Chapter 5

Question 1

2 principles of effective resources and environmental management

Answer 1

1. Science-based decision-making

2. Best planning and management approaches in terms of concepts, processes and methods

Question 2

planning and management components

Answer 2

• Local people should be included when developing a strategy or implementing initiatives,
• Public agencies often prefer a standardized approach to problem-solving to avoid criticism based on unequal treatment
• Managers should recognize the specific conditions of a place and time and design accordingly to be effective, despite possible criticism

Question 3

ecocentric values

Answer 3

• Include a belief that there is a harmonious natural order governing relationships between living things, which humankind tends to disrupt through ignorance and presumption
• Reverence for, humility and responsibility towards, and stewardship of nature
• Similar to biocentric perspective

Question 4

people with ecocentric values

Answer 4

• favour application of low-impact technology
• oppose bigness and impersonality in all forms
• advocate behaviour consistent with ecological principles of diversity and change
• focus on choosing appropriate ends and using consistent means

Question 5

technocentric perspective

Answer 5

• Based on the assumption that humankind is able to understand, control, and manipulate nature to suit its purposes
• Nature and other living and non-living things exist to meet human needs and wants
• Similar to anthropocentric perspective

Question 6

people with technocentric perspective

Answer 6

• focus more on means than on ends because of confidence in human ingenuity and rights
• be less concerned with morality or consequences of activities
• admire the capacity and power of technology
• believe that technology and human inventiveness will be able to overcome resource shortages and remediate environmental degradation

Question 7

systems and ecosystem perspective

Answer 7

• Ecosystems consist of communities of biotic and abiotic elements interacting with each other. Their management requires a systems or holistic perspective
• The concept of ‘ecosystem’ was formulated in the 1930s (Tansley, 1935)
• People have been aware of the value of an ecosystem approach to planning and management for some time, and using it for decades

Question 8

Slocombe suggested that the ecosystem approach has a set of core characteristics

Answer 8

• Systems concepts and analysis
• Ethical perspectives
• Stakeholder and public participation
• A bioregional place-based focus
• Efforts to identify and develop common goals
• Gaining a systematic understanding of the ecosystem of interest

Question 9

opportunities through the ecosystem approach

Answer 9

1. Challenges the dominant anthropocentric/ technocentric perspective
2. Reminds us to consider management problems and solutions in the context of linked ‘systems’
3. Demands that the links between natural and economic or social systems be considered (exceeding thresholds lead to environmental degradation)
4. Reminds us that decisions made (or actions taken) at one place or scale can have implications for other places or scales
5. Raises questions regarding what is the most appropriate areal or spatial unit for planning and management (not political boundaries)
6. Highlights that systems are dynamic or continuously changing (in short and long terms)

Question 10

overall ecosystem approach

Answer 10

-Overall, the ecosystem approach incorporates the key ideas that
•humans are part of nature rather than separate from it
•interrelationships must be emphasized
•critical thresholds exist
-Implementing an ecosystem approach requires adjustments to governance and management

Question 11

different views

Answer 11

In resource and environmental management, it is important to have:

• a short-term view (less than 5 years)
• a middle-term view (5 to 15 years)
• a long-term view (more than 15 years)
• Systems often change slowly (but can change suddenly as well; adaptability is needed)
• A significant period of time may be required to change behaviour, attitudes, and values

Question 12

long term view

Answer 12

• Many problems have developed over long time spans, and can’t be ‘fixed’ or reversed in a few years; patience is required
• Short-term view is caused by
• short time between elections and other terms of office
• long time frame required to change attitudes
• focus on tangible results in short-term
• Preoccupation with short-term results prevents long-term commitment of funds and human resources

Question 13

environmental justice

Answer 13

• ‘The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies’ (US EPA)
  e. g., we should not dispose of waste and other LULUs in less-developed areas or countries (Locally undesirable land uses, Prison, power plant)
• Resource and environmental policy and management decisions often have public health implications