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Suminoe Oysters Redux

A Continuing Case of Environmental Rehabilitation

By Matthew L. Simon

Suminoe Oysters Redux


 

Abstract

This case study serves as an extension to another case study originally published in 2006, “Can Suminoe Oysters Save Chesapeake Bay?” The original case provides students with a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of resource management. After completing it, students engage with the extension case to explore what has happened to the watershed since then. Students assess whether the restoration activities that have been implemented to date have been successful and speculate on the future of the ecosystem. This case was developed for an introductory, non-majors undergraduate environmental science course that is taught both in-person and online, but it could easily be incorporated into ecology units in biology, landscape management, bioethics, political science, and other social science courses that deal with examining human impacts on various ecological systems.

   

Date Posted

04/19/2024

Overview

Objectives

  • Develop research skills to find scientific and popular press articles from reputable sources, regarding environmental issues.
  • Critically analyze data from diverse sources.
  • Synthesize information from various sources into a cohesive written narrative.
  • Understand that introducing non-native species is risky and may lead to unintended consequences for people and our ecosystems.
  • Understand that human and natural systems are linked.
  • Understand that functioning aquatic systems rely on healthy watersheds.
  • Understand that restoration of natural ecosystems is challenging and competing human interests makes it difficult.

Keywords

Watershed restoration; keystone species; invasive species; policy decisions; ecosystems; Chesapeake Bay; oysters

  

Subject Headings

Aquaculture
Biology (General)
Ecology
Environmental Science
Interdisciplinary Sciences
Marine Science / Oceanography
Natural Resource Management
Wildlife Management

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division, Graduate

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

Policy issues; Regulatory issues

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Analysis/Issues, Dilemma/Decision, Discussion, Public Hearing

 

 

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