Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
•
optimizing utilization of the different soil nutrients
•
enhancing food security and a balanced diet.
Gyasi (1991, 1994, 1999) has provided the following list of traditional farming
practices that enhance ecological values and sound biotic and abiotic conser-
vation:
•
intercropping and rotations incorporating useful medicinal and other natural
plants that are conserved
in situ
as part of the cropping systems
•
integration of nitrogen-fixing herbaceous and leguminous crops
•
nurturing of certain useful naturally propagated trees
•
nurturing of useful plants by both
in situ
and
ex situ
methods in home gardens
and outfields
•
prohibition of the felling of certain tree species for their spiritual, economic,
and ecological values
•
use of mounds for soil-moisture conservation
•
teaching conservation to children
•
preservation of trees and other plants whose presence is indicative of good soil,
which enhance soil moisture, or which provide ideal shading conditions for
shade-loving crops.
The thoughts behind these traditional or religious philosophies, though in some
instances shrouded in secrecy and myths to frighten people, were well intended.
They were meant to ensure a sustainable harmony of human beings with their
environment for the purpose of survival.
Though the reasons behind many of these thoughts were never explained trad-
itionally, they are now being explained scientifically. Many of these are now being
rediscovered to be used in conservation programmes.
Modern scientific philosophical thoughts on the use
of the biophysical resource
Modern scientific thought considers, as viable, a system of the environment in
which the net flow of energy and nutrients is in dynamic equilibrium with the
functions of the components of the biophysical environment. In other words,
ecosystem integrity, resulting from a healthy balance between the various physi-
cal, chemical, and biological cycles, is responsible for the contribution to life
sustenance of the biophysical environment.
The understanding of this philosophy is that there must be a direct relation-
ship between the physical cycles (including the chemical and biological
cycles), which must provide the basis for the conservation and sustainable
use of the biophysical resources. This determines how the exploitation of
the biological resources and physical resources can be conducted to ensure
sustainability.