Research Approach
Describe the aim of the research in this article, the approach taken to examine the evidence, the major findings, and the significance of this article. Use complete sentences and structured paragraphs.
This article reports on a field study conducted in 22 freshwater wetlands located in the moderate to high intensity of land use in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Area in Australia. Through this the researchers aim to determine the presence as well as the concentration of various pesticides in these wetlands and the level of risk that these pesticides pose to the ecosystem of these wetlands. In order to select the wetlands for the study, the researchers followed a 5-point criteria and were selected in consonance with the regional Natural Resource Management body. Researchers used passive samplers for the purpose of sampling, and Passive Flow Monitors for the determination of aqueous contaminant concentration. Established techniques were followed in field methods from samplers’ deployment to dispatching of samplers. Overall, 195 pesticides, as well as degradates, were analysed from the elutriate present in the passive samplers using various scientific methods. This was done with assistance from Queensland Health, Forensic and Scientific Services, and Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences.
In all of the 22 freshwater wetlands, pesticides were detected frequently, with about 12 to 30 types of pesticides detected in each wetland. Out of these wetlands, 10 wetlands contained a concentration of at least one pesticide higher than the guidelines of ecosystem protection. The average aqueous concentration for 28 days, showed ecologically harmful exposure to the organisms for extended periods in about half of the sampled wetlands.
The article holds immense significance as the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Area is an ecologically-sensitive region. It holds great importance not just for Australia but for the entire world. Any adverse impact on GBRCA will prove detrimental to the Great Barrier Reef, which is home to more than 9,000 marine species, most importantly the coral reefs. The pesticides result in the bleaching of the corals, which are the very foundation of this ecosystem. Hence, improving these wetlands associated with the GBR is of utmost importance, and a thorough understanding of the range and quantity of pesticides entering these wetlands is necessary.
Tick one or two UN SDGs you think this article relates to or addresses. You do not need to choose more than two.
Goal 1 No poverty
Goal 2 Zero hunger
Goal 3 Good health and well-being
Goal 4 Quality education
Goal 5 Gender equality
Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation
Goal 7 Affordable and clean energy
Goal 8 Decent work and economic growth
Goal 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Goal 10 Reduced inequalities
Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
Goal 13 Climate action
Goal 14 Life below water
Goal 15 Life on land
Goal 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
Goal 17 Partnership for the goals
You have found a related article by searching the UTS Library databases. Give the reference for this secondary article using APA7 referencing style.
Major Findings
Adame, M. F., Arthington, A. H., Waltham, N., Hasan, S., Selles, A., & Ronan, M. (2019). Managing threats and restoring wetlands within catchments of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Aquatic Conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems, 29(5), pp. 829-839. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3096
Explain why you selected this secondary article. In your answer, you need to justify your reasons by referring to the aims, approach, findings, and significance of your chosen article. Use complete sentences and structured paragraphs.
I chose this article as my secondary article because this article further focuses on the managing the threats posed to the wetlands in the GBRCA and focus on the restoration of these wetlands to their original state.
The study reviews the status of the wetlands in the catchments of GBR, analyse threats and values of these wetlands. Moreover, the study also focuses on the management of these wetlands and the ways to protect them. It also aims to identify the opportunities and challenges coming in the process of their rehabilitation and restoration.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the researchers compiled the data related to the status as well as the threats posed to these wetlands from the reports of Environment Protection Agency. This agency assesses changes in the catchments of GBR in every four years. Moreover, the researchers have also used the data of Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. Further, the article analyses the threats on these wetlands, like pollution, invasive species, climate change, changes occurring in hydrological connectivity using the previously conducted research. Thereafter, it assesses the management as well as protection of these wetlands by assessing the effectiveness of various government-run programs and the laws protecting these wetlands. The article also focuses on the restoration activities currently going on for these wetlands and identifies the opportunities and challenges by considering the ground situation.
This study is significant as it is based on the already conducted research as well as takes into account the ground situation of the region concerned. The study is also important as it focuses on the restoration and rehabilitation of a region which is crucial for the health of the Great Barrier Reef. Moreover, it must be noted that GBR is a region that is very rich in biodiversity and is acknowledged as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
The study concludes that the wetlands located in the catchment of GBR face numerous challenges in terms of management. It was also found that in past few years, wetlands were managed especially for improving the quality of water released to GBR. However, it is necessary to ensure that their contribution is integrated in strategies and management models. The article also concludes that future efforts must be in the direction of managing, rehabilitating, and restoring the wetlands for their broader contribution. This will be crucial in maintaining an overall healthy ecosystem in the Great Barrier Reef as well as in its catchment area.
Having read both the primary and secondary articles, identify and explain how the research in the articles relates to or addresses the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) you chose above.
Support your answer with information from the journal articles. Remember to provide in-text citations (using APA7 referencing style) when referring to information from the two articles.
Both the primary as well as secondary articles are related to three UN SDGs, which are Goals 11 and 14, these are Sustainable Cities and Communities and Life Below Water respectively (United Nations, 2020).
The UN SDG targets (United Nations, 2020) related to the above-mentioned goals that are aligned with the selected articles are
- Target 11.4 – To strengthen efforts to safeguard and protect cultural as well as natural heritage of the world.
- Target 14.2 – To sustainably protect and manage coastal and marine ecosystems to prevent any significant adverse effects, strengthen their resilience, take action to restore them and achieve productive and healthy oceans.
The primary article specifically focuses on the pollution caused by pesticides in the GBRCA region and its impact on the biodiversity of these wetlands. Moreover, it also highlights the potential risk of this pollution towards the ecologically sensitive Great Barrier Reef, which is a world heritage site. It highlights the duty of the human settlements to reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture in the GBRCA (Vandergragt et al., 2020).
The secondary article considers a range of threats to these wetlands in GBRCA, like invasive species, pollution, climate change, etc. These risks ultimately pose a great threat to the Great Barrier Reef. These threats are directly or indirectly linked to human activities (Adame et al., 2019).
In both the selected articles, threats to an environmentally important World Heritage site, the Great Barrier Reef have been discussed. In addition, both the articles highlight the importance of safeguarding and protecting this biodiversity-rich region. This is being achieved by scientifically relating the threats posed towards it due to human activities. While the first article specifically talks about the threats of pesticides in GBRCA, the second article presents a much broader picture by highlighting a range of threats. The article also highlights the challenges in the management of the wetlands in GBRCA, and restoration & rehabilitation activities currently in process to ensure a healthy ecosystem in GBRCA.
The primary article focuses on the effects of pesticides on marine life in the wetlands of GBRCA. It involves effects on bacteria, phytoplankton, protozoa, benthic algae, fungi, macrophytes, zooplankton, amphibians, fishes, etc. (Vandergragt et al., 2020).
The secondary article considers, even more, wider factors like pollution, climate change, invasive species, etc. on the marine ecosystem of the GBRCA. Moreover, it also talks about effective management, rehabilitation and restoration of these wetlands (Adame et al., 2019).
Both the articles talk about the importance of properly managing and protecting the ecologically-sensitive GBRCA region. This would help in preventing any adverse impacts on the marine ecosystem in this region. While the first article only considers the effects of Pesticides on the marine ecosystem of the GBRCA, the second article further involves the wide varying factors. The second article also talks about the rehabilitation of the ecosystems of these wetlands (Adame et al., 2019).
List any other references you referred to in your answer. (You do not need to have any other sources, and this section is not graded).
United Nations. (2020). #Envision2030: 17 goals to transform the world for persons with disabilities. un.org/development/desa/disabilities/envision2030.html
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