CONSERVATION L3- Environmental Security in The Anthropocene

Question 1

Holling (1973; 1978)

Answer 1

Introduced the idea of adaptive management as a contrast to command and control management.

This focused on the idea of resilience.

Question 2

Crutzen and Stoemer (2008)

Answer 2

Coined the term Anthropocene- a new geological epoch

Question 3

Folke (2006)

Answer 3

Before Holling introduced the concept of AM, ecology considered human actions to be external from systems.

BUT this is wrong! Humans depend heavily on the Earth’s systems for ESS.

Policies therefore had to change to mark the shift in ecology.

Question 4

Steffen et al. (2009)

Answer 4

Introduced the concept of planetary boundaries alongside the Anthropocene.

We have already crossed:

a) climate change
b) nitrous and phospherous emissions
c) biodiversity loss

To maintain Holocene conditions, we would have to change our actions dramatically.

Question 5

Schmidt (2017)

Answer 5

Social learning in adaptive management is key- improves the ability to overcome non-linear, surprise results from ecosystems.

Question 6

Steffen et al. (2011)

Answer 6

The concept of the Anthropocene suggests that we need to change our attitudes and actions.

We are currently driving systems to hostile, irreversible states.

Approaches range from geo-engineering to environmental stewardship.

Question 7

Nadasdy (2007)

Answer 7

Social learning in AM can be problematic, BUT the notion of resilience reduces this (focusing on long term resilience rather than short term stability like C+C).

Arguably AM is a return to TEK (Pinchot).

Problems:

1) should resilience be considered the absolute good?
2) AM implies current capitalist regimes should be maintained this is rejected by indigenous groups.