Ecological Studies and Interactions

• Environmental ethics is a branch of philosophy studying human interaction with the environment, emphasizing its value and our moral duty to protect it.
• Anthropocentrism prioritizes humans as most important, valuing other things only if they benefit humans; this can lead to environmental issues like climate change.
• Biocentrism believes all living things have value and deserve respect, teaching humans are part of nature and should care for all life.
• Civil engineering integrates biocentrism by designing infrastructure that minimizes harm to living organisms.
• Examples of biocentric approaches include wildlife corridors in road construction and conservation efforts protecting endangered species and promoting sustainable farming.
• Ecocentrism extends beyond biocentrism by focusing on protecting entire ecosystems, including both living and non-living things, promoting a healthy environment as more important than human needs.
• Civil engineering integrates ecocentrism by prioritizing environmental health and ecosystem stability in infrastructure projects.

Environmental Principle of Nature

• Nature knows best.
• Nature balances the ecosystem, and human interference can disrupt natural processes, causing pollution and climate change
• Understanding nature's flow is important for sustainable living, like carbon and oxygen cycles
• Eco-friendly designs and sustainable materials in civil engineering help maintain nature's balance
• All life forms are important.
• Every organism plays a critical role in the ecosystem
• The loss of even one species can create a domino effect
• Civil engineering should consider wildlife conservation when building infrastructure to preserve habitats
• Everything connects to everything else.
• Disturbances in one area affect others
• Deforestation causes soil erosion and habitat loss; river pollution affects communities.
• Proper urban planning and drainage systems in civil engineering prevent flooding and soil erosion
• Everything changes.
• Nature is constantly changing, requiring adjustment, though changes shouldn't harm nature
• Proactive environmental conservation is more important than only accepting change
• Climate-resilient designs in civil engineering are important for adapting to natural disasters and changing conditions
• Everything must go somewhere.
• Waste ends up in landfills, rivers, or oceans, thus proper disposal and recycling are important
• Limiting single-use plastics can reduce waste; the Philippines contributes significantly to global plastic pollution
• Solid waste management and recycled materials in civil engineering help reduce waste
• Earth is a finite area.
• Earth has limited resources that can be depleted if overused
• Water, forests, and minerals must be used responsibly, considering future generations
• Renewable energy and sustainable materials in civil engineering help preserve natural resources
• Nature is beautiful, and we are stewards of God's creation.
• Nature is a gift that should be protected and preserved for future generations
• Appreciation of nature leads to respect for it
• Green spaces like parks and gardens help maintain the beauty and balance of nature in cities

Additional Statements

• Civil engineering should build strong, lasting structures following nature's ways, such as buildings with strong foundations like trees with deep roots
• Water should be saved and reused in cycles.
• Waste should be reduced, and materials should be used wisely
• Safe, strong structures that benefit the environment can be built by learning from nature

The Earth's Ten Commandments

• Love and honor the Earth, as it sustains life
• Prioritize sustainability in civil engineering projects by using eco-friendly materials and designing energy-efficient buildings
• Keep each day sacred to the Earth and celebrate its seasons.
• Recognize seasonal changes and respect natural rhythms to maintain ecological balance
• Design structures to withstand natural processes like earthquakes and floods
• Do not consider thyself above other living things, nor drive them to extinction
• All living things have a role in ecological balance
• Incorporate green spaces, eco-friendly infrastructure, and wildlife corridors into designs to preserve biodiversity
• Give thanks for food to the plants and creatures that nourish thee.
• Recognize the value of plants and animals to encourage responsible consumption
• Promote food security through proper water management and urban farming
• Limit reproduction, as excessive populations burden the earth
• Design smart cities with efficient zoning, green spaces, and waste management
• Do not deplete the Earth with weapons of conflict and war
• Prioritize peace, sustainability, and projects that enhance life like hospitals and renewable energy facilities
• Do not pursue profit at the Earth's expense. Restore its damaged majesty.
• Environmental impact statements and ethical engineering are important
• Prevent ecological disasters and advocate for sustainable industry regulations
• Acknowledge environmental impacts, ensure informed/responsible consultation.
• Secure environmental clearance and community consultation for all projects
• Do not steal resources from future generations, poisoning the Earth with unsustainable processes
• Ensure generational sustainability
• Promote solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient buildings
• Practice moderation, ensuring that all may share in earth's bounty
• Minimize waste, recycle materials and adapt old structures for reuse

Levels of organizations of Nature

• The hierarchical system describes biological entities of every living organism, showing how complex systems are made of simple ones
• Ecosystem describes the interaction of every living and nonliving organism in each area
• Ecology is the scientific study of the interaction between organisms and their environment.

Levels of Ecological Study

• Organismal ecology studies how individual organisms interact with their environment, focusing on physical traits, behavior, and adaptations
• Population ecology studies how groups of the same species live and change over time; it can determine if a species is endangered
• Community Ecology: Focuses on interactions between different species, the variety of species in an area, How species are organized and interact, competition, predation
• Ecosystem Ecology: Studies the flow of energy and nutrients between organisms and their environment, producers, consumers, decomposers
• Civil Engineering and Ecology: Crucial for engineers when constructing infrastructures, must consider local impact on local wildlife and biodiversity, avoid deforestation to prevent ecological imbalance
• Biome Ecology: Is a large area with a specific climate, soil type, and organisms
• Biosphere Ecology, studies how living things interact on earth
• Behavioral Ecology focuses on animal behavior and survival strategies Considers mating, foraging, communication, and migration
• Bridge construction can design to avoid disrupting critical spawning periods for fish to allow them to continue up stream
• Conservation Ecology uses conservation principles like parks and gardens
• These green spaces protect wildlife, improve air quality, and provide people with important ecosystems.

Landscape Ecology

• Landscape Ecology is an interdisciplinary science studying relationships between ecological processes and ecosystems, focusing on landscape scales and spatial patterns
• Landscape Ecology also examines the combination of biodiversity and geodiversity
• Landscape Ecology combines natural/social sciences to study the connection between nature and humans in various ecosystems, ranging from natural systems to human-dominated areas
• Pattern refers to the arrangement of landscape components
• Process involves the continuous operations of nature
• Landscape Ecology addresses ecological and environmental issues like biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation
• Heterogeneity is the diversity of landscape components
• Geomorphology shapes a landscape's structure

Relationship between Civil Engineering and Landscape Ecology

• Civil Engineering and Landscape Ecology are interconnected in the planning and design of areas to ensure a balance between urbanization and environmental conservation
• projects such as roads, buildings, and other infrastructure can impact nature, therefore, using Ecology can minimize negative impact
• Population Genetics studies genetic variation and factors influencing it, helping us understand how traits change over time
• Genetic variation arises from mutations, gene, and genetic drift to help a population adapt to its environment
• Natural selection is a process in which organisms with traits better suited to their environment have a higher chance of survival and reproduction.
• Population Genetics provides insights into how and why populations change over time and planning conversation efforts
• Environmental changes caused by civil Engineering can lead to disrupted gene flow, Civil Engineers must plan sustainable projects that preserve habitats and maintin gene flow in species

Explore ecological studies focusing on species interactions, ecosystem recovery after disturbances, population limits, and adaptations. Understand the impact of invasive species and predator-prey relationships. Determine the effects of climate change on species distribution.