Essentials of Ecology

8 CHAPTER 1 Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability

organisms interacting with one another and with their

environment of nonliving matter and energy within a

defined area or volume.

We should not confuse environmental science and

ecology with environmentalism, a social movement

dedicated to protecting the earth’s life-support systems

for us and all other forms of life. Environmentalism is

practiced more in the political and ethical arenas than

in the realm of science.

Sustainability Is the Central Theme

of This Book

Sustainability is the ability of the earth’s various nat-

ural systems and human cultural systems and econo-

mies to survive and adapt to changing environmental

conditions indefinitely. It is the central theme of this

book, and its components provide the subthemes of

this book.

Figure 1-3 Key natural resources (blue) and natural services (orange) that support and sustain the earth’s

life and economies (Concept 1-1A).

NATURAL

CAPITAL

Natural gas

Coal seam

Oil

Natural resources

Natural services

Air

Air purification

Climate control

UV protection

(ozone layer)

Soil renewal Food production

Water purification

Waste treatment

Water

Soil Land

Life

(biodiversity)

Nonrenewable

minerals

(iron, sand)

Nonrenewable

energy

(fossil fuels)

Renewable

energy

(sun, wind,

water flows)

Nutrient

recycling

Population

control

Pest

control

Solar

capital