Conservationist: To prevent the local extinction of the endangered Karner blue butterfly, we must introduce controlled burns in the Pine Barrens to restore their natural open-canopy habitat. While critics warn that these fires will initially destroy some Karner blue larvae, the species relies exclusively on wild lupine for oviposition, and wild lupine seeds require fire-induced clearing to germinate and thrive. Thus, initiating a regimen of controlled burns will ultimately ensure a larger, more stable population of Karner blue butterflies in the Pine Barrens.
Which of the following are necessary assumptions on which the conservationist's argument depends? (Select all that apply)
- The initial mortality of Karner blue larvae caused by the controlled burns will not be so severe as to render the population incapable of subsequent recovery and expansion.Cevap
- The size of the Karner blue butterfly population in the Pine Barrens is currently restricted, at least in part, by a lack of available wild lupine.Cevap
- CControlled burns are the only viable method for facilitating the germination of wild lupine seeds in the Pine Barrens.
- DAll butterfly species that rely on fire-dependent flora for reproduction will experience population growth following controlled burns.
- EThe controlled burns will eliminate invasive plant species that currently compete with wild lupine for soil nutrients.
Cevap
The two correct assumptions are that the initial larvae mortality will not prevent recovery, and that the population is currently restricted by a lack of wild lupine.
The argument relies on two critical logical bridges. First, it acknowledges a drawback (larvae destruction) but concludes long-term success. For this to hold, the short-term damage cannot be terminal (a 'Defender' assumption). Second, the argument assumes that providing more wild lupine will increase the butterfly population, which logically requires that a shortage of wild lupine is currently holding the population back (a 'Supporter' assumption).
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Anahtar Kavram
Identifying necessary assumptions requires finding unstated premises that the argument strictly depends on, either by bridging a gap between evidence and conclusion (Supporter) or by ruling out a potential obstacle that would ruin the plan (Defender).