Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
Ecological Systems, Introduction
Rik Leemans
It is estimated that there are roughly 8 million animal species, 600,000 fungi,
300,000 plants, and an unestimated number of microbial species on earth. It is
further estimated that only about 25% of the animal, fungi, and plant species have
been identified as yet. Further, the interactions among these species and their
physical environment are known to an even lesser degree. Meanwhile, the earth's
biota faces the prospect of climate change which may be either slow to manifest or
extremely rapid, as we pass through a potential tipping point. In addition, human
population is set to grow by two billion by 2045 from a present seven billion. This
would certainly be rated as a population explosion, and these numbers together with
expected (and hoped for) economic growth will stress the entire ecology of the
earth. The question is how to cope with all of the above. That is actually the subject
and goal of this entire
Encyclopedia
and our team of well over 700 scientists and
engineers, and also the subject of this section from an ecological systems viewpoint.
Our objective in this section is to provide a significant portion of the scientific and
engineering basis of the systems ecology of the earth and to provide this in
14 detailed entries written at a level for use by university students through
practicing professionals. Our approach is to recognize that we cannot wait for
a complete data set for the biota before assessing and planning and acting to
preserve the ecological balance of the earth. Therefore, methodology is presented
aimed at identifying the key interactions and environmental effects and enabling
a systems level understanding even at our present state of factual knowledge.
For, ease of use by students, each entry begins with a glossary of terms, while at
an average length of 20 print pages each, sufficient detail is presented for utilization
