Common Name: White Rhionceros (Scientific name: Ceratotherium
Simum)
ï‚· Research your species. Research the biology and ecology of your species. Look
up its current conservation status, population trends, and the major threats to its
population.
ï‚· Write and edit a detailed conservation report. Write a 1000-word report that
includes the following four sections (use subheadings):
ï‚· Biology and Ecology: Describe the ecosystem that your species belongs
to, the main interacting species (e.g. prey, predators, competitors etc.), the
functional role your species plays within that ecosystem (e.g. seed disperser,
nutrient cycler, apex predator, habitat engineer, prey, etc.). Describe your
species’ habitat requirements (e.g. climate, food, shelter, special nursery
habitat, special mating areas etc.), its reproductive capacity (e.g. how many
offspring and how quickly it could bounce back if threats were reduced), and
its range (previous extent and current extent of species distribution). This
section should answer the conservation needs and capabilities of your
species. Be sure to cite (APA intext) and reference (APA) all your sources.
ï‚· History and Current Status: Describe how the population and range of
your species has declined over the past 100 years (give numbers). Explain
how much habitat has been lost or degraded, and/or other factors that have
decreased its population over time. Describe current threats to your species
such as climate change and invasive species. Describe conservation plans
that have been put in place to protect your species and how they have fared.
This section should explain in detail the change in population and habitat
over time, using numbers wherever possible. Be sure to cite (APA intext)
and reference (APA) all your sources.
ï‚· Systems Map and Description: Create a 'System Map' that details the
main human activities, conditions, and human groups that cause(d) the
decline of your species population and habitat. You can use any type of
Systems Map but the Causal Loop diagram is usually the simplest way to
envision multiple factors that have caused the decline in this species'
population and habitat over time. Be sure to consider the interactions
between these underlying causes. Provide credible evidence to support your
map in an accompanying written description. This section should detail the
interacting systems that endanger your species. Be sure to cite (APA intext)
and reference (APA) all your sources.
ï‚· References: This section is the full APA Style references list for every in-text
citation. You need an APA intext citation for every statement of fact or group
of facts in your paper. You should have cited in your paper at least four peer-
reviewed journals as well as at least four other credible sources. You should
have at least 8 cited sources in total. Use proper APA style for each citation;
it is not sufficient to include just the URLs. See Important Guidelines section
below for more details. Be concise; this is a short paper, which should be clear and logical.

ï‚· Use your own words, simplify the terminology in the articles you use, and define the terms
you use. A non-scientist classmate should be able to understand your paper.
ï‚· If you are guessing or making an arbitrary judgment, be clear about your level of uncertainty
(e.g. “it seems likely that … given …”).
ï‚· Italicize scientific names (Genus species).
ï‚· Make sure that it is easy to trace the logic of your paper through all sections.
ï‚· Make sure to edit and proofread carefully. Plan on editing to clarify key points. Do not hand in
your first draft.
ï‚· Do not use direct quotes; instead you should paraphrase and cite.
 Citations are required for every statement of fact. If in doubt, cite it. You won’t lose marks for
too many in-text citations. But you will lose marks if your claims aren’t cited.
ï‚· Avoid Plagiarism