Chapter 2: Ecosystems and Economic Systems

Chapter 2: Ecosystems and Economic Systems

The Maasai People and the Economy of Nature

“We must put the ‘eco’ back into economics and realise what the conditions and principles are for true sustainable living.”

sustainable development

Central Question

2.1-2.4 Science

2.1 Ecosystems and economic systems are built on matter

What’s Matter Made Of?

WATER IN ITS THREE PHYSICAL STATES

Molecules and Chemical Reactions

Think About It

2.2 Energy makes matter move

Energy and Work

WORK: A MATTER OF FORCE AND DISTANCE

Forms of Energy

The Laws of Thermodynamics

gravitational potential energy

first law of thermodynamics

SOME OF THE MANY FORMS IN WHICH WE ENCOUNTER ENERGY

second law of

thermodynamics With

Think About It

2.3 Energy flows through ecosystems, while matter recycles

primary producer

photosynthesis A

gross primary production

net primary production

PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND RESPIRATION

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

CELLULAR RESPIRATION

ENERGY PYRAMID FOR THE SILVER SPRINGS, FLORIDA, ECOSYSTEM

conservation of matter

biogeochemical cycle

Material Cycling

THE CARBON CYCLE

KEY PROCESSES

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

RESPIRATION

DEPOSITION & SEDIMENTATION

COMBUSTION

VULCANISM

Think About It

2.4 Economic systems and their currencies take several forms

Economic Systems

Property

Money

Think About It

2.1-2.4 Science: Summary

2.5-2.7 Issues

ENERGY LOSSES FROM PRIMARY ENERGY SOURCE TO END USE

2.5 Energy fuels, and limits, the economy

Think About It

ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH FUELING ECONOMIC PRODUCTION

2.6 How we represent economic systems can have environmental consequences

Traditional Closed Economic Model

Open Economic Model

MODEL OF AN ECONOMIC SYSTEM AS A CLOSED SYSTEM

Think About It

2.7 Unregulated use of resources can lead to a “Tragedy of the Commons”

economic externality

common-pool resource

Think About It

2.5-2.7 Issues: Summary

2.8-2.10 Solutions

2.8 Economics should include environmental costs and benefits

Command-and-Control Regulations

Pigovian Taxes

Ecological Economics

command-and-control

environmental economics

ecological economics

ecosystem services

Think About It

2.9 Property rights can lead to environmental preservation

The Vicuña

Water Use Rights

Think About It

2.10 Alternative paths to sustainability: Tragedy of the Commons revisited

market-based approach

OVERSTOCKED AND OVERGRAZED MAASAI LANDS

Elinor Ostrom and the Commons

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF COMMON-POOL RESOURCES BY LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Think About It

2.8-2.10 Solutions: Summary

Central Question: How can linking ecology and economics help reduce societies’ environmental impacts?

2.1-2.4 Science

2.5–2.7 Issues

Ecosystems, Economic Systems, and You

Study the local and regional economics and environment.

Promote economic and environmental sustainability.

Make environmentally constructive choices.

2.8-2.10 Solutions

Answer the Central Question:

Chapter 2

Review Questions

1. Which of the following statements about matter is false?

2. Which of the following is a form of potential energy?

3. Which of these statements is true of energy flow through an ecosystem?

4. Which of the following is a consequence of the second law of thermodynamics?

5. What is an externality in an open economic model?

6. How does supply and demand influence the price of a product?

7. Which of the following does not fit the Tragedy of the Commons model?

8. Why was access to large areas with varying local climates critical to sustaining the traditional cattle-based economy of the Maasai?

9. What role did the business community play in the campaign to reduce production of CFCs?

10. What key observation inspired the economist Elinor Ostrom to challenge Hardin’s Tragedy of the Commons model?

Critical Analysis

Central Question: How can we protect species in an increasingly human-dominated world?

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