BIOLOGY
YEAR 2
QUARTER 2
2019/2020
Man and the
environment
SUMMARY OF THE COURSE MAN AND ENVIRONMENT
NWI-BB071B
ELISE REUVEKAMP
,Inhoud
Introduction............................................................................................................................................2
Climate change.......................................................................................................................................2
Chemical pollution..................................................................................................................................9
Bio-invasions........................................................................................................................................16
Habitat loss and fragmentation............................................................................................................22
, Introduction
Key characteristics of an environmental problem:
1. Caused directly/indirectly by humans
2. Societal problem
3. High complexity
4. High uncertainty
5. Interdisciplinary approach
DPSIR = Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response
- The earlier the interference in the DPSIR framework the better an environmental problem is
solved
Environmental problems history:
- Rachel Carson → detrimental effects on the environment by the use of pesticides
- Club of Rome → there are limits to growth
- Johan Rockstrom and Will Steffen → Planetary boundaries
- Brundtland → sustainable development
Sustainable development: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Climate change
2.3.1 The DPSIR framework
The DPSIR framework is an environmental cause-effect chain which will help to analyse
environmental problems.
Pressure: the pressure exerted on the environment because of this need
State: physical/chemical change and biological change → a variable (CO2 concentration)
Impact: the effect of the state on man and ecosystems
Response: humans respond and try to reduce the driver, pressure, state and/or impact
Example → humans have the need to be mobile and therefore need transport (driver), the emission
of particulates from burning transport fuel exert pressure, this results in higher concentrations of
particulates in the air and in lungs of humans and animals (state), this effects the lungs by respiratory
damage and illness (impact). So in response to reduce the environmental problem humans use less
transport(driver) and install filters in cars (pressure), filter air or wear facemasks (state) or use
medical treatment (impact).
YEAR 2
QUARTER 2
2019/2020
Man and the
environment
SUMMARY OF THE COURSE MAN AND ENVIRONMENT
NWI-BB071B
ELISE REUVEKAMP
,Inhoud
Introduction............................................................................................................................................2
Climate change.......................................................................................................................................2
Chemical pollution..................................................................................................................................9
Bio-invasions........................................................................................................................................16
Habitat loss and fragmentation............................................................................................................22
, Introduction
Key characteristics of an environmental problem:
1. Caused directly/indirectly by humans
2. Societal problem
3. High complexity
4. High uncertainty
5. Interdisciplinary approach
DPSIR = Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response
- The earlier the interference in the DPSIR framework the better an environmental problem is
solved
Environmental problems history:
- Rachel Carson → detrimental effects on the environment by the use of pesticides
- Club of Rome → there are limits to growth
- Johan Rockstrom and Will Steffen → Planetary boundaries
- Brundtland → sustainable development
Sustainable development: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Climate change
2.3.1 The DPSIR framework
The DPSIR framework is an environmental cause-effect chain which will help to analyse
environmental problems.
Pressure: the pressure exerted on the environment because of this need
State: physical/chemical change and biological change → a variable (CO2 concentration)
Impact: the effect of the state on man and ecosystems
Response: humans respond and try to reduce the driver, pressure, state and/or impact
Example → humans have the need to be mobile and therefore need transport (driver), the emission
of particulates from burning transport fuel exert pressure, this results in higher concentrations of
particulates in the air and in lungs of humans and animals (state), this effects the lungs by respiratory
damage and illness (impact). So in response to reduce the environmental problem humans use less
transport(driver) and install filters in cars (pressure), filter air or wear facemasks (state) or use
medical treatment (impact).
