Leander C.

Creer 2018-08006 ENS 101

Activity 1
Interconnectedness and Systems Thinking

1. Before WHO intervention (Malaria Outbreak)

Parasitic Wasp

predation

predation
predation
Mosquito

Thatch-eating caterpillars
predation

Gecko
Fly
predation
Rat
predation

Cat
 After Initial WHO Intervention for Malaria Outbreak (Spraying of DDT)

DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane)
Mosquito

Cause of death
Cause of death
Consumption

Fly (contains toxic DDT)

Parasitic Wasp
Gecko (contains toxic DDT from fly)

Increased reproduction
predation
(due to wasp deaths)

Rat (survived
Increased
and spread
mortality
Thatch-eating caterpillars Increased plague)
reproduction

(due to cat
deaths)

Cat

After Operation Cat Drop (WHO intervention for the plague and increased rat population after DDT spraying)
 Parasitic Wasp

predation

predation predation
Mosquito

Thatch-eating caterpillars

predation

Gecko

Fly

predation Predation Rat

(Decreased the
number of rats
leading to the
stabilization of
the situation)

2.
A. A similar situation to the events that lead to the implementation of Operation Cat Drop is the
introduction of cane toads (Rhinella marina) in the Philippines. The cane toad which is not an endemic
species in the country was introduced in rice fields as a biological control of crop pests. Although
showing fruitful results in lessening the pests, the cane toad eventually proved itself to also be a pest
and a harmful invasive species that posed a serious threat to native species in the country.

B.

Before Introduction of Cane Toads

Rice

herbivory herbivory

herbivory

Grasshoppers Golden Apple Snail

Rice bug
After the introduction of Cane Toads in the country

Rice

Increased production Increased production

(due to pest control) (due to pest control)
Cane toad

Increased
production

(due to pest
control)

Grasshoppers Golden Apple Snail

3. B a s e dIncreased mortality o n t h e
(due to predation)
Increased mortality

(due to predation) Rice bug

Increased mortality
when it comes to (due to predation) making
solutions for particular
problems. For example, in
both situations, the
solutions only focused on
solving one problem without taking into
account the possible effects and outcome of the chosen
solution. Since the WHO and the government of the country
did not understand the interrelatedness of the
various elements in the environment, the solutions that were employed caused more problems
and lead to unintended consequences. If science and systems thinking were incorporated
correctly in making solutions, they could have made a decision that took into account how
there are various elements in a system, and with careful deliberation, they could make sure
that the outcome would not have any adverse effects on other elements leading to further
problems. With science and systems thinking, we can approach problems differently because
now we understand that everything is not linear, and knowing about the interconnections
between various elements can help us create the best solution for the problem at hand without
disrupting the system.

References:

‌AFSM (2005). Quarterly News: Operation Cat Drop. AFSM Quarterly News. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/formerstaff/publications/qn60.pdf

Hilgris, R. (2001). Rhinella marina (Cane Toad). (Animal Diversity Web. Retirieved from
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rhinella_marina/

Mateo, J. (2019). Local frog a “hero” for farmers – study. PhilStar. Retrieved from
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/04/29/1913466/local-frog-hero-farmers-study

O’Shaughnessy, P. T. (2008). Parachuting cats and crushed eggs: The Controversy Over the Use
of DDT to Control Malaria. American Journal of Public Health, 98(11), 1940–1948.
https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2007.122523

Sandburg, K. (2018, February 18). Operation Cat Drop - Strategy Dynamics - Medium. Medium;
Strategy Dynamics. https://medium.com/strategy-dynamics/operation-cat-drop-
146555f322e3