Module 1 - Fundamentals of Ecological Engineering

Question 1

Ecological engineering definition

Answer 1

Engineering solutions that preserve, restore
and create ecosystem services (including via
Services to Ecosystems)

Question 2

Biotic factors

Answer 2

living things

Question 3

Abiotic factors

Answer 3

non-living: physical, chemical

Question 4

Community
Ecosystem
Biosphere

Answer 4

2+ species; same location; biotic
Community + abiotic factors
Part of earth that contains living things

Question 5

Principles of ecosystem behaviour

Answer 5

1. Self-organisation
2. Diversity
3. Succession
4. Growth and development
5. Adaptation
6. Regulation
7. Reciprocity

Question 6

Self-organisation definition

Answer 6

The development of an overall (global) order which arises from local interactions between parts of an initially disordered system.

Benefits:
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts?
Ability to find balance in a dynamic environment
Increased resilience

Question 7

Emergent properties vs. Fallacy of division definition

Answer 7

Emergent properties: Properties which a collection or complex system has, but which the individual members do not have.

Fallacy of division definition : This is when it is assumed that something true for the whole must also be true of all or some of its parts.

Question 8

Succession defintion

Answer 8

Pattern of development, recovery from disturbances

1. Primary succession = initial establishment and ecosystem development
2. Secondary succession = reestablishment of ecosystem

Key features:
Species composition changes through succession
Early successional species
Late successional species

Question 9

Diversity definition

Answer 9

The variation in species and their characteristics, habitat properties

Why is diversity important?
Creates resilience in the ecosystem
Can lead to greater productivity
Different opportunities for emergence

Question 10

Adaptation definition

Answer 10

The process of change by which an organism becomes better suited to survive and grow in its environment

Question 11

Regulation definition

Answer 11

Ecosystems are controlled by a multitude of factors, each influencing the other. (Self-)regulation is:

1. The ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecosystem functioning over the long term (e.g. water, carbon and nutrient cycles)
2. Its buffer capacity against disturbances
3. Capability to adapt

Associated concepts:
Carrying capacity:
Maximum number of individuals of a species or population that a given environment can sustain
Limits:
The amount of stress that can be tolerated by living systems

Question 12

Reciprocity definition

Answer 12

Exchange between two entities for mutual benefit
Feedback and change
Cooperation vs competition

Question 13

Key Species as par of fundamental concepts

Answer 13

Indicator species: tell us the status of other species, habitat health or presence/impacts of stressors

Keystone species: impose greater effects on ecological processes than would be predicted by their abundance or biomass alone

Umbrella species: large area requirements or use multiple habitats

Link species: critical role players in transfer of matter and energy across trophic levels or within complex food web

Foundation species: create or maintain a habitat and therefore provide opportunity for other species

Ecological modifiers: alter the habitat and therefore modify the opportunities for other species

Question 14

Place - factors that influence ecological processes

Answer 14

Climatic factors
Hydrologic factors
Soil factors
Geomorphic factors
Biotic interactions

Question 15

Landscape

Answer 15

Landcover types influence ecosystem, community and population dynamics

Size
Larger areas can have more local habitat diversity -> more biodiversity
Larger areas can have more species

Shape
Edge to interior space ratio

Spatial relationships
Habitat connectivity (accessibility)
Function/services for adjacent habitats

Question 16

Bio-mimicry

Answer 16

Copying nature in engineering design

ie bumps on whales reduce turbulence; used on turbines

Question 17

Precautionary Principle

Answer 17

If an action has a suspected risk of causing harm, then in the absence of scientific consensus, the burden of proof that it is not harmful rests with those undertaking that action……

Options exploration and avoidance vs Defining acceptable risk

Question 18

Adaptive Management

Answer 18

Management framework that incorporates ongoing monitoring and evaluation to enable continuous improvements in planning and implementation of a project to meet its specified outcomes

Allows self-design to occur
The importance of monitoring and review cycles
Multi-disciplinary teams assessing feedback
Use historical data (passive) or pilot scale testing (active) to inform management decisions

Question 19

List 4 Ecosystem services

Answer 19

Provisioning services: Products obtained from ecosystems

Supporting services: “that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services

Regulating services: Benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes

Cultural services: Nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual
enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation, and aesthetic
experiences

Question 20

ecological economics vs. Conventional economics

Answer 20

ecological economics: Ecosystem costs and values included (full life cycle)

Conventional economics: Cost of products/services + transactions only
Social/perceived value (i.e. supply and demand) only
accounted for

Question 21

Input-Output Rules

Answer 21

Input rule of sustainable economies:
“Harvest rates of renewable resource inputs should be within there generative capacity of the natural system that generates them, and depletion rates of non-renewable resource inputs should be equal to the rate at which renewable substitutes are developed by human intervention and investment.”

Output rule:
“Waste emission from a project should be within the assimilative capacity of the local environment to absorb without unacceptable degradation of its future waste absorptive capacity or other important services.”

Question 22

5 Current system limitations of GDP

Answer 22

1. Lack of information
2. Externalities
3. Common access resources/sinks
4. Voluntary services/bequests not accounted for
5. Discounting the future using Net Present Value

Question 23

Development of classic economic theory occured when..

Answer 23

Evolved at a time when:

a. Human population densities were low
b. Ecological life-support systems (i.e. ecosystem services) seemed limitless

Question 24

Dichotomy of beliefs

Answer 24

A. Believe technology will develop fast enough to compensate for spent resources, or
B. Believe the planet’s capacity to absorb society’s wastes (discharges) and provide raw materials (harvests) and energy is limited and finite

Question 25

Growth vs Development

Answer 25

Growth: quantitative increase
Development: qualitative increase

Question 26

The Daly Rule

Answer 26

Never reduce the stock of natural capital below a level that generates a sustained yield unless good substitutes are available for the services generated

Question 27

Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare

Answer 27

Intended to replace GDP as an economic measure

ISEW comprised of:
Total output
+ Unpaid work
- Costs of environmental destruction and degradation
- Costs of environmental improvement measures
- Depreciation of human-made capital
± Welfare distribution effect

Question 28

Genuine Progress Indicator

Answer 28

GPI = A + B - C - D + I
Includes:
A is income weighted private consumption
B is value of non-market services generating welfare
C is private defensive cost of natural deterioration
D is cost of deterioration of nature and natural resources
I is increase in capital stock and balance of international trade

If GDP is like gross profit, then GPI is like net profit (gross minus costs incurred)