Module 3 Aims & Introducton

Module aims

This module addresses the use of natural resources, and the impact of unsustainable use by humans. We will consider the following 5 major topics: (1) Agriculture (2) Forestry (3) Freshwater Resources (4) Oceans and (5) The Atmosphere.

 

Introduction

In this module we will be considering some of the essential goods and services provided by ecosystems and the impact that our use or consumption of these goods and services has on the environment.

As discussed in Module 1, there are a huge range of goods and services provided by the earth's ecosystems. The use or consumption of these goods and services affects the supporting ecosystems in numerous ways. However, we will only be considering a few of the basic goods and services, the ability of agricultural ecosystems and ocean fisheries to provide food, the provision and use of fresh water, the resources provided by forests and human impacts on these ecosystems, and the role of the atmosphere in providing air and a suitable climate as well as human impacts on the atmosphere.

When considering the impact of humans on ecosystems (i.e., our environment) the key factor to consider is the ability of these ecosystems to continue providing the goods and services that sustain human life. The sustainability of human resource use is an important theme that runs throughout this course, which is particularly important in this module.