Lecture 5 - Human Environment Relations Flashcards
1
Q
Systems
A
Sets of interrelated parts linked together to form a unified whole
2
Q
Ecosystem
A
Set of independent organisms, and their physical, chemical, and biological environment
3
Q
Environment
A
Includes the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere
4
Q
Anthropocentric (2)
A
- resources to be only those components of the environment with utility for humans
- elements of the environment don’t become resources until they have value for humans
5
Q
Ecocentric (2)
A
- resources as existing independently of human wants and needs
- values aspects of the environment simply because they existed and accepts that they have the right to exist
6
Q
Disciplinary (4)
A
- organized around the concepts, theories, assumptions, and methods associated with an academic discipline
- more in-depth understanding
- important connections with parts of the system isn’t considered and will not be taken to account
- geography: where the discipline specializes in synthesizing knowledge from many disciplines to understand differences among places
7
Q
Multidisciplinary (3)
A
- obtain the in-depth insight of the disciplinary specialist but also gain the benefits of a broader view by drawing on specialist from various disciplines
- examine an issue and specialists work in isolation, or with others from the same discipline of profession, and provide separate reports, submitted to one person/group, who synthesizes the findings and insights
- both depth and breadth are achieved through synthesis of the findings of different specialists after they have completed their analyses
8
Q
Cross-disciplinary (3)
A
- disciplinary specialist ‘crosses’ the boundaries of other disciplines and borrows concepts, theories, methods, and empirical findings to enhance their perspective
- does not actively engage with specialist from other disciplines but simply draws on their ideas, approaches, and findings (make connections)
- can involve misunderstanding of the borrowed material, using theories, concepts, and methods out of context, and over looking contradictory evidence, tests, or explanations
9
Q
Interdisciplinary (5)
A
- disciplinary specialist crossing other disciplinary boundaries and engaging with other specialists from the very beginning of a research project
- achieve the benefit of both depth and breadth from the outset, as well as synthesis or integration
- requires more time because team of disciplinary specialists must meet and the start and then regularly throughout
- requires respect, trust, mutual understanding because one disciplinary specialist may question basic beliefs or assumptions that others take for granted
- requires patience and considerable self-confidence and a willingness to acknowledge their weaknesses
10
Q
Transdisciplinary (3)
A
- extends interdisciplinary perspective by seeking a holistic understanding that crosses/transcends boundaries of many disciplines
- the problem or issue is usually not viewed as in the domain of any one discipline or profession
- ‘health informatics’ brings together concepts and methods from medical and information sciences
11
Q
Sustainable development (3)
A
- pursue development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
- consider intra and intergenerational equity
- re-examination of and shift in current values, policies, processes, and practices
12
Q
Sustainable livelihoods (3)
A
- the conditions necessary to ensure that basic human needs are satisfied as well as other needs related to security and dignity through meaningful work
- at the same time minimizing environmental degradation, rehabilitating damaged environments, and addressing concerns about social justice
- aim to create diverse opportunities, efficiency, and sufficiency relative to basic needs while also achieving social equity and sensitivity regarding environmental integrity
13
Q
Resilience
A
The ability of a system to absorb disturbance and still retain its basic function and structure
