TPO20

The author of the reading passage and the professor both discuss "let it burn" policy. The author mentions that this policy was the main reason of forest fires in Yellowstone in the summer of 1988. However, the professor discords with the ideas mentioned in the reading passage. He offers several reasons to oppose the argument of this article.

First of all, although in the article the author claims that trees were charred and blackened from flames and smoke and smaller plants were entirely incinerated, the professor indicates that forest was colonized by other new plants, if these plants were destroyed by a massive fire, this forest would have a new place taken over by other smaller plants. Moreover, some kinds of plants won't germinate unless they are exposed in a high level heat. Therefore, the professor actually believes that this fire would give an opportunity to smaller plants needing an open and unshaded area to grow.

Second, even though the author states that this fire caused the destruction of habitats and the disruption of food chains, the professor mentions that this fire would create an ideal habitat for some small animals because some original trees were replaced, like rabbit. Moreover, if these , other predatory of rabbits will come to this forest, and a strong enough food chain will be formed.

Finally, while the author of the article indicates the fires will have negative consequences for the local economy, the professor can conclude that there were several conditions causing the fire in Yellowstone park in 1988, like decreasing rainfall and stronger wind. Because these weather conditions are unusual, the massive fires will not happen in each years. As a result, the professor contends that visitors will come back in the next year of 1988.