Environmental Science Concepts

These social and environmental problems opened up the eyes of many people
and developed a change in their attitudes towards science and technology. For times,
science and technology becomes the source of evil because of what it has done to the
environment. Example of this is the operation of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which
was query in the congress, delayed and then shut down because of the possibility of its
effect in the environment. Not to mention many nuclear incidents that happened in other
parts of the world. But is this really the reason behind?
The energy problem is another eye opener to man’s dependence on technology.
The possibility of limited sources of the fossil fuels becomes a reality that man should
take necessary precautions in utilizing these and its effects. These environmental
problems and issues must be dealt in relation to other social problems. It is high time for
us to put a seat and review the role of science and technology in our society. The study
of many ecological ideas and concepts, environmental issues and problems, will provide
us information for us to give focus and evaluation.
Environment covers all the things that surround us, the natural environment and
the products of man. We have been using our natural resources for quite some time but
we have little understanding of the results of the actions.

The biological spectrum is in the concept of ecology. The different levels of

organization of life start with the molecular level. Atoms and molecules are the simplest
parts of a living system, some molecules such as DNA, are found only in living things.
Life starts with protoplasm, which make up a cell. Cellular level, the smallest unit of life
capable of carrying out all the functions of living things is the cell. Tissue level, a group
of cells performing a specific function form a tissue. Organ level, an organ is a group of
different tissues that function together for a special purpose. Organ system level,
several organs working together to perform a function is an organ system or an
organism. Population level, a group of organism of the same species that live together
in a particular location is called population. Community level, all populations of different
kinds of organisms living in the same place is called a community. Ecosystem level, an
ecosystem is a community of organisms in an area, as well as the non living factors of
the environment. The ecosystem is the basic unit of ecology.
The science of ecology is like a gateway to the understanding of the interactions
of the biological, physical and social components of our environment. Only that ecology
attempts to integrate with socio-economic and political structure of the society and its
environment.
As German zoologist, Earnest Haeckel, defines it as the relationship between
organisms and their environment. Ecology is a scientific discipline interrelated with
variety fields of study. It is derived from the Greek term “oikos: meaning a house or a
place to live in, it is the interactions of organisms with one another together with their
physical and biological surroundings. Environment is the total factors acting on an
organisms or community, these includes the biotic (living) organisms like plants and
animals, and the abiotic ( non living ) factors such as air, water and soil.
Like other fields of science, ecology is governed by such laws. The simple interaction of
the biotic (living) and Abiotic ( non-living) factors enable scientist to formulate these
laws.
 These laws of ECOLOGY served as our guide to be in harmony with nature.
The first law, Everything is connected to everything else. This is best explained by
the feeding relationships in the ecosystem. Food chain and food web have always
illustrated the relationship of different organisms. The connection is also shown in
relation to abiotic components. The type of soil, weather and climate and other physical
factors affects the distribution of organism. This is also true to our social interaction.
Many people think only of themselves, for us to live in harmony, we should also
consider our brothers in the society.
Other people inadvertently destroy our ecosystem to survive, powerful people
manage and manipulate the destruction of our environment. This fact about socio-
political problem of using people must awaken us, because our progress maybe a
reality if we consider that everything is connected to everything else.

The second law, There is strength and stability in the unity of differences.
This law explains the relationships of organisms and its environment. The process of
photosynthesis enable the plant to produce the oxygen needed by the animals and in
return give off carbon dioxide, which needed by the plants in the photosynthesis
process. Also in a forest ecosystem all organisms depend directly or indirectly with one
another. The destruction of one may affect the other. For example if the birds of prey
will be eliminated there will be an increase in the rat population, which in turn may
destroy crops.
In our society, this law shows a community with people of diverse specialties or
expertise in order to sustain the varying needs of the people. People with diseases are
the concern of medical experts, education and literacy are the educators concern and
houses, and roads are the engineer’s problem.

The third law, Consumption must not exceed Production, is a basis for
democracy. In an ecosystem each member has an important task to perform for the
system to continue. In our society, for a nation to be stable, it should be ruled by the
people itself, and not by an individual.
The third law of ecology is best explained by the concept of carrying capacity of
an ecosystem. For every given ecosystem, it should have the ability to sustain life. In
forest ecosystem, the number of predators must not exceed with its prey. The ability to
provide all the necessities of life (carrying capacity) should not be exceeded by
consumption. This will remain the balance of nature. This law also explains the
concepts of limits. Our Natural resources has certain limitations, if we continue to over
use our resources of our basic needs in the end, this will lead as to scarcity of
resources.
The fourth law of ecology state that, Everything has a purpose. Many living
organisms come in many forms and sizes. These help them in their survival. Worms of
decay exist in order for the cycle of life to continue. Birds had feathers for protection.
Plants grow tall so that energy from the sun can be trap by them. In our society, we also
have our own responsibility and roles to portray to protect our rights and our
environment. Ecology is not only for students, educators, ecologist, but also for all of us
to face and solve with the different ecological problem that may arise.
Environmental principles

Many environmental problems surfaces because of the “attitudes of man”. Some

neglects and sometimes carefree of his surroundings. The process of developing
awareness, concern and knowledge of the environment and its diverse values and
processes, and learn to preserve, conserve and utilize the environment in a sustainable
manner for the benefit of present and future generations. It involves in the acquisition of
skills, motivation and commitment to work individually and collectively towards the
solution of current environmental problems and prevention of new and disastrous
issues. The goal is to develop environmentally literate and responsible citizens who
shall insure the protection of Philippine environment in order to promote and implement
sustainability, social equity and economic efficiency in the use of our natural resources.
There are environmental principles that govern the preservation of the
environment to attain better quality of life. These are; interdependence and
Interrelatedness, Diversity and Stability, Change, Balance of Nature, Finiteness of
Resources, Pollution, Stewardship and Sustainability.

Interdependence and Interrelatedness

Interdependence is a relationship between living organisms and the non living. Biotic
organisms are interdependent with their environment; the absence of one affects the
functions and existence of the others and the whole ecosystem. The food pyramid
shows how organisms are interdependent and interrelated with one another as shown in
the food chain or food web.

Diversity and Stability

Diverse community is considered a stable community. The different species present

in a community, the more stable is said community. Species diversity is measured in
terms of number and abundance of species found in a community.
A highly diverse community has large number of species. Species that have existed in a
community for a long period of time is said to have attained stability. Even with
conditions like scarcity of food and water, sickness or death, members of species have
survived. A stable ecosystem is affected by factors that cause an increase or decrease
of population size. There is counter checking of the species in the community, therefore
overpopulation is prevented.

Change

Change is basic to nature. It is understood that nothing is permanent in this world

except change. The ecosystem undergo changes, these changes affect the organisms
in it. If it is a natural change that happened in said ecosystem, its effect is less on the
organisms but if it is man-made disturbance abrupt change will occur. These will have a
bigger impact on the ecosystem. As per observation on the different disasters that
happened in all parts of the world. The root causes mostly of these are changes that
man made in the environment.
 Balance of Nature

Nature is a self-maintained and self-regulated system. There must be predators

in a forest ecosystem in order for the balance of nature is to be maintained. If predators
will be eliminated other individuals will soon become overpopulated. This would lead to
other problem related to the stability of the ecosystem. An ecosystem with abundant
resources will result in growth of population until the carrying capacity of the
environment is attained. A runaway population increase may deplete the resources.

Finiteness of Resources

Finiteness of resources means that there are limitations, boundaries to utilization.

Use of resources should be anchored on the concepts of sustainable development and
wise use. This means that even the most abundant resources may deplete as
overpopulation and overexploitation continue to happen. The fossil fuels are becoming
endangered because of natural destruction, over hunting, over using and over
harvesting. Even our potable water is becoming scarce.

Pollution
The undesirable accumulation of substances resulting in diminished quality and
usability of resources is pollution. This is found in air, in water, and in soil and may
result in many serious problems in the environment, health and economy. Air pollution is
affecting globally in terms of continuous increase in temperature and climatic changes.
Bodies of water become dumping sites of many domestic and industrial wastes, thus
making them polluted. Soils are polluted because of soil erosion, siltation and
sedimentation of rivers, lakes and streams. Other problems arise as men continue to
pollute his environment. Related topics will be discussed in the preceding chapters.

Stewardship

Stewardship of resources means efficient management by maintaining a balance

between population growth and use of resources. The natural resources that we are
enjoying are only borrowed from our creator. We are only His stewards for these
resources and we are all responsible for all the things that we do to our mother nature.
As responsible individuals, we must learn how to take care of the environment,
entrusted to us by the Creator.