BIO 220 balancing preferences and biology: a post guide
Six named criteria on two sides, and a required example. Most posts answer with a principle; the example is where the marks are.
Editorial process
Last reviewed · August 10, 2026
What does this trade-off discussion require?
The prompt names six specific criteria and then asks for an example, and the example is where this post is won or lost. On the human side sit aesthetics, utility and cost. On the biological side sit biodiversity, ecological authenticity and evolutionary potential. A post that answers with a general principle about balance has not engaged with any of the six, and the second sentence of the prompt closes that escape route by requiring a worked example. So decide early what your example will be, and pick something concrete enough that the six criteria actually pull in different directions in it. Restoration projects, urban planting schemes, invasive species removal and river management all work well, because in each of them somebody has had to make the decision the prompt is asking you about and has left a record of what they chose.
The three biological terms are not synonyms and using them precisely is the fastest way to show you read the material. Biodiversity is the number and variety of species and genetic variation present. Ecological authenticity is about whether a system resembles what would be there without human intervention, in composition and in function, which is a different question from whether it is diverse. Evolutionary potential is the capacity of populations to keep adapting, which depends on genetic variation, population size and connectivity, and it is the one almost every post omits. Note that these three can conflict with each other: a planting scheme using many ornamental species scores well on species count and badly on authenticity, and a small isolated reserve can hold high diversity today with very little evolutionary potential for the future, because the populations in it are too small and too cut off to keep adapting. Saying that out loud is the clearest evidence that you have read the terms rather than skimmed them.
The human criteria conflict among themselves too, and saying so lifts the analysis. Aesthetics and ecological function frequently diverge, which is why mown grass and neat single-species planting are popular and support very little. Utility can align with biology or oppose it depending on which use you mean, since a wetland retained for flood control serves both while the same land drained for building serves one. Cost is the criterion that decides most real cases and it is the one students most often leave out, so include it: restoration is expensive, native planting can cost more to establish and less to maintain, and a scheme that is never funded protects nothing at all. Treating cost as a constraint rather than as an enemy of conservation is also more accurate, since most of the successful projects you could cite were designed around a budget rather than in spite of one.
Now give the example and work the criteria through it rather than around it. Take an urban park being replanted. The aesthetic preference is for lawn, ornamental flowering trees and clear sightlines. Utility wants space for sport and events. Cost favours whatever is cheapest to establish and mow. Biodiversity favours structural variety, native species and messier margins. Authenticity favours the plant community that would occupy that soil and climate unmanaged. Evolutionary potential favours larger populations connected to others outside the park. Then propose a resolution: zone the space, so the areas people use most are managed for them and the margins and corridors are managed biologically, which is a real technique rather than a compromise in the abstract. Zoning works precisely because the six criteria do not have to be satisfied at every square metre, only across the site as a whole, and noticing that is the analytical move this question is looking for.
The balance you propose should have a principle behind it, and there are several defensible ones to choose from. You can prioritise irreversibility, on the grounds that a lost species cannot be recovered while an unattractive planting can be replanted. You can prioritise function over composition, accepting a system that does not look authentic if it delivers the services required. You can zone, as above, rather than compromising everywhere. Or you can prioritise connectivity, on the grounds that evolutionary potential depends on it and that it is the criterion hardest to retrofit. Name your principle, because the question asks how you would balance these things, which is a request for a decision rule rather than for a list of considerations. A rule is also portable: if yours could be applied to a different site and produce a different answer, it is a rule, and if it only describes what you did in your example, it is a description.
On mechanics, keep to your course's length and source requirements for an initial post, and cite at least one source that treats these trade-offs concretely rather than one that argues for nature in general. Be wary of the temptation to resolve everything in favour of biology; the question includes cost and utility because real decisions do, and a post that dismisses them has answered an easier question than the one asked. If replies to peers are graded, the strongest reply here is to take somebody's example and ask which of the six criteria their proposal actually sacrifices, since every real balance sacrifices something and naming it is the honest part. It is also the reply most likely to get a useful answer back, because it asks about the proposal rather than about the topic.
Likely learning objectives
Inferred from the brief — check these against your own rubric.
- 01Define biodiversity, ecological authenticity and evolutionary potential as distinct criteria.
- 02Show that the biological criteria can conflict with each other.
- 03Include cost, which most answers omit.
- 04Work all six criteria through one concrete example.
- 05State a decision rule rather than a general preference for balance.
- 06Name what the proposed balance sacrifices.
Read the full question
Review every instruction before using the planning guidance that follows.
Course-wide instructions that accompany this question
Important information for writing discussion questions and participation Hi Class, Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts. Contact me if you have any questions. Important information on Writing a Discussion Question Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references) There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article. Include in-text citations in your response Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information Follow APA-7th edition Points will be deducted if the above is not followed Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor A minimum of 6 responses per week, on at least 3 days of the week. Each response needs at least ONE reference with citations—best if it is a peer reviewed journal article Each response needs to be at least 75 words in length (does not include your list of references) Responses need to be substantive by bringing information to the discussion or further enhance the discussion. Responses of “I agree” or “great post” does not count for the word count. Follow APA 7th edition Points will be deducted if the above is not followed Remember to use and follow APA-7th edition for all weekly assignments, discussion questions, and participation points. Here are some helpful links Student paper example Citing Sources The Writing Center is a great resource Welcome to class Hello class and welcome to the class and I will be your instructor for this course. This is a -week course and requires a lot of time commitment, organization, and a high level of dedication. Please use the class syllabus to guide you through all the assignments required for the course. I have also attached the classroom policies to this announcement to know your expectations for this course. Please review this document carefully and ask me any questions if you do. You could email me at any time or send me a message via the “message” icon in halo if you need to contact me. I check my email regularly, so you should get a response within 24 hours. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours and need to contact me urgently, please send a follow up text to. I strongly encourage that you do not wait until the very last minute to complete your assignments. Your assignments in weeks 4 and 5 require early planning as you would need to present a teaching plan and interview a community health provider. I advise you look at the requirements for these assignments at the beginning of the course and plan accordingly. I have posted the YouTube link that explains all the class assignments in detail. It is required that you watch this 32-minute video as the assignments from week 3 through 5 require that you follow the instructions to the letter to succeed. Failure to complete these assignments according to instructions might lead to a zero. After watching the video, please schedule a one-on-one with me to discuss your topic for your project by the second week of class. Use this link to schedule a 15-minute session. Please, call me at the time of your appointment on my number. Please note that I will NOT call you. Please, be advised I do NOT accept any assignments by email. If you are having technical issues with uploading an assignment, contact the technical department and inform me of the issue. If you have any issues that would prevent you from getting your assignments to me by the deadline, please inform me to request a possible extension. Note that working fulltime or overtime is no excuse for late assignments. There is a 5%-point deduction for every day your assignment is late. This only applies to approved extensions. Late assignments will not be accepted. If you think you would be needing accommodations due to any reasons, please contact the appropriate department to request accommodations. Plagiarism is highly prohibited. Please ensure you are citing your sources correctly using APA 7th edition. All assignments including discussion posts should be formatted in APA with the appropriate spacing, font, margin, and indents. Any papers not well formatted would be returned back to you, hence, I advise you review APA formatting style. I have attached a sample paper in APA format and will also post sample discussion responses in subsequent announcements. Your initial discussion post should be a minimum of 200 words and response posts should be a minimum of 150 words. Be advised that I grade based on quality and not necessarily the number of words you post. A minimum of TWO references should be used for your initial post. For your response post, you do not need references as personal experiences would count as response posts. If you however cite anything from the literature for your response post, it is required that you cite your reference. You should include a minimum of THREE references for papers in this course. Please note that references should be no more than 5 years old except recommended as a resource for the class. Furthermore, for each discussion board question, you need ONE initial substantive response and TWO substantive responses to either your classmates or your instructor for a total of THREE responses. There are TWO discussion questions each week, hence, you need a total minimum of SIX discussion posts for each week. I usually post a discussion question each week. You could also respond to these as it would count towards your required SIX discussion posts for the week. I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receive strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course! Exit Grid View List View Excellent Point range: 90–100 Good Point range: 80–89 Fair Point range: 70–79 Poor Point range: 0–69 In 4 or 5 sentences, describe the anatomy of the basic unit of the nervous sytem, the neuron. Include each part of the neuron and a general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Be specific and provide examples. 12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%) The response accurately and clearly describes in detail the anatomy of the neuron. The response accurately and clearly describes in detail each part of the neuron, and it includes a detailed explanation of the general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Examples fully support the response provided. 11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%) The response accurately describes the anatomy of the neuron. The response accurately describes each part of the neuron, and it includes a general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Examples support the response provided. 10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%) The response provides an inaccurate or vague description of the anatomy of the neuron. The response inaccurately or vaguely describes each part of the neuron, and it includes an inaccurate or vague overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Examples vaguely support the response provided. 0 (0%) – 9 (12%) The response provides an inaccurate or incomplete description of the anatomy of the neuron, or is missing. The response inaccurately or incompletely describes each part of the neuron, and it includes an inaccurate or vague overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse, or is missing. Examples do not support the response provided, or is missing. Answer the following (listing is acceptable for these questions): a. What are the major components that make up the subcortical structures? b. Which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction? c. What are the two key neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control? 12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%) The response accurately and clearly details the major components that make up the subcortical structures. The response accurately and clearly details which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction. The response accurately and clearly identifies the two neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control. 11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%) The response accurately identifies the major components that make up the subcortical structures. The response accurately identifies which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction. The response accurately identifies the two neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control. 10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%) The response inaccurately identifies the major components that make up the subcortical structures. The response inaccurately identifies which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction. The response inaccurately identifies two neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control. 0 (0%) – 9 (12%) The response inaccurately and incompletely identifies the major components that make up the subcortical structures, or is missing. The response inaccurately and incompletely identifies which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction, or is missing. The response inaccurately and incompletely identifies two neurotransmitters in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control, or is missing. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Be specific and provide examples. 12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%) The response accurately and clearly explains in detail how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Examples fully support the response provided. 11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%) The response accurately explains how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Examples support the response provided. 10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%) The response inaccurately or vaguely explains how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Examples inaccurately or vaguely support the response provided. 0 (0%) – 9 (12%) The response inaccurately and vaguely explains how glia cells function in the central nervous system, or is missing. Examples do not support the response provided, or is missing. The synapse is an area between two neurons that allows for chemical communication. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain what part of the neurons are communicating with each other and in which direction does this communication occur? Be specific. 12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%) The response accurately and clearly explains in detail the part of the neurons that communicate with each other and the direction in which this communication occurs. 11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%) The response accurately explains the part of the neurons that communicate with each other and the direction in which this communication occurs. 10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%) The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the part of the neurons that communicate with each other and the direction in which this communication occurs. 0 (0%) – 9 (12%) The response inaccurately and vaguely explains the part of the neurons that communicate with each other and the direction in which this communication occurs, or is missing. In 3–5 sentences, explain the concept of “neuroplasticity.” Be specific and provide examples. 12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%) The response accurately and clearly explains in detail the concept of neuroplasticity. Examples provided fully support the response provided. 11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%) The response accurately explains the concept of neuroplasticity. Examples provided support the response provided. 10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%) The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the concept of neuroplasticity. Examples inaccurately or vaguely support the response provided. 0 (0%) – 9 (12%) The response inaccurately and vaguely explains the concept of neuroplasticity, or is missing. Examples do not support the response provided, or is missing. Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation 5 (6.67%) – 5 (6.67%) Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors. 4 (5.33%) – 4 (5.33%) Contains a few (1 or 2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 3.5 (4.67%) – 3.5 (4.67%) Contains several (3 or 4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 0 (0%) – 2 (2.67%) Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding. Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, 5 (6.67%) – 5 (6.67%) Uses correct APA format with no errors. 4 (5.33%) – 4 (5.33%) Contains a few (1 or 2) APA format errors. 3.5 (4.67%) – 3.5 (4.67%) Contains several (3 or 4) APA format errors. 0 (0%) – 2 (2.67%) Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors. parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. Total Points: 75
Six criteria and one worked example
- 01An explanation of how you would balance the human and biological considerations named.
- 02An example of how you would achieve that balance.
- 03Any sources your course requires for an initial post.
Definitions, conflicts, the example, the rule
The six criteria
Define each briefly, particularly the three biological ones, and note that they are not interchangeable.
Where they conflict
Show conflicts within each side as well as between the two sides.
The worked example
Take one concrete site or project and say what each criterion would favour there.
The resolution
Propose a balance with a stated decision rule, such as irreversibility, function over composition, zoning or connectivity.
What is given up
State which criterion your proposal sacrifices and why that is acceptable.
Where the trade-off evidence sits
Recommended databases
- PubMed Central for restoration ecology and ecosystem service trade-off research
- The IUCN Red List, for what connectivity and population size mean in practice
- Municipal or agency management plans for a real site, which state their own criteria
- Your course textbook chapter on conservation and management
Search sequence
- 1.Choose the example first, ideally a real project whose plan you can read.
- 2.Look up evolutionary potential and note what it actually depends on.
- 3.Find one study where a management choice traded diversity against authenticity or cost.
- 4.Check what the project you chose actually did, and whether it names its own trade-offs.
- 5.Decide your decision rule before writing, since the whole post organises around it.
Reference shortlist
These are authoritative starting points, not a ready-made bibliography. A qualified reviewer must confirm that each source fits the assignment and supports the claim beside which it is cited.
Nothing here is cleared for citation until you have read it.
- 01
Ecosystem services and agriculture: tradeoffs and synergies
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B · 2010
Treats the trade-off explicitly rather than assuming it resolves one way. A good model for how to structure a balance argument.
- 02
Optimal restoration for pollination services increases forest cover while doubling agricultural profits
PubMed Central · 2023
A case where the biological and the economic criteria align rather than conflict, which is worth citing so your post is not only about tension.
- 03
Balancing Inbreeding and Outbreeding Risks to Inform Translocations Throughout the Range of an Imperiled Darter
PubMed Central · 2025
Shows evolutionary potential being managed in practice, which is the criterion most posts cannot say anything concrete about.
- 04
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
International Union for Conservation of Nature · 2025
Assessments record population size, fragmentation and trend, which is where the connectivity argument for evolutionary potential gets its evidence.
Review before submission
Common mistakes
- Answering with a general principle and no example, when an example is required.
- Treating biodiversity, authenticity and evolutionary potential as one idea.
- Omitting evolutionary potential entirely.
- Leaving cost out of the human side.
- Choosing an example where the criteria do not actually conflict.
- Resolving every tension in favour of biology, which avoids the question.
- Describing considerations without stating a decision rule.
Submission checklist
- All six named criteria appear.
- The three biological criteria are defined distinctly.
- At least one conflict among the biological criteria is described.
- Cost is addressed.
- One concrete example runs through all six criteria.
- A decision rule is stated and named.
- What the proposed balance gives up is acknowledged.
Use this guide to plan and review your own work. Follow your institution's rules and read our academic-integrity policy.
Written by
Aaron Bishop
MA, Education
assignment interpretation and research-methods coaching across disciplines
Aaron leads the EssayCrackers editorial desk. He works on how assignment briefs are read — what a rubric is actually asking for, and where students most often answer a different question than the one set.
Reviewed by
Dr. Nathan Cole
PhD, Rhetoric & Composition
Argumentation and thesis development
Nathan teaches first-year composition and directs a university writing center. He reviews EssayCrackers guides for argumentative soundness and citation accuracy.