Environmental Science

A Study of Interrelationships

Cui Jiansheng
Hebei University of Science and Technology

Why bilingual
Using international textbook, know what are main
concerns of environmental science on the world
Know what are your competitor from abroad doing
Keep your English warming

Contact information
88632157
Cuijiansheng@hebust.edu.cn
Room 421

Features of the text book

and how to learn
English using is encouraged but effective
communication is the most important
Course prepare is good way to get more
outcome
Read more, you get more

Our Textbook
Environmental Science
A Study of
Interrelationships
11th Edition
McGraw Hill Higher
Education
2008

Reference Books
Environmental Science
Andrew R.W.Jackson
2001

Environmental Science
William P.CunninghamMcGraw-Hill
1997

1997

.R.

2002

Preface
Why "A Study of Interrelationships?"

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field.

Because environmental disharmonies occur as a result
of the interaction between humans and the natural
world.
we must include both when seeking solutions to
environmental problems.
It is important to have a historical perspective,
appreciate economic and political realities, recognize
the role of different social experiences and ethical
backgrounds, and integrate these with the science that
describes the natural world and how we affect it.

About the Authors

A emeritus professor of
biology at Delta College;
Received B.A. and M.S. degrees from
University of Michugan ;
Taught biogology, zoology, environmental
science, and several other courses;
An advocate for variety in teaching
methodology;
Eldon D. Enger

Received some Awards;

Personal status

About the Authors

A Dean of Huxley College of
Environmental Studies at Western
Washington University;
A professor of political science and
environmental studies;
Has Considerable international experience;
A member for many environmental
organizations boards;
Bradley F. Smith

Received B.A.,M.A. and Ph.D. from the

University of Michigan;
Personal status.

CH01 Environmental

Interrelationships

Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
Understand why environmental problems are complex and
interrelated.
Realize that environmental problems involve social, ethical,
political, and economic issues, not just scientific issues.
Understand that acceptable solutions to environmental problems
are not often easy to achieve.
Understand that all organisms have an impact on their
surroundings.
Understand what is meant by an ecosystem approach to
environmental problem solving.
Recognize that different geographic regions have somewhat
different environmental problems, but the process for resolving them
is the same and involves compromise.

Chapter Outline
The Field of Environmental Science
The Interrelated Nature of Environmental Problems
Environmental Close-Up: Science Versus Policy
Global Perspective: Fish, Seals, and Jobs
An Ecosystem Approach
Regional Environmental Concerns
Environmental Close-Up: Headwaters Forest
The Wilderness North
The Agricultural Middle
Environmental Close-Up: The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
The Dry West
The Forested West
The Great Lakes and Industrial Northeast
The Diverse South

The Field of Environmental Science

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary area of

study that includes both applied and theoretical aspects
of human impact on the world.
Since humans are generally organized into groups,
environmental science must deal with politics, social
organization, economics, ethics, and philosophy.
Thus, environmental science is a mixture of
traditional science, individual and societal values, and
political awareness.

agriculture

physics

chemistry

engineering

computers
biology

economics

Environmental
Science

ethics
psychology
sociology

philosophy
politics

Decisions
Decisions

The Interrelated Nature of Environmental Problems

Environment is everything that affects an organism

during its lifetime. From a human perspective,
environmental issues involve concerns about science,
nature, health, employment, profits, politics, ethics, and
economics.
Most social and political decisions are made with
respect to political jurisdictions, but environmental
problems do not necessarily coincide with these
artificial political boundaries.
Because of all these political, economic, ethical, and
scientific links, solving environmental problems is
complicated.

The Four Hs: Human Activities That Affect Wild Salmon Survival

Harvest
Harvest

Hatcheries
Hatcheries

Habitat
Habitat

Hydropower
Hydropower

An Ecosystem Approach

An ecosystem is a region in which the organisms and

the physical environment form an interacting unit.
The natural world is organized into interrelated unites

called ecosystem.
A ecosystem is a region in which the organisms and
the physical environment form an interacting unit.
Large ecosystems always include smaller ones.
Ecosystems sometimes have fairly discrete boundaries.
An ecosystem approach requires a look at the way
natural world is organized.

Regional Environmental Concerns

No region is free of environmental concerns. Most
regions tend to focus on specific, local environmental
issues that apply directly to them.
Here we present a number of regional vignettes to
illustrate the complexity and interrelatedness of
environmental issues.

The Wilderness North

site: much of Alaska and North Canada
Owned by: government
Economic value: their trees, animals, scenery, and
other natural resource.
The opinions of economic decision from native people,
concerned citizens, business interests and environmental
activists.

The wilderness North

Walrus harvesting

The wilderness North

A clear-cut forest

The wilderness North

Grizzly bear
fishing for salmon

The Agricultural Middle

site: the middle of North American Continent
Owned by: privately
Economic value: agriculture
Nonpoint pollution source is agriculture.
Organic agriculture, Organic food

The Agricultural Middle

A well-kept farm

The Agricultural Middle

Agricultural chemicals

The Agricultural Middle

Barges loaded with grain

The Dry West

Site: the drier portions of western North
America
Most owned by: government
Economic value: ranching and raising livestock
Government agencies have seriously
mismanaged. Water is a extremely valuable resource
for cities and agriculture. Conflict between the
economic management and desire to preserve.

The Dry West

Irrigation water and electrical generation

from Glen Canyon Dam

The Dry West

Bryce Canyon

The Dry West

Wilderness area

Overgrazed land

The Forested West

site: the costal areas and mountain ranges of the
western U.S. and Canada.
Most owned by: government and large
commercial timber companies
Economic value: forest
Policy change of timber-cutting rights
The concerning of environmental interests

The Forested West

Cut logs being hauled

Native elk

U.S. Forest
Service ownership

The Great Lakes and Industrial Northest

Site: the costal areas and mountain ranges of the western
U.S. and Canada.
One of the major resources : water transport.
One of the great problems :contamination of the water with
toxic materials.
A major concern: pollutants bioaccumulate in the food
chain.
Conflict about the use of the water

Central Park in New York

The Great Lakes and the Industrial Northeast

Harbor in Duluth,Minnesota

Inner-city decay in Chicago

The Diverse South

A microcosm of all the regions

Some areas: extremely rapid population growth
Many areas: poverty has been a problem
major concern: the use of coastline

The Diverse South

Miami metropolitan area

Everglades
Fertilizer plant
Mississippi Chemical's
at night Mississippi nitric acid plant

Chemical plant on lower Mississippi