nature’s survival strategies follow three principles of sustainability
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Nature’s Survival Strategies Follow Three Principles of Sustainability. Reliance on solar energy The sun provides warmth and fuels photosynthesis Biodiversity Astounding variety and adaptability of natural systems and species Chemical cycling - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Nature’s Survival Strategies Follow Three Principles of Sustainability
1. Reliance on solar energy• The sun provides warmth and fuels photosynthesis
2. Biodiversity• Astounding variety and adaptability of natural
systems and species
3. Chemical cycling• Circulation of chemicals from the environment to
organisms and then back to the environment• Also called nutrient cycling
We rely on solar energy
Ok, Ok, there are some insignificant exceptions*
Where do “closed systems” like fish tanks get their energy?
Where do “closed systems” like fish tanks get their energy?
Nature’s Survival Strategies Follow Three Principles of Sustainability
1. Reliance on solar energy• The sun provides warmth and fuels photosynthesis
2. Biodiversity• Astounding variety and adaptability of natural
systems and species
3. Chemical cycling• Circulation of chemicals from the environment to
organisms and then back to the environment• Also called nutrient cycling
Diversity Makes a System Stronger
Diversity allows natural systems to function since every player has a particular role. When one player drops out or is unable to fulfill its role AND if there is no other player around to step in, system function is compromised.
Diversity Makes a System Stronger
Beginning in 1890s, and booming after WWII Detroit was one of the manufacturing capitals in America. However, with dramatic decreases in manufacturing demand brought on in part by cheaper production overseas, today Detroit has been considered a “collapsed city”.
Diversity Makes a System Stronger
Beginning in 1890s, and booming after WWII Detroit was one of the manufacturing capitals in America. However, with dramatic decreases in manufacturing demand brought on in part by cheaper production overseas, today Detroit has been considered a “collapsed city”.
Panarchy Cycle
Uh oh!
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Costa Rica.
Corn Farm US
Nature’s Survival Strategies Follow Three Principles of Sustainability
1. Reliance on solar energy• The sun provides warmth and fuels photosynthesis
2. Biodiversity• Astounding variety and adaptability of natural
systems and species
3. Chemical cycling• Circulation of chemicals from the environment to
organisms and then back to the environment• Also called nutrient cycling
Nutrient Cycling
Fig. 1-5, p. 10
Nutrient Cycling
Fig. 1-5, p. 10
1-1 What Are Three Principles of Sustainability?
• Concept 1-1A Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar energy, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling.
• Concept 1-1B Our lives and economies depend on energy from the sun and on natural resources and natural services (natural capital) provided by the earth.
Sustainability Has Certain Key Components
• Natural capital: supported by solar capital• Natural resources: useful materials and energy in nature• Natural services: important nature processes such as renewal of
air, water, and soil
• Humans degrade and rely on natural capital
• Scientific solutions needed for environmental sustainability
Sustainability Has Certain Key Components
• Natural capital: supported by solar capital• Natural resources: useful materials and energy in nature• Natural services: important nature processes such as renewal of
air, water, and soil
• Humans degrade and rely on natural capital
• Scientific solutions needed for environmental sustainability
Ecosystem Services
Natural CapitalSolar
energy
Air
Air purification
Climate control
UV protection (ozone layer) Life
(biodiversity)
Water Population control
Pest controlWaste treatment
Nonrenewable minerals
(iron, sand)
Soil Land
Soil renewal Food productionNatural gas Nutrient
recycling
Nonrenewable energy
(fossil fuels)
Coal seam
Natural resources
Natural services
Oil
Natural Capital = Natural Resources + Natural Services
Renewable energy (sun, wind, water
flows)
Water purification
Fig. 1-4, p. 9
Ecosystem Services
Natural CapitalSolar
energy
Air
Air purification
Climate control
UV protection (ozone layer) Life
(biodiversity)
Water Population control
Pest controlWaste treatment
Nonrenewable minerals
(iron, sand)
Soil Land
Soil renewal Food productionNatural gas Nutrient
recycling
Nonrenewable energy
(fossil fuels)
Coal seam
Natural resources
Natural services
Oil
Natural Capital = Natural Resources + Natural Services
Renewable energy (sun, wind, water
flows)
Water purification
Fig. 1-4, p. 9
Ecosystem Services
Natural Capital and Natural Resources are now “Ecosystem Services”
Old way of thinking: Ecosystem Goods• Raw materials provided
by nature• Essential inputs into all
economic production• We can use them up as
fast as we like• If I use it, you can't• Competition for use
• Market goods• Ecosystem structure,
building blocks of ecosystems
Ecosystem Services
• Structure generates function• Ecosystem functions of value
to humans known as ecosystem services
• Includes life support and human well-being functions
On Tuesday
Tuesday•Finished discussion on Sustainability•3 principles of sustainability•Panarchy •Natural Capital Ecosystem ServicesToday•3 types of ecosystem services (or 4?)
Greywater
Desalinization
Factors that determine the costs for desalination include capacity and type of facility, location, feed water, labor, energy, financing, and concentrate disposal. Desalination stills now control pressure, temperature and brine concentrations to optimize efficiency.
Panarchy
Panarchy is a conceptual term first coined by the Belgian philosopher, economist, and botanist Paul Emile de Puydt in 1860, referring to a specific form of governance (-Archie) that would encompass (pan-) all others.
Panarchy
Panarchy is a conceptual term first coined by the Belgian philosopher, economist, and botanist Paul Emile de Puydt in 1860, referring to a specific form of governance (-Archie) that would encompass (pan-) all others.
Panarchy: Understanding Transformations in Systems of Humans and Nature also simultaneously coined the term, saying: The term [panarchy] was coined as an antithesis to the word hierarchy (literally, sacred rules). Our view is that panarchy is a framework of nature's rules, hinted at by the name of the Greek god of nature, Pan. (CS “Buzz” Holling)
1. Provisioning Services
• Production of food, fuel, fiber (regeneration of structure)
• Food (fish)• Food (crops)• Materials for clothes
(fur, leather)• Building materials
(Tiber)
2. Regulatory Services
• Water regulation• Disturbance reg• Erosion control• Soil creation • Pollination• Climate regulation• Nutrient cycling• Biological control• Waste absorption• etc.
3. Cultural Services
• Recreation, tourism• Forests: jobs for
2,393 Vermont • Annual payrolls of
$33 million annually• Scenery• Cultural attachments• Surfing
Supporting Services (kind of?)
• Habitat• Refugia• Without
biodiversity, there are no other services
When making decisions about ecosystem services, there are trade-offs
There is still a lot to figure out about ecosystem services
• What services are most managed?• How are they managed? By whom?• Where are they managed? Who benefits?• Are there environmental polices that specifically deal with
ecosystem services?
Surveyed 250 environmental managers on the local, state, and federal levels (both gov’t and NGOs)
There is still a lot to figure out about ecosystem services
• What services are most managed?• How are they managed? By whom?• Where are they managed? Who benefits?• Are there environmental polices that specifically deal with
ecosystem services?
Surveyed 250 environmental managers on the local, state, and federal levels (both gov’t and NGOs)
I lived here.
Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems
38
Management is researching, monitoring, making decisions, and/or providing outreach or education
Provisional BenefitsCultural Benefits
Ecosystem Services in Literature
If Eco Services are so important, what services are we managing?
If Eco Services are so important, what services are we managing?
If Eco Services are so important, why are we managing them?
At what scale are we
managing them and who
benefits?
Fig. 1-6, p. 10
Habitat, Nutrient Cycling, Maintaining Genetic Diversity, Disease Control, Cultural Significance, etc.(Brazil 1992-2008)
Food production
When making decisions about ecosystem services, there are trade-offs
How do we not imbalance these cycles and move toward more sustainable
outcomes?
Such as simple thing….but pretty important
• As a way to decrease the rate of natural capital degradation…
Such as simple thing….but pretty important
• As a way to decrease the rate of natural capital degradation…
Increased consumption has had a significant impact on the environment which was driven by a number of factors…
Post WWII 2 things significantly impacted resource consumption
First, there were more people (and more people consume more than fewer people).
After World War II, consumer spending no longer meant just satisfying an indulgent material desire. In fact, the American consumer was praised as a patriotic citizen in the 1950s, contributing to the ultimate success of the American way of life. "The good purchaser devoted to 'more, newer and better' was the good citizen," historian Lizabeth Cohen explained, "since economic recovery after a decade and a half of depression and war depended on a dynamic mass consumption economy."
The birth of the suburb!
The birth of the suburb!
growthconsumption
Reuse
Fig. 1-7, p. 11
Reuse
Fig. 1-7, p. 11
Recycle
Fig. 1-8, p. 12
Scientists estimate that we could recycle and reuse 80–90% of the resources that we now use and thus come closer to mimicking the way nature recycles essentially everything. Recycling is important but it involves dealing with wastes we have produced. Ideally, we should focus more on using less, reusing items, and reducing our unnecessary waste of resources.