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Ecology and Sustainable Development

Hand-outs

Nurmukhanbetova G.A. Cand.Sc.(Biology)

Topic 1: Introduction to Ecology and Sustainable Development The main idea: Note a subject, objects and primary tasks of ecology and sustainable development principles. Lecture outline: 1. Subject, objects and structure of ecology. 2. The concept of sustainability 3. Ecological laws and world ethical views. 4. Connection of ecology to other disciplines. 5. Importance of ecological knowledge 1. Subject, objects and structure of ecology. Ecology the scientific study about the interaction between living organisms and their environment From Greek oicos means home and from Latin logos means study (Study of home). This term was introduced by E. Heckel in 1868. Ecology was developed as a separate biological science in 1920s and as integrated science in 1950s. ! For comparison: Economics: oicos means home and nomos means managing (Managing the house). Environment anything outside the individual organism including the set of conditions experienced by an organism or a group of organisms. Ecosystem an ecological unit that includes all the interacting parts (living organisms and the environment) in an area (A. Tansley 1935). Hierarchy of life Cell Tissue Organ - Organ system Organism (Species) Populations Communities - Ecosystem - Biosphere Species living organisms that are genetically alike and are able to breed to give a viable offspring. Population organisms of the same species that occupy the same area. Community living organisms of different populations in the same area. Biosphere all the life-supporting regions (ecosystems) on the Earth and all the interactions that occur among organisms and between organisms and the environment. Autecology the ecology of single species. Demecology the ecology of populations. Synecology the ecology of communities. Global ecology the ecology of biosphere. 2. The concept of sustainability IPAT model (Paul Ehrlich 1968): I = P A T , where I Environmental Impact P Population (Number of people) A Affluence (Consumption of resources per capita) T Technology (Environmental degradation and pollution) Sustainable Development the development that meets the needs of the present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Commission 1987). Sustainable Development requires strategies that satisfy Social, Economic, and Environmental goals simultaneously. The Ten Principles of Sustainable Development Ecological principles Dependence Biophysical limits Living within limits Interdependence Political/Economic principles Participation Cooperation Addressing the root causes Social/Ethical Principles Intergenerational equity Intragenerational equity Ecological justice

Ecology and Sustainable Development

Hand-outs

Nurmukhanbetova G.A. Cand.Sc.(Biology)

3. Ecological laws and world ethical views. Ecological Laws: Barry Commoner (1972): Everything is connected to everything else Everything must go somewhere Nature knows better There is no such thing as a free lunch World views and ethical perspectives on environment (compare and contrast): Philosophy Anthropocentric Stewardship Biocentric Ecocentric Intrinsic (internal) Value Humans Humans and nature Species Ecosystems Role of Humans Masters Caretakers One of many Sustainable users

4. Connection of ecology to other disciplines. Biology Mathematics Chemistry Engineering Geography Economics Geology Physics

History Sociology Political sciences Ethics

5. Importance of ecological knowledge - To sort environmental information and focus on important issues. - To understand how to minimize human impact on the natural environment. - To know how the information can be used effectively to make a balanced decision in order to behave in a sustainable manner. Key terms: Ecology Environment Ecosystem Sustainable Development Species Population Community Biosphere Anthropocentric Autecology Demecology Synecology Global ecology Ernest Heckel - the term Ecology (1868) Alexandre Tansley - the term ecosystem (1935) Paul Ehrlich - IPAT model (1970s) Barry Commoner: Principles of ecology (1972): Everything is connected to everything else Everything must go somewhere Nature knows better There is no such thing as a free lunch

Questions for review: 1. What does ecology study? 2. Define ecological units refer to life levels organization. 3. Give classification of ecology refer to ecological objects. 4. Define the term Sustainable development. Why is it important to environment protection? 5. Name four Commoners principles of ecology. Give examples. 6. Present some philosophical and ethical world views on environment. 7. What is importance of knowledge ecology? Home task: Make a synopsis: Daniel D. Chiras, Environmental Science: Creating Sustainable Future 1. Make a scheme of Conditions created by sustainable development (p.10, fig. 1-6). 2. List Ten principles of sustainable development and briefly describe each one (p.15, table 1-1). Critical Thinking (Writing an essay): 1. Ecology as separated science was formed in 1950s. Is it right to suggest that ecological knowledge were accumulated since ancient time? Prove it. 2. Ecology is the science of future. Is this assumption correct? Prove it. 3. Give some examples of connection Ecology to different natural and humanities sciences. 4. Discuss the origin, statements and bases of some environmental philosophies (listed above). Which is closest to your own views? 5. How are sustainable consumption and voluntary simplicity related?

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