short answers

MODULE ONE: Ecosystem Use, Stewardship, and the Scientific Method

(1) Ecosystem use and restoration

Humans transform terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in an effort to obtain food, build settlements, and engage in economic activity. Earth Trends, an environmental information portal provided by the World Resources Institute, states that “worldwide, humans have converted approximately 29 percent of the land area – almost 3.8 billion hectares – to agriculture and urban or built-up areas” (Mock, 2000). These conversions have significant implications for the continued procurement of goods and services needed to support life and lifestyles. The alteration of water and nutrient cycles, soil composition, species diversity, and landscape structure disrupts the proper functioning of ecosystems.

In order to take corrective action, ecological systems must be returned to a stable,

healthy, and sustainable state. It is important to remember, however, that ecosystems

can never be returned to their original state, but merely steadied to a state at which they may be managed. Effectively managing ecosystems requires the establishment of concrete goals which aim to preserve and conserve major ecological products and services. The key to resource management, then, is balancing the needs of healthy natural systems with the socioeconomic, political and cultural needs of human systems.

(2) Stewardship

Inherent to the concept of ecosystem stewardship is recognition of the fact that natural and human systems are interdependent; ecosystem capital is utilized in such a way as

to reduce vulnerability to degradation and maintain biodiversity. The goal of stewardship is to live within nature’s limits, striving for a healthy society, achieving an economy with minimal social and environmental costs, applying the scientific method to policy (sound science), and promoting active citizenship. The term stewardship carries with it a responsibility to put the interests of all stakeholders – humans and other organisms – above individual benefits.

(3) The scientific method

Although the steps involved in the scientific method vary according to the goal of “investigation” (discovery, theory building, policy formation, etc.), the process boils down to a standardized methodology for 1) observation, 2) defining purpose, 3) creating a hypothesis, 4) conducting scientific or exploratory research, 5) analyzing

the collected data/information, and 6) coming to a conclusion.

Following such a process of evaluation is vital to resource management, because it helps foster understanding of cause and effect relationships between human activity and ecosystem functioning. Rational investigation of scientific information and complex phenomena encourages an objective versus subjective decision making process. The scientific method calls for neutrality when considering news stories, conducting or analyzing scientific research, evaluating possible solutions, and forming viewpoints. Being able to follow an impartial line of questioning is important, because it helps mediate controversies and avoid bias.

References

Mock, G. (2000, September). domesticating the world: Conversion of natural ecosystems. Retrieved

from http://earthtrends.wri.org/features/view_feature.php?theme=7&fid=34