Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
function. As stated above, this changes the way one must look at ecosystems, as
processors and stores of energy flow. The energy does not pass quickly through but
can remain and impact the system indirectly. The good news is that this flowwhich
remains in the system is able to positively drive ecosystem processes and contrib-
ute to the overall sustainability of the system.
However, the lesson to take is that in the design of human systems, industrial
processes are built sequentially, which have raw material
!
!
processing
product
disposal. There is little room for cycling and reuse. Remember, there
are no trash cans in nature. Everything has a use and reuse. Efforts are now seen in
industrial ecology promoting closed loop engineering and cradle-to-cradle
considerations, but there is a long way to go, as evidenced by the massive amounts
of raw material input and solid waste generated on a daily basis by human activity.
Also, the flow analysis must include all parts and processes of the holistic integrated
socio-ecological system. Future work is needed to continue to understand energy
cycles in natural systems and furthermore, how to implement lessons from these
into the design of socio-ecological systems. Ecosystem flow analysis clearly shows
the input-output orientation flow resources have at their disposal for maintaining
functional activity and can aid in sustainability science.
!
Bibliography
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