Ecology Laws

The Resource development has in impact on its environment.To understand fully this sort of impact,we must develop some knowledge of ecology,the science that studies the way organisms relate to one another and to their physical surroundings.

The Essence of Ecology LawsLaw I Everything is connected to

everything else.

Law II Everything Must go somewhere.

Law III Nature knows the best.

Law IV There is no such thing as free lunch.

The Source:Were First Formulated by Barry Commoner in 1971

The Closing Circle:Nature,Man,and Technology

Assignment

Copy the table and in each of the four rows in the first columns,write out one of Barry Commoner’s four laws of ecology.In the

corresponding rows in the second column,explain each law in your own words.In the third column,provide one

example to illustrate each law.

Read Pages 236-243 of Global ConnectionsRead Pages 236-243 of Global Connections

Laws of Ecology

Law I Law II Law III

Formulation of each Law

Explanation in your own words

Examples to illustrate each law

The essence of ecology laws( answers)

Laws of Ecology Explanation Example

Everything is connected to everything else

Nature sustains itself through an elaborate system of recycling

When one species in a food chain disappears(e.g.,high-order predators),then all members of the food chain are affected

Everything must go somewhere

In nature,nothing disappears.Matter may change form,but it is indestructible.

Toxins in a landfill do not disappear. They either stay where they are or leach our environment.

Nature knows best Natural selection is based on sustainability.Human tampering is bound to disturb an ages-old equilibrium.

Natural forest regeneration produces a far superior forest than human reforestation.

There is no such thing as free lunch

There are consequences for every action

Overfishing eventually reduces the fish populations to unsustainable levels.

Examine the case study on China’s Three Gorges Dam

Pros ( briefly list in point form the arguments in favour of the project)

1 2 3

Cons (List in point form the arguments against it)

1 2 3

Pros and Cons of China’s Three Gorges Dam (answers) 18200 MW of electricity Flood control Source of water for irrigation Creation of a deep,navigable waterway

upstream,thereby increasing trade between the interior and the coast of China,thereby increasing living standards in the interior

A reduction in the country’s reliance on coal-fired energy systems,reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases

Large financial investment Displacement of over 1 million people Flood control not as effective as reported Navigation will not be without

problems,costs,and risk Silting will create problems with the generators Built in a n active tectonic zone,leading to risk Fields downriver will be deprived of valuable silt

deposits held behind the dam Pollution from human and industrial waste will

be pumped to the lake from coastal settlement Resettled people will require new living and

farming space Reduction in river fish stocks Endangered species will come under greater

pressure to survive Alternative options may be less harmful,overall Historic and archaeological sites will be flooded