What is an ECOSYSTEM? An area where living (biotic) and

non-living (abiotic) things interact through energy flows.

Biotic: a fancy word for living thing (plants and

animals)Abiotic:

a fancy word for non-living things

Every ecosystem has the same 4 abiotic, or non-living things.

We’ll refer to these as The L.A.W.S

What are the non-living things in an ecosystem?

The L.A.W.S

LANDAIRWATERSUNLIGHT

What is an ecosystem?

What are the LAWS?

What do the words biotic and abiotic mean?

Chat with your table about your answers to last night’s homework.

If the non-living things in two ecosystems are different, then the living things will be different. Yes? No? Defend your answer.

Let’s talk about #6, 7,8 and 9 from your homework…

What do these words mean? “Green” SustainableEfficient

What does all this have to do with our project?

Urban: CityAn urban area is an

area with an increased density of human-created structures.

Ecology: The study of ecosystems.

So what’s Urban Ecology?The study of urban

ecosystems! How biotic (especially

humans) and abiotic things interact in cities.

How urban development effects the environment.

Creating environmentally sustainable urban areas.

General Definition: Able to maintain at a certain level indefinitely.

Non-mumbo jumbo: Using stuff so it doesn’t run out.

Example Sentences: Circle breathing is a technique used by

musicians to sustain notes indefinitely. On my salary it is not sustainable for me to eat

at expensive restaurants every night. We can sustain the turning of a hydro generator

as long as the water source is flowing. Using fossil fuels at our current rate is not

sustainable.

SUSTAINABILITY: A method of using a resource so it will not be

depleted. Human activity that uses nature's resources at

a rate at which they can be replenished naturally.

Non-mumbojumbo: using stuff so it doesn’t run out.

General Definition: Capable of producing desired results especially without waste.

Non-mumbojumbo: NOT wasting time, energy, money etc.

Example Sentences: Molly is always on task and meets deadlines.

She is an overall efficient worker.A bicycle is an efficient machine that uses

minimal human energy to create movement. Replacing ball bearings in a skate board

maximizes efficiency. With new ball bearings the rider uses less energy to create motion.

It is inefficient to turn on your air conditioner and leave windows and doors open.

EFFiCIENCY: Not wasting time or energy. The ratio of the useful energy delivered by a

machine compared to the energy needed to operate it.

In other words: Efficiency = useful energy delivered energy needed to operate

Green Building is SUSTAINABLE and EFFICIENT building!

More specifically Green Building is…The practice of increasing the efficiency

with which buildings use resources — energy, water and materials.

Reducing building impacts on human health and the environment.

Use of natural materialsEfficiency On-site generation of renewable energyReduce environmental and human health

impactReduce waste (during building and during

inhabitance)

Solar power (photovoltaic) and solar thermalPassive solar design Green roofingPermeable surface use (reduction of rainwater run off/

renewing groundwater sources)Grey water collection and recyclingCompost toiletsStraw baleCobCordwoodAdobeEarthshipBambooPermaculture

Biodiesel as a fuel/ Converting cars to use itHybrid carsElectric carsEthanol as fuelHydrogen Fuel Cells

According to the Worldwide Institute, building demolition, construction and renovation constitutes as much as 40% of raw material use, 40% of materials sent to landfills, and buildings consume as much as 40% of energy generated.

Why else? Who cares?

Awesome straw bale and cob example: http://www.potkettleblack.com/natbild/sarahtree/index.htm

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