Lectures: Introduction to Ecology, Biodiversity, and Population Growth PDF

People and the Earth’s Ecosystem ANJIE LYN ENGAÑO, MSc. People and the Earth’s Ecosystem Evidence of climate change, rapidly diminishing water resources, and catastrophic loss of global biodiversity show the urgency to manage human impacts on Earth’s ecosystems. Therefore, this cour...

People and the Earth’s Ecosystem ANJIE LYN ENGAÑO, MSc. People and the Earth’s Ecosystem Evidence of climate change, rapidly diminishing water resources, and catastrophic loss of global biodiversity show the urgency to manage human impacts on Earth’s ecosystems. Therefore, this course is designed to introduce Earth’s resources – where they come from, how we use them, how they impact our societies, and how we might sustain or exhaust them in the face of world population growth and changing climate. Furthermore, the course will examine the impacts of human actions in the environment and the environmental consequences of environmental modification to human activity.  Introduction to Ecology, Biodiversity, and Population Growth  The Hierarchy of Biological Organization Biological organization is the hierarchy of complex biological structures and systems that define life using a reductionistic approach.”. https://www.simply.science/index.php/organization-of-life Ecology It is the study of interactions and relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment (Ecological Society of America). Environment= all elements in an organism’s surroundings (abiotic and biotic). Ecology- termed coined by Ernst Haeckel in 1866 Oikos= “house” Haeckel conceptualized ecology as the “economy of nature”. Ecology Natural Selection and Evolution forms the foundation of Ecology. Levels of Organization Covered in Ecology: Organismal Ecology (response of individual to environmental changes) Population (groups of individuals belonging to the same species) Community (units composed of all populations of all species living in a particular time and space) Ecosystems (all of the communities and their physical environments considered together) The Role of Ecology in our lives? “understanding our environment through research provides information to better understand the world around us. This improves our environment, manage our natural resources, and protect human health.” Public Health: Natural Services Biomedical Contributions Biodiversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems (Convention on Biological Diversity).  Components of Biodiversity Genetic Diversity- is the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. Species Diversity-refers to the number of species in an area. Ecosystems Diversity- the variety of different habitats, communities and ecological processes  Components of Biodiversity Genetic Diversity- is the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. Species Diversity-refers to the number of species in an area. Ecosystems Diversity- the variety of different habitats, communities and ecological processes  Importance of Biodiversity Provisioning: The foods we eat, medicines we use to stay healthy, and materials we use for clothing or shelter. Regulating: The processes that renew natural resources and ensure a functional environment. Culture: Services that promote health, such as inspiration, education, recreation, and traditional knowledge. Supporting: The building blocks of life, including the creation of new organic matter and cycling of nutrients. https://www.neefusa.org/story/health-and-environment/why-biodiversity-important-human-health || https://sustainability.yale.edu/explainers/yale-experts-explain-biodiversity  Threats to Biodiversity https://theconversation.com/toxoplasmosis-how-feral-cats-kill-wildlife-without-lifting-a-paw-32228 Retrieved form https://www.neefusa.org/story/health-and-environment/why-biodiversity-important-human-health Philippine Biodiversity “Center of the Center of Marine Biodiversity” Governance and Biodiversity  Philippine Governance and the Convention of Biological Diversity Philippines is one of the signatories for the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). CBD Reports must have the updates on the Philippine Diversity, the management, and the Future Targets. CBD Framework AICHI TARGETS (2010-2020) KUNMING-MONTEREAL TARGETS (2020-2030) Sustainable Development Goals from the World Health Organization The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to transform our world. They are a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity. It is critical that no one is left behind Philippines’ Biodiversity Issue  Philippines’ Non-Government Organizations, Societies, and Government Institution for Biodiversity  Population Growth Population is all the individuals of a species that live in the area. “Population is dynamic.” Demography is the statistical study of populations, allows predictors to be made about how a population will change. Three Features of Population 1. Size (number of individuals in an area) 2. Density (measurement of population per unit area) 3. Dispersion (spatial pattern of individuals) DISPERSION (Spatial Pattern)  Demographic Processes: -determine how population change (population size) through time. 1. Birth (b) 2. Death (d) 3. Immigration (i) 4. Emigration (e) N=(b–d)+(i–e) [open system] N=b–d [closed system] The difference between birth and death rate will indicate a decrease, increase or no change in population size. b > d (N increase) b < d (N decrease) b = d (N no change) Age Structure proportion of different age groups in a population Semelparous populations: produce all offspring in single reproductive event Iteroparous populations: produce offspring in series of separate reproductive events Types of Age Structure Growing Population Old Growing Young 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Proportion (%) Types of Age Structure Dying Population Old Growing Young 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Proportion (%) Types of Age Structure Stable Population Old Growing Young 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Proportion (%)  The Environmental Challenges that We Face  A. Growing Population In 2011 passed 7 billion individuals Poverty incidence among Filipinos in the first semester of 2015 was estimated at 26.3%. Poverty is a condition in which people are unable to meet their basic needs for food, clothing, shelter, education, or health. Consumption – the human use of material and energy. Economic growth – the expansion in output of a nation’s goods and services. https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/poverty B. Gap Between the Rich and Poor Countries 1. Highly developed countries – with complex industrialized bases, low rates of population growth, and high per person incomes (18% of the world’s population): United States of America, Canada, Most of Europe, and Japan 2. Moderately developed countries – fewer opportunities for income, education, and health care: Turkey, South Africa, Thailand, and Mexico. 3. Less developed countries – cheap, unskilled labor is abundant, but capital investment is scarce: Haiti, Bangladesh, Rwanda, and Laos C. Types of Resources 1. Nonrenewable resources – Highly developed countries account natural resources that are present for the lion’s share of total resources in limited supplies and are consumed: depleted as they are used. 86% of aluminum used 76% of timber harvested 2. Renewable resources – resources 68% of energy produced that are replaced by natural processes 61% of meat eaten and that can be used forever, provided 42% of the fresh water consumed that they are not overexploited in the These nations also generate 75% of short term: trees, fishes, fertile agricultural soil, and fresh water. the world’s pollution and waste. D.) Sustainability and the Environment Sustainability achieved when the environment can function indefinitely without going into a decline from the stresses that human society imposes on natural system  Environmental Science This deals with the study of our environment, either globally or locally, and its living and non-living components. 1. Natural sciences – Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, and Medicine 2. Social sciences – Economics, Political Science, Sociology, History, Philosophy, and Ethics 3. Other sciences – Mathematics, Statistics, Technology, Business and Management, Law, Religion, Morality, and Aesthetics Goals of Environmental Science: 1. To develop a sustainable world 2. To study environmental problems and issues SUSTAINABILITY AND HUMAN VALUES  Sustainability & Human Values “Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life. (Earth Charter, 1992)”  Pollution and degradation of the environment are exacerbated as individuals in a population consume large amounts of resources. Lifestyle - Include all goods and services bought for food, clothing, housing, travel, recreation, and entertainment. In evaluating consumption, all aspects of the product, use, and disposal of these goods and services are considered, including environmental costs.  B.) Sustainable Consumption It is the use of goods and services that satisfy basic human needs and improve the quality of life but also minimize resource use. “At the global level, sustainable consumption requires the eradication of poverty.“ Voluntary simplicity – individual happiness and quality of life are not necessarily linked to the accumulation of material goods  Consumption Habits Activity Objective: To promote self-awareness about personal consumption habits and practice data collection and analysis through central tendency.  D.) Environmental Worldviews 1. Western worldview (expansionist worldview) - based on human superiority over nature, the unrestricted use of natural resources, and economic growth to manage an expanding industrial base. Anthropocentric – emphasizes on the importance of humans as the overriding concern in the grand scheme of things. Earth could not support its more than 7 billion humans if each consumed high level of goods and services sanctioned by the Western worldview. Frontier attitude – desire to conquer and exploit nature as quickly as possible. 2.) Deep ecology overview - based on harmony with nature, a spiritual respect for life, and the belief that humans and all other species have an equal worth. Biocentric – views humans as one species among others. The world could support only a fraction of the existing human population.  E.) Environmental Justice Environmental justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. Fair treatment means no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. Eco-justice encompasses environmental inequalities faced by low- income minority communities.” https://www.mobilizegreen.org/blog/2018/9/30/environmental-equity-vs-environmental-justice-whats-the-difference F. Overall Plan for Sustainable Living 1. Eliminate poverty and stabilize the human population 2. Protect and restore Earth’s resources 3. Provide adequate food for all people 4. Mitigate climate change 5. Design sustainable cities Group Assignment Due date: OCTOBER 29, 2024- SUBMISSION OF POSTER AND PPT 1. Highly Developed countries (Japan Vs USA) 2. Moderately Developed Countries (Thailand Vs Turkey) 3. Less Developed Countries (Bangladesh Vs Haiti)  Research and Role Assignment (15 minutes presentation): Each group is given 2 countries (based on their development level) to represent. Group members will take on different roles (e.g., environmental scientist, government official, business leader) and research their assigned countries' economic status, environmental issues, and sustainability efforts. They should focus on: Resource consumption. Major environmental challenges. Current sustainability initiatives. Their country’s role in global climate change mitigation. Environmental Protection Laws  B). Some of the Environmental Protection Laws in the Philippines 1.) Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines: Article II: Declaration of Principles and State Policies Sec. 15Health and Well-being. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instilling health consciousness among them. Sec. 16Right to a Balanced and Healthful Ecology. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Article XII. National Economy and Patrimony Sec. 4. The Congress shall, as soon as possible, determine by law the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground. Thereafter, such forest lands and national parks shall be considered and may not be increased nor diminished, except by law.  B). Some of the Environmental Protection Laws in the Philippines (Continuation) 4. PD 1121 – Creating the National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC) was issued on April 19, 1977 5. PD 1067 (1976) – Philippine Water Code 6. RA 8749 – The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 7. RA 9275 – The Philippine Clear Water Act of 2004 8. RA 6969 – Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990 9. RA 9003 – Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000  A.) Conservation and Preservation Conservation is the sensible and careful management of natural resources. Preservation involves setting aside undisturbed areas, maintaining them in a pristine state, and protecting them from human activities that might alter their “natural” state. https://science.umd.edu/classroom/BSCI363/inouye/Lectures/Definition/sld002.htm Conservation Initiatives in the Philippines Conservation Initiatives in the Philippines Epidemiological Environment  Determinants of Medical Ecology Toxicology is the study of toxicants, chemicals with adverse effects on health. Epidemiology is the study of the effects of chemical, biological, and physical agents on the health of human populations. Epidemiology is the branch of medicine which deals with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health. Classes of Diseases Categories of Diseases D. Some Human Diseases transmitted by Polluted Waters