ENVS 112

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ENVS 112 Introduction to Environmental Studies

• http//biology.kenyon.edu/courses/ENVS20112/ENVSH
  ome.html
• Section 02
• Ray Heithaus
• Higley 202, 5393

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What is environmental studies?

• The scientific study of the dynamic
  relationships and processes that occur among the
  biological and physical components of nature and
  their impact on economic and social systems at
  multiple spatial and temporal scales. (text)

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What is an Environmental Problem?

• Mean surface temperature of the oceans will rise
  1-3.5 degrees (C) by year 2100
• Hummer 2 gets 9-16 mpg
• Marked decline in amphibians worldwide
• 80 of European forests damaged by acid rain
• Wild California condors are almost gone
• 200 million hectares of forest lost in last 20
  years (in developing countries)
• Oil reserves will only last 40-50 years(est.)
• Porterhouse steak at Kroger comes wrapped in
  plastic

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Blackjack Wetlands
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seasonal shifts in water level
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Marsh marigolds specialized local
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long-tailed salamander
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flower of skunk cabbage
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green frog
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painted turtle
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Utility corridor
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BJW Aerial view 1
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BJWhydric soils
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BJWAerial view 2
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BJWAerial view 3
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Is there an environmental problem at BJW?
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What do we need to know?

• Components
• What stuff can we measure? e.g., water,
  biomass, pesticide, numbers of marigolds or
  salamanders, student visitors (education)
• Where is that stuff? compartments
• Exchanges
• How does stuff move among compartments?
• Influences
• What controls rate of movement of stuff?

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BJW System Diagram

• Outline the major components of this system
• What is the system? BJW? What does that mean?
• ID Stocks, Flows, Influences
• Where do your questions fit into this system?
• Which component is the focus of your question?
• What other components will influence the answer?
• Do other questions arise as you build the system?
• The answer to your question depends on answers to
  others?

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Sustainability

• meeting the needs of the present without
  compromising the ability of future generations to
  meet their needs.
• from Our Common Future
• Brundtland Commission, W.H.O. 1987