Laws of Nature

The Law of GravityGravity is a force of attraction between

objects that pulls all objects on earth towards the center of the earth at a rate of 9.8 m/sec

Environmental Application Our Freshwater and pollution go to the

same place; rivers, lakes, aquifers, the lowest point

The Law of MatterMatter can neither be created or

destroyed.

Environmental ApplicationOnce pollution is created it is very

difficult to clean up because you have to have some way to rearrange the atoms, it won’t just disappear.

The First Law of EnergyEnergy can neither be created nor

destroyed.

Environmental ApplicationWe can’t just magically make energy.

Virtually all energy sources on earth originate from the sun.

The Second Law of EnergyWhenever energy is transferred some (on

average about 90%) is lost as low quality heat energy.

Environmental ApplicationSince we are so lousy at transferring

energy we consume a supply of energy approximately 10 times greater than we actually use to do the work necessary to stay alive.

Competitive Exclusion PrincipleNo two species can occupy the same niche.

When a new specie is introduced to an already occupied niche, one of the following options will occur.

1. One or both species adapt to a new niche (usually takes thousands to millions of years)

2. One Species migrates to find a new unoccupied habitat and niche

3. One of the species goes (locally) extinct.

Competitive Exclusion PrincipleEnvironmental ApplicationInvasive species put enormous

pressure on native species. Modern day human civilization has created the greatest impact. Fragmenting most areas leaving native species to live in almost inhabitable environments. Eventually leading to extinction.

The Law of SustainabilitySystems that are sustainable depend

on an endless supply of renewable energy and efficient recycling of the matter they needed for growth and development.

Environmental Application: Stable, sustainable systems follow

these rules of nature or the system breaks down.

Characteristics of Natural Systems

Sustainable for Hundreds, Thousands, and millions of

Years

Species have evolved adaptations to compensate for the effects of Gravity in their environment

Species have evolved ways to effectively transfer matter and energy between the living and non-living portions of ecosystems (Symbiosis).

The greater the number of interactions between species, the more effective the transfer of matter and energy in an ecosystem over a long period of time. Biodiversity results from billions of years of cooperation and competition between species for the matter and energy they need to survive

When the transfer of matter and energy are severely interrupted, the loss of biodiversity occurs