Science 1206Science 1206Mr. S. WhalenMr. S. Whalen

EcologyEcology

-Ecology -Ecology The scientific study of the interactions The scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.between organisms and their environment.

..**how organism affect their environment and how organism affect their environment and how the environment affects the organism.*how the environment affects the organism.*

.Ecology involves observations and experiments .Ecology involves observations and experiments to test hypothetical explanations of ecological to test hypothetical explanations of ecological phenomena. Hi storically, ecology has been a phenomena. Hi storically, ecology has been a descriptive or observational science, and is descriptive or observational science, and is relatively young as an experimental science.relatively young as an experimental science.

EcosystemEcosystem

An An Ecosystem Ecosystem is a community of is a community of organisms and the physical organisms and the physical environment in which they live.environment in which they live.

When an ecologist studies the When an ecologist studies the organisms living in a forest which organisms living in a forest which includes a study of the physical includes a study of the physical environment it lives, then the environment it lives, then the ecologist is studying an ecosystem.ecologist is studying an ecosystem.

Sustaining EcosystemsSustaining Ecosystems

Our ancestors stood on the face of this earth with the Our ancestors stood on the face of this earth with the belief that earth was the center of the universe and belief that earth was the center of the universe and would provide all needs for all eternity.would provide all needs for all eternity.

The way that humans view the world is known as a The way that humans view the world is known as a Paradigm.Paradigm.

ParadigmParadigm - the values, beliefs and knowledge an - the values, beliefs and knowledge an individual possesses to form a decision or evaluation.individual possesses to form a decision or evaluation.

After much exploitation of the earth’s resources has After much exploitation of the earth’s resources has modern society begun to change their view of earth?modern society begun to change their view of earth?

Changes in a Paradigm are known as a Changes in a Paradigm are known as a Paradigm ShiftParadigm Shift

SustainabilitySustainability

We are the caretakers of this planet and are We are the caretakers of this planet and are responsible to ensure its’ responsible to ensure its’ sustainabilitysustainability..

Sustainability -Sustainability - Living in a way that will Living in a way that will enable the earth to be used indefinitely enable the earth to be used indefinitely without depleting its energy or material without depleting its energy or material resources. resources.

Earth is, for the most part, a Earth is, for the most part, a closed systemclosed system. . The materials that make up our The materials that make up our BiosphereBiosphere are are not limitless as once believed. All materials not limitless as once believed. All materials are recycled, even us!are recycled, even us!

Changes in Paradigms Changes in Paradigms about Forestsabout Forests

If our ancestors needed a house, boat or If our ancestors needed a house, boat or fuel, they would cut down trees as needed fuel, they would cut down trees as needed without giving it any thought. Using early without giving it any thought. Using early tools (axe and saw) a typical forest worker tools (axe and saw) a typical forest worker could cut and stack about 2 cords (4' x4' x could cut and stack about 2 cords (4' x4' x 8') of wood per day.8') of wood per day.

Today a harvester can cut and stack 2 Today a harvester can cut and stack 2 cords of wood in minutes.cords of wood in minutes.

Can we sustain the forests at this rate?Can we sustain the forests at this rate? What effect does this have on the forest What effect does this have on the forest

ecosystem?ecosystem?

Changes in Paradigms Changes in Paradigms about our Fisheryabout our Fishery

Cod jigging of the past involved a individual out in Cod jigging of the past involved a individual out in an open boat (dory) with a single jigger line to try an open boat (dory) with a single jigger line to try their luck.their luck.

Modern technology changed to include the use of Modern technology changed to include the use of factory ships which make use of drift nets more factory ships which make use of drift nets more than 5 km long. Not to mention the use of than 5 km long. Not to mention the use of electronic equipment to detect where the fish are. electronic equipment to detect where the fish are. With this fish were caught by the metric ton rather With this fish were caught by the metric ton rather than the single fish.than the single fish.

Was the change in fishing technology sustainable?Was the change in fishing technology sustainable? Can the fishery be properly managed to be Can the fishery be properly managed to be

sustainable?sustainable?

Questions to think Questions to think about?about?

Has the old world view that the Earth and Has the old world view that the Earth and all things on it exist for the sole benefit of all things on it exist for the sole benefit of humans changed?humans changed?

Has western civilization been created on Has western civilization been created on the premise of the unlimited exploitation the premise of the unlimited exploitation of the Earth?of the Earth?

Has the focus shifted to environmental Has the focus shifted to environmental issues and concerns?issues and concerns?

Are we now shifting toward the concept of Are we now shifting toward the concept of sustainability?sustainability?