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ENVS 112 – Introduction to Environmental Studies

ENVS 112 – Introduction to Environmental Studies. http://biology.kenyon.edu/courses/ENVS%20112/ENVSHome.html Section 02 Ray Heithaus Higley 202, 5393. What is “environmental studies”?.

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ENVS 112 – Introduction to Environmental Studies

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  1. ENVS 112 – Introduction to Environmental Studies http://biology.kenyon.edu/courses/ENVS%20112/ENVSHome.html Section 02 Ray Heithaus Higley 202, 5393

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

  3. What is an Environmental Problem? • Mean surface temperature of the oceans will rise 1-3.5 degrees (C) by year 2100 • Hummer 2 gets 9-16 mpg • Marked decline in amphibians worldwide • 80% of European forests damaged by acid rain • Wild California condors are almost gone • 200 million hectares of forest lost in last 20 years (in developing countries) • Oil reserves will only last 40-50 years(est.) • Porterhouse steak at Kroger comes wrapped in plastic

  4. Blackjack Wetlands

  5. seasonal shifts in water level

  6. Marsh marigolds – specialized & local

  7. long-tailed salamander

  8. flower of skunk cabbage

  9. green frog

  10. painted turtle

  11. Utility corridor

  12. BJW Aerial view 1

  13. BJWhydric soils

  14. BJWAerial view 2

  15. BJWAerial view 3

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

  17. What do we need to know? • Components • What “stuff” can we measure? e.g., water, biomass, pesticide, numbers of marigolds or salamanders, student visitors (education) • Where is that “stuff”? = compartments • Exchanges • How does “stuff” move among compartments? • Influences • What controls rate of movement of “stuff”?

  18. BJW System Diagram • Outline the major components of this system • What is the system? BJW? What does that mean? • ID Stocks, Flows, Influences • Where do your questions fit into this system? • Which component is the focus of your question? • What other components will influence the answer? • Do other questions arise as you build the system? • The answer to your question depends on answers to others?

  19. Sustainability • “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” • from Our Common Future • Brundtland Commission, W.H.O. 1987

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