ENVS 112 – ENVS 112 – Introduction to Introduction to Environmental Environmental

StudiesStudies

http://biology.kenyon.edu/courses/ENVS%20112/ENVSHome.html

Section 02Section 02

Ray HeithausRay Heithaus

Higley 202, 5393Higley 202, 5393

What is “environmental What is “environmental studies”?studies”?

““The scientific study of the dynamic The scientific study of the dynamic relationships and processes that relationships and processes that occur among the biological and occur among the biological and physical components of nature and physical components of nature and their impact on economic and social their impact on economic and social systems at multiple spatial and systems at multiple spatial and temporal scales.” (text)temporal scales.” (text)

WWhat is an Environmental hat is an Environmental Problem?Problem?

Mean surface temperature of the oceans will Mean surface temperature of the oceans will rise 1-3.5 degrees (C) by year 2100rise 1-3.5 degrees (C) by year 2100

Hummer 2 gets 9-16 mpg Hummer 2 gets 9-16 mpg Marked decline in amphibians worldwideMarked decline in amphibians worldwide 80% of European forests damaged by acid 80% of European forests damaged by acid

rainrain Wild California condors are almost goneWild California condors are almost gone 200 million hectares of forest lost in last 20 200 million hectares of forest lost in last 20

years (in developing countries)years (in developing countries) Oil reserves will only last 40-50 years(est.)Oil reserves will only last 40-50 years(est.) Porterhouse steak at Kroger comes wrapped Porterhouse steak at Kroger comes wrapped

in plasticin plastic

Blackjack WetlandsBlackjack Wetlands

seasonal shifts in water seasonal shifts in water levellevel

Marsh marigolds – specialized & Marsh marigolds – specialized & locallocal

long-tailed salamanderlong-tailed salamander

flower of skunk cabbageflower of skunk cabbage

green froggreen frog

painted turtlepainted turtle

Utility corridorUtility corridor

BJW BJW Aerial view 1Aerial view 1

BJWBJWhydric soilshydric soils

BJWBJWAerial view Aerial view

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BJWBJWAerial view Aerial view

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Is there an “environmental Is there an “environmental problem” at BJW?problem” at BJW?

What do we need to know?What do we need to know?

ComponentsComponents– What “stuff” can we measure? e.g., water, What “stuff” can we measure? e.g., water,

biomass, pesticide, numbers of marigolds or biomass, pesticide, numbers of marigolds or salamanders, student visitors (education)salamanders, student visitors (education)

– Where is that “stuff”? = compartmentsWhere is that “stuff”? = compartments ExchangesExchanges

– How does “stuff” move among compartments?How does “stuff” move among compartments? InfluencesInfluences

– What controls rate of movement of “stuff”?What controls rate of movement of “stuff”?

BJW System DiagramBJW System Diagram Outline the major components of this systemOutline the major components of this system

– What is the system? BJW? What does that mean?What is the system? BJW? What does that mean?– ID Stocks, Flows, Influences ID Stocks, Flows, Influences

Where do your questions fit into this system?Where do your questions fit into this system?– Which component is the focus of your question?Which component is the focus of your question?– What other components will influence the answer? What other components will influence the answer?

Do other questions arise as you build the Do other questions arise as you build the system?system?– The answer to your question depends on answers to The answer to your question depends on answers to

others? others?

SustainabilitySustainability

““meeting the needs of the present meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their future generations to meet their needs.”needs.”

from from Our Common FutureOur Common Future Brundtland Commission, W.H.O. 1987Brundtland Commission, W.H.O. 1987