[TOEFL/Writing] Question 1 : Preserving Torreya

 The writer and the lecturer talked about preserving Torreya. The writer mentioned it has three solutions to preserve Torreya and the lecturer argued that the three solutions are not effective.

 The first solution which the writer mentioned is to reestablish Torreya in the same region. North Florida especially has a specific microclimate which is cool and damp and a favorite of Torreya. However, the lecturer argued it could not be successful because this specific area is affected by large regions. Moreover, because of global warming, this area is dryier than before and it is hard to survive for Torreya.

 The second solution that the writer mentioned is to move Torreya to another location. The scientists tried to reestablish Torreya further north where the location has a cool temperature and Torreya has survived in new areas. However, the lecturer mentioned a case in which humans helped the black locust trees to grow in another region. In this case, the black locust trees spread quickly and killed other plants, leading to thier extinction. Hence, the lecturer said that it could lead to unpredicted outcomes with other plants which live in the region originally.

 The last solution that the writer mentioned is to preserve Torreya in research centers. It could be easy fo scientists to protect, monitor, and research Torreya. On the other hand, the lecturer refuted this solution. Though scientist are able to protect it easily, Torreya could not resist disease because Torreya could not genetically diversify itself. Moreover, research centers could not keep a large population for a long time.