Ecology

1. Unit VI. APPLIED ECOLOGY

2. Applied ecology is a sub-field within
ecology that focuses on the application of
ecological knowledge to address real-
world environmental challenges and
management questions.

3. 6.1 The Effects of Humans

4. 6.2 Human Population Growth
When resources are unlimited, populations exhibit (a) exponential growth, shown in a J-shaped curve.
When resources are limited, populations exhibit (b) logistic growth. In logistic growth, population
expansion decreases as resources become scarce, and it levels off when the carrying capacity of the
environment is reached. The logistic growth curve is S-shaped.

5. 6.3 Loss of Wildlife through Human Activity
 Biodiversity Loss: Wildlife populations have declined by an average of 60% over the last
four decades due to human activities.
 Habitat Destruction: Activities such as deforestation, mining, and urban expansion have
to the destruction of habitats, resulting in population declines and, in some cases,
extinction.
 Overexploitation: The overharvesting of wildlife for food, medicine, and timber is a major
driver of biodiversity loss.
 Climate Change: Human-induced climate change has led to rising sea levels, melting
glaciers, and increased global temperatures, impacting wildlife
 Invasive Species: The spread of invasive species, often due to human transport, has
disrupted native ecosystems and harmed local wildlife

6. 6.4 Patterns of Resource Use
Patterns of resource use refer to the ways in which human societies utilize the natural
resources available to them. These patterns are influenced by a variety of factors, including
technological advancements, cultural practices, economic systems, and environmental policies.
 Ecological Footprint: This is a measure of how much land and water area a human
population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes,
using prevailing technology.

7. Biocapacity
 Refers to the capacity of a given biologically productive area to
generate an ongoing supply of renewable resources and to
absorb its spillover wastes.
Global Hectare
 A unit of measurement that represents the biological productivity of an
average hectare of land

8. Ecological Debtors and Creditors
 Countries whose ecological footprint exceeds their biocapacity are
known as ecological debtors, while those whose footprint is lower tha
their biocapacity are ecological creditors.

9. 6.5 Waste and Pollution: Challenges of
Environmental Issues
 Global Waste Generation: Humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion
tons of municipal solid waste annually. When not managed properly, this waste can
emit greenhouse gases or poisonous chemicals, damaging ecosystems, causing
disease, and threatening economic prosperity.
 Food Waste: About 19% of food available to consumers is wasted each year,
contributing to 8-10% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts to combat
food waste include promoting urban agriculture, food waste composting schemes,
and encouraging consumers to buy only what they need

10.  Textile Waste: The fashion industry faces challenges with textile waste, where less
than 1% of the material used to produce clothing is recycled into new items. This
results in over $100 billion in annual material value loss and significant water
usage.
 Impact on Climate and Wildlife: Unsustainable waste disposal contributes to
climate change and affects wildlife populations. For example, 20% of human-driven
methane emissions come from waste landfills, and 91% of these emissions are
caused by open-trash incineration.
 Wastewater Pollution: Every day, 80% of the world’s wastewater is released into the
environment untreated, which has far-reaching consequences for climate resilience,
aquatic biodiversity, and food and water security.
 Planetary Crises: The “three planetary crises” of climate change, biodiversity loss,
and pollution are reinforcing each other, driving further environmental and health
damage

11. 6.6 How to Solve Ecological Problems?