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THE UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO

College of Arts and Sciences Education

Physically Distanced but Academically Engaged

Self-Instructional Manual (SIM) for

Self-Directed Learning (SDL)

Teacher: PROF. RONNEL P. SENINING

Course/Subject: GE 15: Environmental Science

THIS SIM/SDL MANUAL IS A DRAFT VERSION ONLY, NOT FOR

REPRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OUTSIDE OF ITS INTENDED USE.
THIS IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE STUDENTS WHO ARE
OFFICIALLY ENROLLED IN THE COURSE/SUBJECT.
EXPECT REVISIONS OF THE MANUAL.
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WEEK 1-3 Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOa):

At the end of the unit, you are expected to identify the nature and scope of
environmental science as well as the basic concepts and principles, theories of
environmental science.

METALANGUAGE
In this section, the essential terms relevant to the study
of environmental science ULO-1 will be operationally defined to establish a
typical frame inthe field of natural sciences and social influences towards the
quality of life and sustainability. You will encounter these terms as we go
through environmental science studies with how people and intimately
connected and the implications of rapid population growth and towards the
environment. It involves a more comprehensive understanding ofthe ecological
problem, making judgments evaluation of different types of environmentaland
their functions. Please refer to the definition in case you will encounter difficulty
in theunderstanding of environmental science concepts.

1. Environment - it is a place where different things are such as a wet or hot

environment.
1.1. It can be living (biotic) or non-living (abiotic) community, which
includesthree essential forces: physical, chemical, and natural.

2. Science defines the systematized body of knowledge that builds and

organizesa lot of information in a different form of testable experiments and
predictionsabout everything in the universe.

3. Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary academic field in science

thatintegrates all the physical, biological, and information to the study of
the environment, and the solution to environmental problems.

4. Ecology is a branch of biology concerning interactions among organisms,

and their biophysical environment includes both biotic and abiotic
components.

5. Chemistry. The study of matter, its properties, how and why substances
combine or separate to form other elements, and how elements interact
with energy.

6. Biodiversity is a group of different individual life that inhibit the plant EArth.
That varies on their genetic component and adaptation to the environment.
6.1. In the terrestrial biodiversity is composed of animals on land usually
greater near the equator, which is an indicator of the warming of the
climate.

7. Habitat is considered an environment is naturally occurring to a

specificorganism to survive.
7.1. A species habitat is those places where the species can find food,
shelter,protection, and mates for reproduction.
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7.2. Both physical and biological features characterize it.

8. Sustainability. The ability of a system to exist continually at a cost, in a

universe that evolves in the state of entropy toward the thermodynamic
equilibrium of theplanet.
8.1. In the 21st century, it generally refers to the capacity for the
biosphereand human civilization to coexist.

9. Ethics is a branch of philosophy that could somehow be systematized,

defend,recommend, and identify what right and wrong behavior is.

10. For the environmental Ethics is a discipline in philosophy that studies or

focuson the moral relationship among human beings to the value and moral
status ofthe environment, which includes plants and animals.

11. The ecosystem is a community comprised of living organisms in

conjunction orin relationship with the nonliving components of their specific
environment that
interact with each other.

12. Photosynthesis. It is the process of all plants that transform into the release
of energy ATP. During this process, the light energy of the sun is captured.
Thereis a conversion of water, some mineral and carbon dioxide, and a certain
amountof oxygen needed by animals to survive.

13. A species is a basic unit of classifying and identifying the taxonomic rank of
anorganism, as well as a unit of biodiversity.

14. Food Chain. A linear network of links in a food web starting from producer
organisms and ending at apex predator species, detritivores, or
decomposer species.

15. Food Web. The natural interconnection of food chains and a graphical
representation of what-eats-what in an ecological community.
15.1. Another name for the food web is the consumer-resource system.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
To perform the aforesaid big picture (unit learning outcomes) for the first
three (3)weeks of the course, you need fully understand the following essential
knowledge that willbe laid down in the succeeding pages. Please be reminded
that you are not limited to referto these resources exclusively. Thus, you are
expected to utilize other books, research articles, and other available
resources in the university library. e.g., e-library, search.proquest.com, etc.

To ensure a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations, we

need to understand something about how our world works, what we are doing
to it, and what wecan do to protect and improve it. The word “science” is
simply an anglicized version of the Latin “Scientia," which means knowledge.
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Environment. It is defined as the circumstances surrounding an organism

or group of organisms or the complex social or cultural conditions
affecting each organism in the given biotic and abiotic community.
However, human being inhabits the naturalworld, as well as the, built the
environment or the technological, social, and culturalworld, all constitute
essential parts of our environment.

Environmental Science it is the systematic study of our environment and

our proper place in it. A highly interdisciplinary, integrating natural
sciences, social sciences,and humanities in a broad, holistic study of the
world around us. It is the foundation is ecology and is more concerned
on human impact on the environment.

Kinds of knowledge contribute to solution in Environmental Science

Goal:

Clean Energy Future

1. Ecology. How foes energy production affects populations?

2. Chemistry. How can we make better batteries?
3. Urban Planning. What urban designs can reduce energy use?
4. Sociology. How do people adopt new ideas?
5. Political Science. Which policies lead to sustainable solutions?
6. Engineering. Can we design better vehicles?
7. Economics. What are the benefits and costs of energy sources?

HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTALISM

Environmentalism encompasses environmental health and protection and depicted

as an ideology, philosophy, and social movement, including all aspects covering the
changing environment of the Earth. It began after the industrial revolution when there
was an increase of smoke pollution and chemical discharge which led to the formation
of modern environmental laws. In 1863, Britain’s Alkali Acts were passed to combat air
pollution. In 1898, Coal Smoke Abatement Society was established in response to coal
combustion leading to heavy smoke in industrial cities. After World War II, the
industrialization expansion was stupendous that led to economic development and
brought nature degradation. With each passing day, the people became environmentally
conscious. With this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1948
was created to protect and preserve nature in its original form. The Clean Air Act 1956
was formed following the London Smog Episode (Great Smog of London) 1952. It initially
aimed to limit air pollution by controlling the emission of air pollutants.

During 1960-1970 marks the beginning of Modern Environmental Movement and the
establishment of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) which was created to protect animals and
places from human developmental activities. The Green Revolution in Agriculture 1966
was initiated to understand the negative impacts of uncontrolled and unregulated use of
pesticides and fertilizers on the environment. It was intended on improving agriculture
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using environmental-friendly techniques. Other environmental movements flourished

during this decade such as NEPA (1969) which aimed to ensure environmental health
by negotiation policies and acts; US EPA which was created in 1970 to monitor human
activities that are negatively impacting the environment of the Earth; and Greenpeace
(1971), a campaign of committed individuals who tried to stop the American Nuclear
Weapon test.

Environmental Justice Movement (1980) is an international movement that aims to

encourage social, economic, and environmental justice by identifying the connection
between health and environmental issues began in response to the unjust treatment of
low-income communities that were exposed to environmental pollution. Thereafter,
many conferences were organized that included Stockholm conference in 1972 (United
Nations Conference on the Human Environment, 1972), Montreal protocol in 1987 (The
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 1987), and Kyoto
protocol in 1997, etc. People became more cognizant of the environmental problems
attributed by industrialization. The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 was a massive
environmental issue. Hence, the Brundtland Report in 1987 (Our Common Future, 1987)
brought more consciousness among people and the Earth Summit in 1992 discussed
the socio-economic development along with ways to solve problems concerning
environmental protection.

Environmentalism in the new millennium kicked off with the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) 2000 which based on eight goals to be achieved before 2015 which was
reenforced with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in 2015 as set during the
United Nation General Assembly to be achieved before 2030 that aims for the future
through sustainable approaches. The second Earth Summit which was dubbed as the
World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in 2002 to discuss and organize
sustainable development approaches. The key focus was solving problems of the
growing population along with increasing demand for energy, water, and food resources.
International environmental treaties were also established such as Stockholm
Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2001 which aimed to reduce or limit the
production, manufacturing, and utilization of persistent organic pollutants; and the Paris
Agreement in 2015 that aimed to limit the global emission of greenhouse gases to reduce
rising global temperature, mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Currently, various conferences were held at various locations around the world to
discuss ongoing environmental crises and possible sustainable approaches.
Environmentalism is constantly developing and dealing with new environmental
concerns including plastic pollution, genetic engineering, global warming,
overpopulation, etc.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

It studies the ethical basis of environment or discussion of the ethical basis

of environmental protection. It also deals with the moral relationship of human
beings to and the value and moral status of the environment and its nonhuman
content. The ways we interpret environmental issues, or our decisions about
what we shouldor should not do with natural resources, depend partly on our
underlying worldviews. Perhaps you have a primary ethical assumption that
you should be kind to your neighborsor try to contribute in positive ways to your
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community. Moral views in society also changeover time. In ancient Greece,

many philosophers who were concerned with ethics and morality owned
slaves; today, few societies condone slavery. Most societies now believe itis
wrong, or unethical, to treat other humans as property.

The Greeks granted moral value, or worth, only to adult male citizens
within theircommunity. Women, slaves, and children had few rights and were
essentially treated as property. Over time we have gradually extended our
sense of moral value to a broader circle, an idea known as ethical extensions.

These philosophical questions are not merely academic or historical. In

2004, the journal science caused a public uproar by publishing a study
demonstrating that fish feel pain. Many recreational anglers had long managed to
suppress worries that they were causing pain to fish. The story was so unsettling
that it made national headlines and provoked fresh public debates on the ethics of
fishing. How we treat other people, animals, or things, can also depend on whether
we believe they have inherent value—an intrinsic right to exist, or instrumental
value (they have value because they are useful to someonewho matters). If I hurt
you, I owe you an apology. If I borrow your car and smash it into a tree, I don't owe
the car an excuse. I owe you an apology—or reimbursement.

Environmental Ethics and Principle:

1. Profound respect for nature
2. Maintain a harmonious relationship with other species
3. Take responsibility for the impact on nature
4. Local and indigenous environmental knowledge should be respected
5. Plan for the long term

MATTER, ENERGY, AND LIFE

Matter. It is anything that can occupy space and has a mass. Solid, liquid, gas,
plasma, and Bose Einstein Condensate are the phases of matter that constitute the
arrangement of the structures and properties of atoms. All life is made of matter. It cannot
be created nor destroyed, recycled nor transformed as stated in the Law of Conservation
of Matter. Energy provides the force to hold matter together, tear it apart, and move from
one place to another. The energy in moving objects is called Kinetic Energy, the stored
energy, latent and ready to use is called Potential Energy, and the energy stored in food
or carbon compounds is called Chemical Energy. Conservation of matter has a direct
bearing on human relationship with the biosphere since we use natural resources to
produce a tremendous amount of disposable goods such as Styrofoam cups, plastics
bags and other synthetic items that aggravate the garbage problem which eventually
becomes a major and permanent pollutants.

Thermodynamics and Energy Transfers

The study of thermodynamics deals with how energy is transferred in natural

processes. It deals specifically with the relationships of heat, work, and energy.
Ecosystem dynamics are governed by physics laws, including the law of conservation of
matter and the laws of thermodynamics. The recycling of matter is the basis of the cycles
of elements that occur in the ecosystems such as solar energy enters the system and is
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converted to chemical energy through photosynthesis. Likewise, the chemical energy

stored in the bonds that hold the food molecules together is available for the metabolism
of organism.
The dynamic balance or homeostasis of organisms and ecosystems centers
around an optimum stage that is best suited for the healthy existence of the living system.
Homeostasis which means “to stand equally” refers to the dynamic balance in a living
ecosystem. When a living ecosystem is active, the condition in it is change continuously
in response to many environmental stimuli. It is a condition of fluctuating balance
centered on some ideal state or optimum. This dynamic balance is maintained by active
and opposing adjustments and compensation.

Laws of Thermodynamics

Atoms and molecules cycle endlessly through organisms and their

environment, butenergy flows in a one-way path. A constant supply of energy—nearly
all of it from the sun—isneeded to keep biological processes running. Energy can
be used repeatedly as it flows through the system, and it can be stored
temporarily in the chemical bonds of organic molecules, but eventually, it is
released and dissipated. The study of thermodynamics deals with how energy is
transferred to natural processes. More specifically, it deals with the flow rates and
the transformation of energy from one form or quality to another.
Thermodynamics is a complex, quantitative discipline regarding the relationship
between heat, work, and energy. Heat is the transfer or flow of energy because
of temperature difference. Work is the transfer of energy that is not due to a
difference in temperature. However, both heat and work are significant type of
energy transfer in organisms and ecosystem.

The first law of thermodynamics states that energy is conserved; that is, it is
neither created nor destroyed under normal conditions. Energy may be
transformed, for example, from the energy in a chemical bond to heat energy, but
the total amount does not change.

The second law of thermodynamics states that, with each successive

energytransfer or transformation in a system, less energy is available. That
is, energy isdegraded to lower-quality forms, or it dissipates and is lost, as it
is used. When youdrive a car, for example, the gas's chemical energy is
degraded to kinetic energy and heat, dissipating, eventually, to space. The
second law recognizes that disorder,or entropy, tends to increase in all-natural
systems.

Ecological Organization

While cellular and molecular biologists study life processes at the

microscopic level, ecologists study interactions at the species, population,
biotic community, or ecosystem level. Species refers to all organisms of the
same kind that are genetically similar enough to breed in nature and
produce live, fertileoffspring. Organisms occur in populations, communities,
and ecosystems. A population consists of all the members of a species living
in each area at the same time. All the populations of organisms living and
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interacting in a particular area make up a biologicalcommunity. An ecological

system, or ecosystem, is composed of a biological community and its physical
environment. The environment includes abiotic factors (nonliving
components), such as climate, water, minerals, and sunlight, as well as biotic
factors, suchas organisms, their products (secretions, wastes, and remains), and
effects in each area.

Energy Flow through Ecosystems

The movement of energy through a living system begins with the capture
of sunlight by primary producers, then energy flows through food chains and food
webs in a steady “one way stream”. As it flows, energy is alternately stored and
used to power the life processes of animals through which it moves. The energy
captured by producers and consumers is temporarily stored until one organism
eats another. Each of this storage steps along a food chain or food web are called
a trophic level. The producers represent the first trophic level, herbivores, occupy
the second; carnivores that eat herbivores form the third trophic level, and so on.

There are practical limitations of trophic levels. Every time one organism
eats another, only a small fraction of energy present in the lower trophic level is
stored in the next higher level. Using the ecological rule of 10 or the 10% rule, an
average of only about 10% of energy fixed by plants is ultimately stored by
herbivores. Only 10% of the energy that herbivores accumulate ends up being
stored in the living tissues of carnivores that eat them. And only 10% of that energy
is successfully converted into living tissues by carnivores on the third trophic level.
This inefficient energy chains are called ecological pyramids.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ecological+pyramid&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwissPn-
xZr5AhWlnFYBHbE5B-EQ_AUoAXoECAIQAw&biw=1242&bih=597&dpr=1.1#imgrc=TPHhniLCofYvWM&imgdii=L1i-
Xe5SQXA_JM

Food Chains and Food Web

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Matter and energy are processed through the trophic levels of an

ecosystem via food chains and food web. At each energy transfer point, less
energy is available to do work. So, energy must be supplied to an ecosystem
continuously. A primary producer, a herbivore, and a carnivore form a simple
chain.

https://www.google.com/search?q=food+chainvs+food+web&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwii3biFyJr5AhWGSJQKHaIrDL4Q2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=food+chainvs+food+web&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIGCAAQChAYOgcIABCxAxBDOgQIABBDOgUIABCABFD
pGViML2DWOmgBcAB4AIABwQGIAfwEkgEDMC40mAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=4vfhYqLkJ4a
R0QSi17DwCw&bih=597&biw=1226&hl=en#imgrc=8J2WpAHEoC7G0M

Take notice of all the animals and plants in most ecosystems, we can see that
feeding relationships usually weave numerous organisms into large, complex, and
dynamic networks called food webs, in which many animals eat several different kinds
of food.

SELF HELP
You can refer to the sources below to help you further understand the lesson.

Ahmad, P., Ahanger, M., Alyemeni, M. & Alam, P., 2019. Photosynthesis, Productivity,
and Environmental Stress. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., USA.

Guzman, R.S., 2018. Environmental Science: Towards a Sustainable Earth. Vibal

Group, Quezon City, Philippines.

Murray, D., 2017. The Global and the Local: An Environmental Ethics Casebook. Brill.
Netherlands.

Nadeem, F., Bhatti, A., Hanif, M., Tauqueer, H., 2020. Environmental Chemistry. A
Comprehensive Approach. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. USA.
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Scotford, E., 2017. Environmental Principles and the Evolution of Environmental Law.
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. United Kingdom.

LET’S CHECK
Activity No. 1. Now that you have known the most essential terms in the
study of environmental science. Let us try to check your understanding of these terms.
In the space provided, write the terms, being asked in the following statements:
__________1. It refers to the systematic study of our environment andour place
in it.

__________2. An interdisciplinary science integrating natural sciences, social

sciences, and humanities in broad study of the world around us.

__________3. The circumstances or conditions that surrounds anorganisms or

group of organisms or the complex of social or cultural conditions that
affect an individual or community.

__________4. It is a movement created to protect animals and places from

human developmental activities.

__________5. It is an international movement that aims to encourage social,

economic, and environmental justice.

__________6. Refers to systems that receive inputs from surroundings and

produce outputs that leave the system.

__________7. It is a law which states that energy is degraded to lower- quality forms,
or it dissipates and is lost, as it is used.

__________8. It consists of all the members of a species living in each area at

the same time.

__________9. It is an inefficient energy chain.

__________10. It is a feeding relationship usually weave numerous organisms into

large, complex, and dynamic networks.

LET’S ANALYZE
Activity No. 1. Getting acquainted with the essential terms in studying
environmental sciences will not be sufficient. What matters is that you should
be able to discuss the inter- relationship environment, development, social
progress, and environmental ethics. Now, I will require you to explain your
answers thoroughly.
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1. Define environmental science and identify some important environmental

concernswe face today. Should environmental science include dimensions?
Explain.

2. What is science? Identify and discuss some of its basic

principles.

3. Draw a diagram showing the difference between a food chain from a food web.

4. Why is ethics being studied in environmental science. Cite

examples.

IN A NUTSHELL
Activity No. 1. Environmental science is an interdisciplinary science that
ensures a holistic study and understanding of the natural scope of
environmental science and its whole systems. The study of the environment
and human dimensions is an integral part requiresdeeper understanding on
the role of human towards sustainability as well as the sustainable use of
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resources and the growing issue and conflicts between the social,
economic, and environment. Based on the definitions and the essential
elements in the study of environmental and the learning exercises that you
have done, please feel free to indicateyour arguments or lessons learned
below.

1. The environment is a complex system where people and nature are intertwined,
andthe unprecedented growth rate of the human population is the underlying
global environmental problem.

2. Ethics and faith base perspectives often inspire people to engage in natural
resource conservation and management, which eventually influences decision
making about environmental issues, which involves society, politics, culture,
economics, values, and scientific information.

YOUR TURN

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.
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9.

10.

Q & A LIST
Do you have any questions for clarification?

Questions/ Issues Answers

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

KEYWORD INDEX
Environmental Science Conservation Species
Population Ethics Community
Ecological Systems Energy Niche
Climate Change Ecological Pyramid Habitat