Ecosystem, Climate Change and sustainability

1. Course Code-BBIO04E

2. Course Objectives:
Students who study this course benefit from the unique
blend of disciplines that will provide them with the skills
necessary to work in the field of environmental
sustainability and built foundation in environmental
ecology and conservation as well as an understanding of
sustainability in relation to water, agriculture,
development and energy.

3. Learning Outcomes:
After completion of the course students are expected
to be able to:
1. Learn how to solve large-scale problems using a
multitude of tools and approaches.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of comprehensive
systemic analysis across both physical and
behavioral dimensions involving society, the
environment, and the economy.
3. Identify how globalized processes impact
socioecological systems.
4. Analyze the role of environmental sustainability in
the promotion of comprehensive justice and equity.
5. Apply critical thinking skills to provide sustainable
solutions and build resilient communities.

4. Module 1: Basic concepts of sustainability
 Ecosystems and Climate Change
 Factors affecting environment and society
 Our Common Future
 Introduction to Elements of sustainable development
( Economic aspects, environmental aspect and social
aspects )

5. Topic : 1

6. What is an ecosystem ?
“An ecosystem is defined as a community of life forms in
concurrence with non-living components, interacting with
each other.”
What is an Ecosystem?
The ecosystem is the structural
and functional unit of ecology
where the living organisms
interact with each other and the
surrounding environment. In
other words, an ecosystem is a
chain of interaction between
organisms and their
environment. The term
“Ecosystem” was first coined
by A.G.Tansley, an English
botanist, in 1935.

7. Types of Ecosystem
An ecosystem can be as small as an oasis in a desert,
or as big as an ocean, spanning thousands of miles.
•Terrestrial Ecosystem :
Terrestrial ecosystems are
exclusively land-based
ecosystems. There are
different types of
terrestrial ecosystems
distributed around various
geological zones.
•Aquatic Ecosystem:
Aquatic Ecosystems
are present in a body
of water.

8. Terrestrial Ecosystem :
Forest Ecosystems Grassland Ecosystems
Tundra Ecosystems
Desert Ecosystem

9. Aquatic Ecosystem:
Freshwater Ecosystem
Marine Ecosystem

10. Structure of the Ecosystem
The structure of an ecosystem is characterised by the
organisation of both biotic and abiotic components. This
includes the distribution of energy in our environment. It also
includes the climatic conditions prevailing in that particular
environment.
Ecosystem

11. Biotic Components-
Biotic components refer to all life in an ecosystem. Based on nutrition,
biotic components can be categorised into
• Autotrophs- Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food, using
materials from inorganic sources. The word “autotroph” comes from the root words
“auto” for “self” and “troph” for “food.” An autotroph is an organism that feeds itself,
without the assistance of any other organisms.
• Heterotrophs - A heterotroph is an organism that cannot produce its own
food, instead taking nutrition from other sources of organic carbon, mainly plant or
animal matter.
• Saprotrophs (or decomposers)- Saprotroph, also called saprophyte or
saprobe, organism that feeds on nonliving organic matter known as detritus at a
microscopic level.

12. Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other organisms for food.
Consumers are further classified into primary consumers, secondary consumers and
tertiary consumers.
Primary consumers are always herbivores that they rely on producers for food.
Secondary consumers depend on primary consumers for energy. They can either
be a carnivore or an omnivore.
Tertiary consumers are organisms that depend on secondary consumers for
food. Tertiary consumers can also be an omnivore.
Quaternary consumers are present in some food chains. These organisms prey on
tertiary consumers for energy. Furthermore, they are usually at the top of a food
chain as they have no natural predators.

13. Abiotic Components
Abiotic components are the non-living component of an
ecosystem. It includes-
 Air,
 Water,
 Soil,
 Minerals,
 Sunlight,
 Temperature,
 Nutrients,
 Wind,
 Altitude,
 Turbidity, etc.

14. Functions of Ecosystem
The functions of the ecosystem are as follows:
•It regulates the essential ecological processes, supports life
systems and renders stability.
•It is also responsible for the cycling of nutrients between biotic
and abiotic components.
•It maintains a balance among the various trophic levels in the
ecosystem.
•It cycles the minerals through the biosphere.
•The abiotic components help in the synthesis of organic
components that involves the exchange of energy.

15. Important Ecological Concepts
1) Food Chain
The sun is the ultimate source of energy on earth. It provides the energy required for all plant life.
The plants utilise this energy for the process of photosynthesis, which is used to synthesise their
food.
During this biological process, light energy is converted into chemical energy and is passed on
through successive levels. The flow of energy from a producer, to a consumer and eventually, to
an apex predator or a detritivore is called the food chain.
Dead and decaying matter, along with organic debris, is broken down into its constituents by
scavengers. The reducers then absorb these constituents. After gaining the energy, the reducers
liberate molecules to the environment, which can be utilised again by the producers.

16. 2) Ecological Pyramids
An ecological pyramid is the graphical representation
of the number, energy, and biomass of the successive
trophic levels of an ecosystem. Charles Elton was the
first ecologist to describe the ecological pyramid and
its principals in 1927.
The biomass, number, and energy of organisms
ranging from the producer level to the consumer level
are represented in the form of a pyramid; hence, it is
known as the ecological pyramid.
The base of the ecological pyramid comprises the
producers, followed by primary and secondary
consumers. The tertiary consumers hold the apex. In
some food chains, the quaternary consumers are at
the very apex of the food chain.
The producers generally outnumber the primary
consumers and similarly, the primary consumers
outnumber the secondary consumers. And lastly,
apex predators also follow the same trend as the
other consumers; wherein, their numbers are
considerably lower than the secondary consumers.
For example, Grasshoppers feed on crops such as
cotton and wheat, which are plentiful.
These grasshoppers are then preyed upon by
common mice, which are comparatively less in
number. The mice are preyed upon by snakes such
as cobras. Snakes are ultimately preyed on by apex
predators such as the brown snake eagle.

17. Ecosystem and climate change
Change happens. Milankovitch Cycles
Eccentricity – more or less oval orbit, every ~100,000 years
Precession – earth wobbles on its axis, every ~23,000 years
Tilt – earth shifts its tilt every ~41,000 years

18. The average global surface temperature has risen 1.4 ºF over the past 100 years
In 2019, the average temperature across global land and ocean surfaces was
1.71°F (0.95°C) above the twentieth-century average of 57.0°F (13.9°C), making it
the second-warmest year on record.

19. Anthropogenic change?
 Global GHG emissions from human activities
increased 70%.
 Emissions of CO2 , the most important anthropogenic
GHG, grew about 80%.
 We move massive amounts of carbon into the
atmosphere.
 Fossil carbon is an addition – it has been isolated from
the carbon cycle for millions of years.
 Land cover change transfers carbon to the atmosphere.

20.  Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important heat-trapping (greenhouse) gas, which is released through
human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels, as well as natural processes such
as respiration and volcanic eruptions. The first graph shows atmospheric CO2 levels measured at
Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, in recent years, with average seasonal cycle removed. The
second graph shows CO2 levels during the last three glacial cycles, as reconstructed from ice
cores.
 Over the past 171 years, human activities have raised atmospheric concentrations of CO2 by 48%
above pre-industrial levels found in 1850. This is more than what had happened naturally over a
20,000 year period (from the Last Glacial Maximum to 1850, from 185 ppm to 280 ppm).
 The time series below shows global distribution and variation of the concentration of mid-
tropospheric carbon dioxide in parts per million (ppm). The overall color of the map shifts toward
the red with advancing time due to the annual increase of CO2.

21. Warmer temperatures
 CT temperatures increased more than 2.5°F since 1895
 Winter has warmed most
 Extremely hot days have increased
 Longer growing season.
Altered Precipitation
 CT precipitation increased nearly 3” since 1895
 Extremely high variability from year to year
 Slight decrease in spring; increase of 2” in fall
 Substantial increases in extreme rain events: 71%
increase across northeast since 1958.

22. Sea-level Rise
 Sea level rose about 1 foot since 1900
 Increases in coastal flooding
Sea level rise is caused primarily by two factors related to global warming: the added
water from melting ice sheets and glaciers and the expansion of seawater as it
warms. The first graph tracks the change in sea level since 1993 as observed by
satellites.
The second graph, derived from coastal tide gauge and satellite data, shows how
much sea level changed from about 1900 to 2018. Items with pluses (+) are factors
that cause global mean sea level to increase, while minuses (-) are variables that
cause sea levels to decrease. These items are displayed at the time they were
affecting sea level.

24. Topic-3 Our Common Future
 Brundtland Commission: Formerly known as the World Commission on
Environment and Development (WCED) the mission of the Brundtland
Commission is to unite countries to pursue sustainable development together.
Our Common Future, From One Earth to One World
I.The Global Challenge
1.Successes and failures
2.The Interlocking Crises
3.Sustainable Development
4.The Institutional Gaps
II. The Policy Directions
1.Population and Human Resources
2.Food Security: Sustaining the Potential
3.Species and Ecosystems: Resources for Development
4.Energy: Choices for Environment and Development
5.Industry: Producing More with Less
6.The Urban Challenge

25. I.International Cooperation and Institutional Reform
1.The Role of the International Economy
2.Managing the Commons
3.Peace, Security, Development, and the Environment
4.Institutional and Legal Change
4.1 Getting at the Sources
4.2 Dealing with the Effects
4.3 Assessing Global Risks
4.4 Making Informed Choices
4.5 Providing the Legal Means
4.6 Investing in our Future

26.  This Commission believes that people can build a future that is more prosperous, more just, and more
secure. Our report, Our Common Future, is not a prediction of ever increasing environmental decay,
poverty, and hardship in an ever more polluted world among ever decreasing resources. We see instead the
possibility for a new era of economic growth, one that must be based on policies that sustain and expand the
environmental resource base. And we believe such growth to be absolutely essential to relieve the great
poverty that is deepening in much of the developing world.
 The Commission's hope for the future is conditional on decisive political action now to begin managing
environmental resources to ensure both sustainable human progress and human survival. We are not
forecasting a future; we are serving a notice - an urgent notice based on the latest and best scientific evidence
- that the time has come to take the decisions needed to secure the resources to sustain this and coming
generations. We do not offer a detailed blueprint for action, but instead a pathway by which the peoples of
the world may enlarge their spheres of cooperation.

27. Introduction to Elements of sustainable development
( Economic aspects, environmental aspect and social aspects )
The concept of sustainable development is based on three main
elements: uniform economic growth, protection and preservation of the
environment, and respect and improvement of social and human rights.
Respect for individual, Equality opportunity,
Diversity, outreach programs, and Human rights
Permits and
License
compliances,
Biodiversity
management,
Emission to air,
Water and
chemical usage
and discharges
Consistent
profitable growth,
Risk management,
Total shareholder
return

29. sustainable development is of fundamental importance because:
 The use of renewable resources does not exceed their rate
of regeneration with emphasis on preservation of natural
resources. In this eco-centric approach, natural resources
are assigned an intrinsic value, independently of their
usefulness to human beings. It is a romantic vision that
sees nature as an antidote to industrialized society.
 The use of renewable resources can not exceed the
replacement rate. In this case the emphasis is on
conservation of natural resources. This approach is
deeply anthropocentric - nature has value to the extent
that sustains life and human activity is prevalent even
today.

30.  The release of harmful substances shall not exceed the
capacity of natural systems to absorb and compensate.
In this case the general welfare of the ecosystem
should be the first priority, and human aspirations and
needs to be resized and re-evaluated by the fact that
they are not a priority, but a small element among
many other items

31. Economic component
Economic development desired to produce a maximum flow of income in terms of rational use, resource
efficiency, particularly scarce resources. As a manifestation of macroeconomic dynamics, economic
development requires a set of quantitative transformations, structure and quality, both in economic and
in scientific research and manufacturing technologies in organizational structures and mechanisms of
economic functioning in thinking and people's behavior (Becker, 2001).In this approach, the main
concern is related to how countries develop their economies. It is shown that rapid economic growth with
obtaining maximum benefits, especially for developing countries, creates a heavy burden on the ability of
the planet to support. From the perspective of sustainable development, economic growth should be
such that negative environmental impact is limited. The concept of sustainable development represents a
paradigm shift in this area - sustainability is not just about pivita environmental protection but is
discussed in the context of connection with other areas, especially those involving economic activity
(Krajnc & Glavic, 2005). Therefore, development must be conceived as a process multidimensional,
involving major changes in social structures, attitudes popular and national institutions, aiming at
accelerating economic growth, reducing inequality and poverty eradication. On the one hand, the
economic dimension aims to ensure a balanced and sustainable economic environment by producing
goods and services continuously to maintain manageable levels of government and external debt and
avoid extreme sectoral imbalances affecting agriculture and production industrial, and in order to
achieve needed training a competitive industry, diversification of industrial production and attracting
investment. On the other hand, the economic dimension of the strategy is strangled by other countries
that fail to recover from the economic crisis, putting its future difficulty. Moreover, the common
objectives, they must reach a certain level joint and above this impediment can change the results
(Stefanescu et al., 2009). These issues need to be resolved in a manner that inspires even if the problems
are difficult, however, to have full exhalation solutions. Instruments that lead to economic purpose is
achieved education, scientific and intellectual potential that is available, the target technology and
natural resources, thereby triggering role in economic activity, which in turn helps in achieving the
ultimate goal of the strategy

32. Ecological component
Environment development can be defined as the ability to hold whiles the three basic functions of the
environment: the power function of resources, waste receptor function and the direct utility (Wardle &
Giller, 1996). By its complexity, ecological component of sustainable development captures not only the
actual economic development in relation to the environment, but the entire development. Ecological
development is closely correlated growth and interrelation with environmental laws, the ecological
balance. Wheeler (2004) says that currently witnessing a transition from an economic perspective toward
an environmental perspective. This dimension is oriented towards satisfying specific practical
requirements, and long, proposing harmony and complexity, excluding unilateral orientation to a branch
or another of the industry. In other words, in an area environmental development is the capacity to grow
and to bring the environment and its peculiarities, while ensuring the protection and renewal of natural
resources and environmental heritage. Environmental protection is considering physical and biological
system stability, developing their capacity to adapt to change and less conservation status considered
ideal (Bran, 1991). Assuming a complex structure, diversified term eco-development is characterized by
greater capacity according to the requirements of a stage and some major goals. It requires caution in
ecologically; stimulates the development of knowledge based on consumption, but subordinate planning
810 Dan Cristian Duran et al. / Procedia Economics and Finance 26 ( 2015 ) 806 – 811 opportunities;
expected a harmonious development, cautious, in full agreement with the possibilities at a time and in a
particular place. Thus, economic growth should not affect the environment in order to talk about
sustainable development. International organizations have proposed environmental policy, but there are
a lot of people who do not like the actions targeting the environment, on the issue as a political
commonplace. As said above ecological development is an objective of developing countries that
stretches over a long period.

33. Human component
Assuming that viable alternatives have been identified to maintain ecological balance, and authorities
everywhere so converting raw materials purchasing in material goods to be made in accordance with the
requirements for efficiency and optimality, quality of life and labor standards is the prerequisite
fulfillment and satisfaction professional, social or otherwise. Human sustainability has regard to social
interactions, relationships, behavioral patterns and values of humanity (Dempsey et al., 2011).Human
component aimed at socio-cultural stability, achieve fairness both at the same time a generation is
concerned maintaining cultural diversity "world village", as the prevention or cure of "social ills" of
contemporaneity: loneliness or alienation, lack of job satisfaction (continue under a narrowing of
specialization on the basis of "knowing more and more about less and less" that difficult for the worker to
perceive the finished product and understand the usefulness of his work), the relativism of values, the
end of history, uncertainties about the nearer future or more distant "disease" postmodern age specific.
Realizing the need for further social development (without harming the environment) is imperative to
protect and improve the state of the environment represents the only possibility to create and maintain
the welfare of both the present generation and those to come, this balance was the factor that can and
should ensure development company whole. Minica and France (2008) synthesize the human aspect of
sustainable development worldwide involves the following objectives: x Promotion of education, training
and public support for the environment x Protecting and promoting human health (focused on access to
medical facilities, especially in rural areas, control of infectious diseases, risks pollution and ecological
risk). x Fight against poverty (through access of the poor to sustainable livelihoods, promoting human
development and integrated policy investment in human capital). x Demographic threatening
sustainable development (focusing on population growth, especially in developing countries).