Environmental Stewardship PDF

Environmental Stewardship John Gilbert A. Montuya Course Code - COEF21 Module 2 - Introduction to Environmental Stewardship Environment Surroundings or cond...

Environmental Stewardship John Gilbert A. Montuya Course Code - COEF21 Module 2 - Introduction to Environmental Stewardship Environment Surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plants lives or operates. Surrounding of the ecosystem. Environmental Refers to the conditions around which affects people and other organisms. Environmental Science Study of interactions between humans, other organisms, and their surroundings and how these interactions affect their surroundings. Interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, biological and information sciences to the study of the environment. Solution of environmental problems. Environmental Biology Pertains to the sociological, technological and ecological studies of environment. Ecology Branch of biological science that deals with the relationships between living things and non-living components of the environment and plays an important role in environmental science. Its focus of study is the ecosystem. Ecosystem Occupies an important hierarchy in the level or organization in nature, more complex than a community, consisting of organisms interacting with one another and with the non-living matter and energy within a defined area. Unit of environment consisting of biotic and abiotic components. Components: Biotic ○ Living component that affects another organisms or shapes the ecosystem. Abiotic ○ Non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect livin organisms and the functioning of ecosystems. Types: Geographical or Natural ○ Terrestrial environment that is a creation of complex natural and environmental conditions. ○ Although it arose independently of humankind, it is the complement of direct interaction between nature and human society. (land, water, volcanoes, deserts) Man-made ○ Human creation. ○ Man cannot live in the geographical environment, so he creates some of his environmental conditions to adjust to it. (infrastructures) Inner Environment - Social environment, heritage Outer Environment - Physical environment created with the help of Science and Technology Components of Environment Biotic (Living) Abiotic (Non-living) Producers/Autotrophs Physical factors Consumers Chemical factors Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores Decomposers Trophic Structure Partitioning of biomass between trophic levels. (subsets of an ecological community that gather energy and nutrients in similar ways, that is, producers, carnivores). Biotic Components Producers Consumers Decomposers Abiotic Components Resources Directly consumed or utilized by organisms Examples - minerals - N, P, K, CO2 Environmental Conditions Not directly consumed but affect growth and survival of organisms ○ Examples - temperature, salinity pH Ecology Science dealing with the interrelationship of living organisms to their environment. Greek word ○ “oikos” > Home - coined by Ernst Haeckel ○ “logos” > Study Ecosystem Components Biotic Abiotic Producers Consumers Decomposers Climatic Physiographic Plants Herbivores Bacteria Light Topography Carnivores Fungi Temperature Soil Omnivores Moisture Wind Fire Types of Interaction 1. Biotic affecting biotic - e.g pollination 2. Biotic affecting abiotic - e.g decomposition 3. Abiotic affecting biotic - e.g hibernation 4. Abiotic affecting abiotic - e.g soil erosion Ethics Ethics is a relatively complete and systematically arranged body of data which relate to the morality of human conduct. Ethics presents truths that are acted upon which directly imply and indicate directions for human conduct. Ethos - Custom, Habit, Character or Disposition A character way of life “Should or ought to” Therefore: Ethics is the scientific inquiry into the principles of morality. Ethics is the science of human acts with reference to right and wrong Ethics is the study of the rectitude of human conduct. Ethics is the science that lays down the principles of right living. According to Socrates, ethics is the investigation of life. Value Intrinsic Value ○ The worth objects have in their own right. ○ Independent of their value to any other value simply because of existence. Instrumental Value ○ The worth objects have in fulfilling other ends. ○ Worth or value because they matter; values because they are. Ethical Positions 1. Anthropocentrism: Human created morality Only humans have intrinsic value and moral standing. The rest of the natural world has instrumental value. We can best protect nature by looking out for human needs. ○ E.g. Saving the rainforest will provide O2 and medicines for humans. 2. Biocentrism: Life-centered morality All and only living beings, specifically individual organisms (not species or ecosystem) have intrinsic value and moral standing. Humans are not superior to other life forms nor privileged, and must respect the inherent worth of every organism. Humans should minimize harm and interference with nature: eat vegetarian since less land needs to be cultivated.  3. Ecocentrism: Ecosystem centered morality Non-living things, species, and natural processes have moral standing or intrinsic value and are deserving of respect. Individuals must be concerned about the whole community of life/nature. Humans should strive to preserve ecological balance and stability. Principles of Ecology A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning. Everything is connected to everything else. Everything in nature changes. Everything in nature has to go somewhere. Ours is a finite Earth. Environmental Justice and Governance Relevant Principles 1. Polluter-Pays Principle Enacted to make the party responsible for producing pollution responsible for paying the damages done to the natural environment. 2. Intergenerational Equity Based on Sustainable Development Proper distribution of renewable and non-renewable resources is the key of the concept of sustainable development. Where intergenerational equity tries to distribute among present and future generations. 3. Writ of Mandamus and Writ of Kalikasan Mandamus is judicial remedy in the form of an order from a court to any government, subordinate court, corporation, or public authority, to do some specific act which that body is obliged under law to do, and which is in the nature of public duty, and in certain cases of a statutory duty.  M3 - The Physical Environment (Interconnectedness) Ecological Levels of Organization Level Description Biosphere/Ecosphere Summation of all ecosystems worldwide. Community of organisms and populations Ecosystem interacting with one another and with the abiotic factor making up their environment. Populations of different plants and animals living Community and interacting in an area at a particular time. Population Group of organisms of the same species living within a particular area. Organism Any form of life which includes plants and animals. Components of the Environment Abiotic - Non-living components Sunlight (Light Energy) ○ Photosynthetic activity of green plants (with chlorophyll) ○ Affects day length caused by circadian rhythm (rotation of the earth in its own axis) Water ○ Organisms classified either as terrestrial or aquatic ○ Classified plant based on water requirement - hydrophytes, mesophytes, xerophytes Atmosphere (Atmospheric Gases) ○ Most important of which are oxygen (respiration), carbon dioxide (photosynthesis), and nitrogen (protein synthesis) - Greenhouse gasses Wind (Air Currents) ○ Carries water vapor which condenses and falls as rain, snow, or hail ○ Plays a role in plant pollination and seed dispersal ○ Wind erosion removes and redistributes topsoil  Temperature ○ Affects the distribution of organisms in the surface of the planet ○ Influenced by the revolution of the earth around the sun bringing about season rhythm. (4 seasons - Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall/Autumn) ○ Affects activities of organisms - Dormancy, Migration, Germination. Soil (Edaphic Factors) ○ Soil texture (sand, silt, loam, clay) supports different types of vegetation - animals ○ Soil temperature affects organic matter decomposition ○ Soil water, solution, and pH influence biological activities and availability of certain minerals Physiographic Factors ○ Physical nature of the area affects the vegetation cone (altitude), presence of sun or rain bearing winds (position), and temperature of the soil surface (slope) Biotic - Living components Autotrophs ○ Capture energy (sunlight) and use it, along with inorganic nutrients, to produce organic compounds ○ Producers Heterotrophs ○ Need a source of preformed organic nutrients and consume tissues of other organisms ○ Consumers Herbivores - Green plants Carnivores - Animal flesh Omnivores - Plants and Animals Decomposers ○ Non-photosynthetic bacteria and fungi that extract energy from dead matter, including animal wastes in the soil, and make nutrients available. Nutritional Relationship Relationship S1 S2 Description Two organisms utilizing the same environmental Competition - - resources (interspecific and intraspecific) Parasitism + - Parasite benefits at the expenses of the host Predation + - Predator feed on prey Commensalism + o Commensal benefits while the host in unaffected Protocooperation + + Favorable to both but not obligatory Mutualism + + Favorable to both but obligatory Ecosystem Role Category Ecosystem Role Examples Converts simple organic Grasses, plants, trees, mosses, Producers molecules by through algae photosynthesis Consumers Uses organic matter as a source of food Herbivore Directly eat plants Grasshopper, ruminants, vegetarian human Carnivore Kills and eats animals Dragonfly, sharks, humans Omnivore Eats both plants and animals Rats, most humans Eats meats but often gets it Scavenger from animals that died by Blowflies, vulture, hyena accident or were killed by other animals Parasite Lives in or on another organisms Ascaric, many bacteria, some and gets food from it insects Decomposers Returns organic material to Bacteria, fungi, some insects inorganic material where it and worms completes the recycling atoms Detritivores Decaying Organic matter as a source of food Food Web Trophic Level Primary Producers ○ Plants Acacia Start grass Primary Consumers ○ Termite ○ Giraffe ○ Thompson’s Gazelle ○ Guinea Baboon ○ Zebra ○ Wildebeest Secondary Consumers ○ Lion ○ Cheetah ○ Wild Dog Cellular respiration Heat to environment Energy to carnivores Growth and reproduction Energy to detritus feeders Death Excretion defecation First Law of Thermodynamics Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be changed from one form of energy to another. Second Law of Thermodynamics When energy is transformed from one form to another, there is always some loss of energy from the system, usually as low-grade heat.  M4 - Atmosphere and Climate Atmosphere: Mixture of Gases Methane Water (H2O) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Atmosphere is defined as the mixture of gases that acts as a barrier from the harmful rays of the sun. Each of these gases can either absorb or defect various physical rays such as UV rays, x-rays and other ionizing rays. Atmosphere: Planetary Pressure Atmosphere is also defined as the standard pressure level inside the planet. It means that the gases in the atmosphere maintain the level of air in our surroundings so that they do not escape in the space. Atmosphere: Weather Machine The different bodies of water that are present in our surroundings eventually react to the heat generated by the sun. Thus, transforming into different forms or states of matter – which we call the water cycle. Precipitation Collection Evaporation Condensation Water Cycle: Evaporation Liquid/Water being absorbed. Water is the molecule in our planet with the highest amount of heat it can absorb prior to changing its form of state. If the heat absorbed by the water reaches 100 degrees Celsius, it undergoes evaporation. Water Cycle: Condensation Dense Liquid/Water to Clouds The water that evaporated will form the water vapors which are less dense than liquid water – resulting in their capacity to exist as a gaseous molecules. The gaseous water vapors will adhere to other water vapors forming clouds — called condensation. Water Cycle: Precipitation Cloud to Rain, Snow, Hail, Sleet If there is too much water vapor in the air, the gases in the atmosphere will not be able to sustain holding these water vapors. Thus, they fall to the surface of the land – it is called as precipitation. Water Cycle: Water Run-off Rain/Snow/Hail/Sleet to Liquid/Water Again After precipitation, the water vapors will return to their liquid state and will move in various locations, depending on the elevation of the ground. They will collect in the process of run-off which fills the water sheds and dams. Environmental Damage: Erosion The movement of water depending on the location can result in damage or movement on the surface of the soil resulting in various environmental concerns. The movement of soil because of water is called as soil erosion. Environmental Damage: Winds The movement of Earth affects the movement of water vapors from the atmosphere – forming various wind forms which are differentiated in the location that they are formed in our planet. Environmental Damage: Acid Rain If the water vapors has contacted various contaminants in the air such as sulfur (from volcanoes) or nitric acid (nitrogen gases) it can cause damage to the living organisms that is exposed into the contaminated rain. Environmental Damage: Eutrophication If the precipitation occurs in areas that are rich in fertilizers, it can run-off towards the nearby bodies of water. These fertilizers can cause rapid growth in plants or microorganisms that thrive using fertilizers; it can out compete the other living organisms in the bodies of water. Environmental Damage: Drought If there are too little precipitation due limited supply of water or sources of water, there is a phenomenon called as drought or “El Nino” where the water supply becomes scarce in an area. Environmental Damage: Flash Floods If there are too much precipitation in a short period of time, the water can accumulate in areas where it cannot move into its respective basins. It is a phenomenon called as the flash floods or “La Nina”. Environmental Damage: Sink Holes If there are limited precipitation in an area, the storage basins of water supply can deplete and these hollow areas which should be filled with water can dismantle without warning.