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Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Environmental Science
Earth’s Carrying Capacity, 2013
• According to the WWF, August 20th 2013, was the day that humanity’s demand exceeded
Earth’s carrying capacity. This day has been called Overshoot Day, and is the day when
humanity has used as much renewable natural resources as our planet can regenerate in
one year. For the rest of 2013, we are “in the red” – effectively “overdrawn” on the
balance sheet of nature’s goods and services that we require to survive.
• Based on Ecological Footprint data – measuring how much nature we have, how much
we use, and who uses what – Earth Overshoot Day is an initiative of WWF’s partner, the
Global Footprint Network, to raise awareness and inspire action around ecological
“overspending”.
• Global Footprint Network estimates that in approximately eight months, we (humans)
demand more renewable resources and C02 sequestration than what the planet can
provide for an entire year.
• Short video about Ecological Overshoot http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/video_overshoot_explained/
Sources:
http://wwf.panda.org/?209789/In-the-red-for-the-rest-of-2013-humanitys-demands-exceed-Earths-carrying-capacity
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/gfn/page/earth_overshoot_day/
Chapter 3: Biogeochemical Cycles
Climate Change Will Upset Vital Ocean Chemical Cycles
• Climate change is causing ocean
temperatures to rise
• Plankton play a key role in
biogeochemical cycling. They are
responsible for half of all CO2 that is
removed from the atmosphere and
storing it in the deep sea
© Michelle Hogan
Rising ocean temperatures will
upset natural cycles of carbon
dioxide, nitrogen, and
phosphorus.
• Rising ocean temperatures will cause
changes in diversity and productivity
of plankton.
Climate Change Will Upset Vital Ocean Chemical Cycles
• Under warmer temperatures,
some plankton do not produce as
many ribosomes (these produce
proteins within cells)
• Ribosomes are rich in phosphorus
• As the amount of ribosomes being
produced declines, the ratio of
nitrogen to phosphorus will
increase
Photo by Jerry Prexioso
Plankton is a general term that refers to
an enormous diversity of different
organisms that make up the base of the
ocean food chain.
• Higher nitrogen to phosphorus
ratios will lead to increased
nitrogen demand
• Cyanobacteria (which fixes
nitrogen) will increase in
prevalence
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130908135752.htm
Chapter 5: Biological Diversity
Current Events – Conservation vs oil: Ecuador’s Yasuni-ITT Initiative
Conservation
The Yasuni National Park in Ecuador is located on the western edge of the Amazon and is an
area extremely rich in biodiversity.
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High numbers of endemic and endangered species.
Isolated indigenous communities will be affected.
Remote location will require clearing of forest for access roads and drilling activities.
Prior oil drilling activities have led to widespread pollution and environmental destruction.
Oil Production
The Yasuni National Park sits on vast oil fields estimated to contain 796 million barrels of
crude oil, or 20% of Ecuador’s oil reserves.
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Valued at $18 billion – reserves are a substantial source of revenue for Ecuadorian government
Provides important jobs and social services to Ecuadorians.
Extraction efforts will affect less than 1% of park land.
How should this dilemma be resolved? Should Ecuador choose to protect
the unique biodiversity of Yasuni National Park, or should it allow the
development of oil reserves for the benefit of the Ecuadorian people?
Current Events – Conservation v oil: Ecuador’s Yasuni-ITT Initiative
In 2007, a potential solution was proposed by the Ecuadorian government.
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The Yasuni National Park would be protected from oil development if the international
community would pay the Ecuadorian government $3.6 billion dollars. (This amount is a
fraction of the projected value of the oil reserves)
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This payment would provide important economic revenue to the Ecuadorians while protecting
the biodiversity and indigenous population of Yasuni National Park.
In 2010, a trust fund established by the
United Nations Development Program
(UNDP) began collecting contributions
from the international community…
Did it work?
Find out here:
Conservation v oil: Ecuador’s
Yasuni-ITT Initiative
http://www.theinternational.org/articles/461-conservationv-oil-ecuadors-yasuni-it
http://www.ecuadoradventures.com/huaorani-communities-oil-companies-nature-and-survival/
Chapter 7: Forests and Wildlife
Woodland Salamanders Indicators of Forest Ecosystem Recovery
• The number and body condition of
woodland salamanders has been
found to be a good indicator of forest
advancement, including stand age,
tree size, ambient moisture, canopy
closure, and litter depth.
• Salamanders make perfect indicators
because:
• They are vulnerable to forest
disturbances
Woodland Salamanders possess
attributes that make them perfect
indicators of forest ecosystem recovery.
This is important for researchers
attempting to restore old-growth forest
conditions
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130828144845.htm
• They play an important trophic
role
• They generally stay in a small
area
• They have high site fidelity