Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Practices
Natural Resources and Sustainable Development
Appeal: “Resources” is what humans get from nature to meet their needs. As available, we can distinguish between:
- Renewable resources: Limited quantities that may end.
- Non-depleting renewable resources: For example, the sun. These resources regenerate.
- Potentially renewable resources: Found in nature, but if overused, they can become exhausted. For example, fishing.
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising future ones. It involves a balance between ecological and social aspects, development and maintenance of nature, outcome, quality of life, survival of the next generation, and fair distribution of resources. It also preserves the planet.
Ecological Footprint
The “ecological footprint” is the ability of an ecosystem to sustain life. It depends on who lives in it, the vegetation, and the competition between species. There is a marker, the Ecological Footprint (EF), that applies to species, especially the impact on humans. It evaluates the land. The EF is the territory we need to produce the resources that meet our needs and assimilate the wastes generated. It is expressed in hectares per person. For example, the USA has a footprint of 10, while India’s is 0.8.
If biocapacity cannot support the footprint, there is an ecological deficit. Developed countries often operate on land in other countries. There are 3 hectares per person available, but only 2 are land, meaning we would need to average, as the current situation is not sustainable.
Principles of Sustainable Development
Ecological, social, and economic sustainability are key. Activities should have costs that do not exceed the benefits, and wealth and resources should be distributed fairly. Operating principles include:
- Sustainable extraction: Extraction should be lower than regeneration.
- Sustainable emptying: Exploitation of non-renewable resources is sustainable when the extraction rate equals the creation of new resources. For example, extracting oil and planting trees.
- Sustainable integration: Cities should not exceed the carrying capacity of their environment.
- Sustainable broadcast: Waste emitted should be kept under the assimilation capacity of the territory.
- Precautionary models: Models should be used to avoid catastrophes.
- Zero broadcast: Completely reduce toxic emissions of heavy metals.
- Sustainable technology promotion: Promote efficient technologies, such as light bulbs and recyclable products.
Water
Water makes up 70% of the planet. Liquid sustains life. Most of it is saltwater. Only a small portion is freshwater, and we use some of that for drinking water. The available amount of potable water has decreased due to increased population and agricultural needs. Water is renewable but limited and restricted, which slows societal development. Two million people suffer from water shortages.
Uses of Water
If water is used and cannot be reused, it is considered consumptive use (e.g., agriculture). If it is reusable (e.g., navigation), it is considered non-consumptive use. Consumption has increased in agriculture, livestock, and irrigation. In industries, water is used for manufacturing, cleaning, and cooling. In cities, water use is commensurate with size and development.
Overexploitation of Water
We are using more and more water. A person needs 1.5 liters per day, but in developed countries, consumption can exceed 300 liters. Water is obtained from rivers or underground sources. If usage is less than the rate of renewal, the regions are conserved. If not respected, groundwater levels decrease, and reserves are overexploited. Water is extracted from aquifers faster than they can recharge. If this continues, they can become depleted. This is common as cities grow, irrigation increases, and areas experience scarcity.
Water Management
Water management involves planning and using sustainable development measures:
- Savings: Reduce consumption through more efficient use, such as reducing farm usage, improving irrigation, and using crops adapted to the area. Industrial technologies should use less water and recycle more. Urban consumer appliances should consume less, and water should be purified. Adequate pricing is also important.
- Techniques: Implement works to increase available water, although these can be expensive. Examples include dams, reservoirs, water transfers, and desalination.
- Rain policies: Establish laws and agreements to address the problem, such as conferences between countries. For example, the Dublin conference recognized that water is vulnerable and limited.
Biodiversity
Earth has 1.8 million known species. Biodiversity is the variety of organisms and ecosystems in an area. Protecting it is important as it provides us with resources, maintains atmospheric gases, and regulates the water cycle.
Soil
Soil covers the Earth and is composed of minerals, living organisms, organic matter, and water. Soil contains approximately 45% minerals, 25% air, 25% water, and 5% organic matter. Plants grow in it. Soil is important for agriculture. The layers of soil are called horizons, which constitute the profile of each soil type.
Agricultural Resources
Agricultural resources depend on soil, water, and biodiversity. For a long time, agriculture was primarily for subsistence. Environmental knowledge has progressed, leading to intensive agriculture. Only 10% of the cultivable area is suitable for this, making artificial irrigation, deforestation, and fertilizers necessary. These practices can have negative consequences. Irrigation uses a lot of water, crops are lost if there is no water, the soil becomes poor, pests increase, and fertilizers pollute.
Ecological Agriculture
Ecological agriculture uses production systems that respect development and support the health of the farm and the environment. It uses natural resources without chemicals or GMOs. Organic food is obtained, and the soil and environment are conserved. It is based on using renewable products, exploiting fossil fuels less, improving irrigation, and using natural fertilizers and pest control. It also promotes organic livestock with animals in open spaces and natural feeding.