Nature’s Survival Strategies Follow Three Principles of Sustainability Reliance on solar energy The sun provides warmth and fuels photosynthesis Biodiversity Astounding variety and adaptability of natural systems and species Chemical cycling Circulation of chemicals from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment Also called nutrient cycling

We rely on solar energy Ok, Ok, there are some insignificant exceptions*

Where do “closed systems” like fish tanks get their energy?

Where do “closed systems” like fish tanks get their energy?

Nature’s Survival Strategies Follow Three Principles of Sustainability Reliance on solar energy The sun provides warmth and fuels photosynthesis Biodiversity Astounding variety and adaptability of natural systems and species Chemical cycling Circulation of chemicals from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment Also called nutrient cycling

Diversity Makes a System Stronger Diversity allows natural systems to function since every player has a particular role. When one player drops out or is unable to fulfill its role AND if there is no other player around to step in, system function is compromised. Figure 1.3: Three principles of sustainability. We derive these three interconnected principles of sustainability from learning how nature has sustained a huge variety of life on the earth for at least 3.5 billion years, despite drastic changes in environmental conditions (Concept 1-1a).

Diversity Makes a System Stronger Figure 1.3: Three principles of sustainability. We derive these three interconnected principles of sustainability from learning how nature has sustained a huge variety of life on the earth for at least 3.5 billion years, despite drastic changes in environmental conditions (Concept 1-1a). Beginning in 1890s, and booming after WWII Detroit was one of the manufacturing capitals in America. However, with dramatic decreases in manufacturing demand brought on in part by cheaper production overseas, today Detroit has been considered a “collapsed city”.

Diversity Makes a System Stronger Figure 1.3: Three principles of sustainability. We derive these three interconnected principles of sustainability from learning how nature has sustained a huge variety of life on the earth for at least 3.5 billion years, despite drastic changes in environmental conditions (Concept 1-1a). Beginning in 1890s, and booming after WWII Detroit was one of the manufacturing capitals in America. However, with dramatic decreases in manufacturing demand brought on in part by cheaper production overseas, today Detroit has been considered a “collapsed city”.

Panarchy Cycle

Uh oh!

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Costa Rica.

Corn Farm US

Nature’s Survival Strategies Follow Three Principles of Sustainability Reliance on solar energy The sun provides warmth and fuels photosynthesis Biodiversity Astounding variety and adaptability of natural systems and species Chemical cycling Circulation of chemicals from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment Also called nutrient cycling

Nutrient Cycling Figure 1.5: Nutrient cycling: This important natural service recycles chemicals needed by organisms from the environment (mostly from soil and water) through those organisms and back to the environment. Fig. 1-5, p. 10

Nutrient Cycling Figure 1.5: Nutrient cycling: This important natural service recycles chemicals needed by organisms from the environment (mostly from soil and water) through those organisms and back to the environment. Fig. 1-5, p. 10

1-1 What Are Three Principles of Sustainability? Concept 1-1A Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar energy, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling. Concept 1-1B Our lives and economies depend on energy from the sun and on natural resources and natural services (natural capital) provided by the earth.

Sustainability Has Certain Key Components Natural capital: supported by solar capital Natural resources: useful materials and energy in nature Natural services: important nature processes such as renewal of air, water, and soil Humans degrade and rely on natural capital Scientific solutions needed for environmental sustainability

Sustainability Has Certain Key Components Natural capital: supported by solar capital Natural resources: useful materials and energy in nature Natural services: important nature processes such as renewal of air, water, and soil Humans degrade and rely on natural capital Scientific solutions needed for environmental sustainability Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem Services Natural Capital Solar energy Natural Capital = Natural Resources + Natural Services Ecosystem Services Air Renewable energy (sun, wind, water flows) Air purification Climate control UV protection (ozone layer) Life (biodiversity) Water Population control Water purification Pest control Waste treatment Figure 1.4: These key natural resources (blue) and natural services (orange) support and sustain the earth’s life and human economies (Concept 1-1a). Nonrenewable minerals (iron, sand) Soil Land Soil renewal Food production Natural gas Nutrient recycling Oil Nonrenewable energy (fossil fuels) Coal seam Natural resources Natural services Fig. 1-4, p. 9

Ecosystem Services Natural Capital Solar energy Natural Capital = Natural Resources + Natural Services Ecosystem Services Air Renewable energy (sun, wind, water flows) Air purification Climate control UV protection (ozone layer) Life (biodiversity) Water Population control Water purification Pest control Waste treatment Figure 1.4: These key natural resources (blue) and natural services (orange) support and sustain the earth’s life and human economies (Concept 1-1a). Nonrenewable minerals (iron, sand) Soil Land Soil renewal Food production Natural gas Nutrient recycling Oil Nonrenewable energy (fossil fuels) Coal seam Natural resources Natural services Fig. 1-4, p. 9

Natural Capital and Natural Resources are now “Ecosystem Services”

Old way of thinking: Ecosystem Goods Raw materials provided by nature Essential inputs into all economic production We can use them up as fast as we like If I use it, you can't Competition for use Market goods Ecosystem structure, building blocks of ecosystems

Ecosystem Services Structure generates function Ecosystem functions of value to humans known as ecosystem services Includes life support and human well-being functions

On Tuesday Tuesday Finished discussion on Sustainability 3 principles of sustainability Panarchy Natural Capital  Ecosystem Services Today 3 types of ecosystem services (or 4?)

Greywater

Desalinization Factors that determine the costs for desalination include capacity and type of facility, location, feed water, labor, energy, financing, and concentrate disposal. Desalination stills now control pressure, temperature and brine concentrations to optimize efficiency.

Panarchy Panarchy is a conceptual term first coined by the Belgian philosopher, economist, and botanist Paul Emile de Puydt in 1860, referring to a specific form of governance (-Archie) that would encompass (pan-) all others.

Panarchy Panarchy is a conceptual term first coined by the Belgian philosopher, economist, and botanist Paul Emile de Puydt in 1860, referring to a specific form of governance (-Archie) that would encompass (pan-) all others. Panarchy: Understanding Transformations in Systems of Humans and Nature also simultaneously coined the term, saying: The term [panarchy] was coined as an antithesis to the word hierarchy (literally, sacred rules). Our view is that panarchy is a framework of nature's rules, hinted at by the name of the Greek god of nature, Pan. (CS “Buzz” Holling)

1. Provisioning Services Production of food, fuel, fiber (regeneration of structure) Food (fish) Food (crops) Materials for clothes (fur, leather) Building materials (Tiber)

2. Regulatory Services Water regulation Disturbance reg Erosion control Soil creation Pollination Climate regulation Nutrient cycling Biological control Waste absorption etc.

3. Cultural Services Recreation, tourism Scenery Cultural attachments Forests: jobs for 2,393 Vermont Annual payrolls of $33 million annually Scenery Cultural attachments Surfing

Supporting Services (kind of?) Habitat Refugia Without biodiversity, there are no other services

When making decisions about ecosystem services, there are trade-offs

There is still a lot to figure out about ecosystem services What services are most managed? How are they managed? By whom? Where are they managed? Who benefits? Are there environmental polices that specifically deal with ecosystem services? Surveyed 250 environmental managers on the local, state, and federal levels (both gov’t and NGOs)

There is still a lot to figure out about ecosystem services What services are most managed? How are they managed? By whom? Where are they managed? Who benefits? Are there environmental polices that specifically deal with ecosystem services? I lived here. Surveyed 250 environmental managers on the local, state, and federal levels (both gov’t and NGOs)

Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems Cultural Benefits Provisional Benefits There has been a lot of debate in the literature about the definition of ecosystem services. For the purpose of our study, we use the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment’s definition that ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. We also define management as researching, monitoring, making decisions, and/or providing outreach or education about these benefits. Take for example, fish, provisional and cultural. Management is researching, monitoring, making decisions, and/or providing outreach or education

Ecosystem Services in Literature I am sure everyone has heard of ecosystem services in this audience. This graph shows the number of articles using the term "ecosystem service*" in the title using an ISI Web of Science search through 2012. Their was just one in 1983, and as late as 2004 there was only 6 articles with ecosystem service in the title, but by 2011 there was 158. It is clear that the academic community has adopted the idea of ES. Less is known, however, about whether management professionals who actually make decisions about ES have adopted the idea AND whether ES has been transitioned into everyday decision-making.

If Eco Services are so important, what services are we managing?

If Eco Services are so important, what services are we managing?

If Eco Services are so important, why are we managing them?

At what scale are we managing them and who benefits?

When making decisions about ecosystem services, there are trade-offs Habitat, Nutrient Cycling, Maintaining Genetic Diversity, Disease Control, Cultural Significance, etc. (Brazil 1992-2008) Food production Figure 1.6: Natural capital degradation. This was once a large area of diverse tropical rain forest in Brazil, but it has now been cleared to grow soybeans. According to ecologist Harold Mooney of Stanford University, conservative estimates suggest that between 1992 and 2008, an area of tropical rain forest larger than the U.S. state of California was destroyed in order to graze cattle and plant crops for food and biofuels. Fig. 1-6, p. 10

How do we not imbalance these cycles and move toward more sustainable outcomes?

Such as simple thing….but pretty important As a way to decrease the rate of natural capital degradation…

Such as simple thing….but pretty important As a way to decrease the rate of natural capital degradation… Increased consumption has had a significant impact on the environment which was driven by a number of factors…

Post WWII 2 things significantly impacted resource consumption First, there were more people (and more people consume more than fewer people). After World War II, consumer spending no longer meant just satisfying an indulgent material desire. In fact, the American consumer was praised as a patriotic citizen in the 1950s, contributing to the ultimate success of the American way of life. "The good purchaser devoted to 'more, newer and better' was the good citizen," historian Lizabeth Cohen explained, "since economic recovery after a decade and a half of depression and war depended on a dynamic mass consumption economy."

The birth of the suburb!

The birth of the suburb! consumption growth

Reuse Figure 1.7: Reuse: This child and his family in Katmandu, Nepal, collect beer bottles and sell them for cash to a brewery that will reuse them. Fig. 1-7, p. 11

Reuse Figure 1.7: Reuse: This child and his family in Katmandu, Nepal, collect beer bottles and sell them for cash to a brewery that will reuse them. Fig. 1-7, p. 11

Recycle Scientists estimate that we could recycle and reuse 80–90% of the resources that we now use and thus come closer to mimicking the way nature recycles essentially everything. Recycling is important but it involves dealing with wastes we have produced. Ideally, we should focus more on using less, reusing items, and reducing our unnecessary waste of resources. Figure 1.8: Recycling: This family is carrying out items for recycling. Scientists estimate that we could recycle and reuse 80–90% of the resources that we now use and thus come closer to mimicking the way nature recycles essentially everything. Recycling is important but it involves dealing with wastes we have produced. Ideally, we should focus more on using less, reusing items, and reducing our unnecessary waste of resources. Fig. 1-8, p. 12