Deer Population Decline Essay

While the decline of arctic deer populations would be quite tragic, the evidence presented in support of it is inadequate, and further proof is required to evaluate the stated claim. It is important to take whatever action is required to maintain the deer population, but first we must ascertain whether they are actually on the decline.

Local hunter reports are sufficient to launch a preliminary investigation, but do not provide substantial confirmation of the deer's plight. Rather, a census is required to investigate how the deer population is actually changing. If the census proves they are really on the decline, this might provide some support to the claim that global warming is affecting their population, but not to the reason behind this
claim.

We must also ascertain whether global warming has disrupted the deers' migration pattern. Is the ice melted throughout the year due to a rise in temperatures, thus making it impossible for the deers to traverse the sea between islands?
Supposing we find this is not true, rather that global warming has simply reduced the time period over which the ice is frozen, or had no effect whatsover, this would weaken the argument that the deer's migration patterns have changed, and hence we cannot attribute the decline in population to migration.

Perhaps the deer population has been affected by another factor, such as a rise in predators on the island, or a lack of food, leading to their decline. If evidence of another factor in the deers' purported decline was presented, this would also significantly weaken the central argument, since the conclusion that the decline in population is due to the disruption of pattern may be only partly valid, or not valid at all. The various factors to the population decline, and their relative impact, must be ascertained to properly evaluate this conclusion.

Lastly, we should also question whether migration patterns play a huge role in the deers' lives. Perhaps there is enough to sustain the population on each island, and thus being unable to move to another island across the frozen sea might have little impact on their decline. If we observe that arctic deers are able to live their whole lives on any of the islands, with only minimal or no loss
in life quality, this would be a significant counterpoint to the stated argument.

Whether deer populations are on the decline, and what is the main reason for this decline if it exists, remains open to questioning until further evidence is presented to support or oppose the argument. The scale of decline, of disruption to migration, the presence of other factors detrimental to the deer population, and the effect of migration patterns on the deer's lives must all be ascertained before this conclusion can be confirmed. If it is indeed true, we must take whatever action is best to control this decline.