NR 288 PROFICIENCY EVALUATION STUDY
FRAMEWORK REVISED 2026.
⫸ Ecological Design. Ans: any form of design that minimizes
environmentally destructive impacts by integrating itself with living
processes
⫸ Ecological engineering. Ans: the development of sustainable
ecosystems
that integrate human society with its natural environment for the
benefit of both
⫸ Eco-Design. Ans: The integration of environmental aspects into
product design and development with aim of reducing adverse
environmental impacts throughout a products life.
⫸ Ecological Sanitation. Ans: A paradigm based on ecosystem
approaches and the closure of material flow cycles, including the safe
recycling of nutrients to crop production in such a way that the use of
non-renewable resources is limited.
⫸ Why are wetlands important?. Ans: -clean water by housing
massive microbial populations
-home to unique/rare species
-reduce runoff
, -store carbon (worlds largest carbon sink b/c of incomplete
decomposition of organic matter)
⫸ Why do so many ecological design solutions mimic wetlands?.
Ans: -avoid damage to nature
-low energy/maintenance costs (decentralized+low technology)
-can be made anywhere, with local materials and labor
-provide habitat while regulating flooding
⫸ Technological sustainability. Ans: "innovate yourself out of any
problem"
-pros: tangible, doesn't require a paradigm shift, short term
effectiveness
-cons:"band aid' solution, high cost, unintended consequences,
resource expenditure
⫸ Ecological sustainability. Ans: design sustainable alternatives to
the system
-pros: long term effectiveness, requires social change, solution
oriented
-cons: will not work if people are not on board, may require potential
action
⫸ Donella Meadows reading on Envision (1994). Ans: Vision is the
most vital step to a decision making process. If you don't know where
you want to go, it makes little difference that great progress is made.
FRAMEWORK REVISED 2026.
⫸ Ecological Design. Ans: any form of design that minimizes
environmentally destructive impacts by integrating itself with living
processes
⫸ Ecological engineering. Ans: the development of sustainable
ecosystems
that integrate human society with its natural environment for the
benefit of both
⫸ Eco-Design. Ans: The integration of environmental aspects into
product design and development with aim of reducing adverse
environmental impacts throughout a products life.
⫸ Ecological Sanitation. Ans: A paradigm based on ecosystem
approaches and the closure of material flow cycles, including the safe
recycling of nutrients to crop production in such a way that the use of
non-renewable resources is limited.
⫸ Why are wetlands important?. Ans: -clean water by housing
massive microbial populations
-home to unique/rare species
-reduce runoff
, -store carbon (worlds largest carbon sink b/c of incomplete
decomposition of organic matter)
⫸ Why do so many ecological design solutions mimic wetlands?.
Ans: -avoid damage to nature
-low energy/maintenance costs (decentralized+low technology)
-can be made anywhere, with local materials and labor
-provide habitat while regulating flooding
⫸ Technological sustainability. Ans: "innovate yourself out of any
problem"
-pros: tangible, doesn't require a paradigm shift, short term
effectiveness
-cons:"band aid' solution, high cost, unintended consequences,
resource expenditure
⫸ Ecological sustainability. Ans: design sustainable alternatives to
the system
-pros: long term effectiveness, requires social change, solution
oriented
-cons: will not work if people are not on board, may require potential
action
⫸ Donella Meadows reading on Envision (1994). Ans: Vision is the
most vital step to a decision making process. If you don't know where
you want to go, it makes little difference that great progress is made.
