Appendix B

Environmental Principles and Concepts

The environmental principles examine the interactions and interdependence of human societies and natural systems. The nature of these interactions is summarized in the environmental principles and concepts that are presented below.

Principle I

The continuation and health of individual human lives and of human communities and societies depend on the health of the natural systems that provide essential goods and ecosystem services. As a basis for understanding this principle:

Concept a. Students need to know that the goods produced by natural systems are essential to human life and to the functioning of our economies and cultures.

Concept b. Students need to know that the ecosystem services provided by natural systems are essential to human life and to the functioning of our economies and cultures.

Concept c. Students need to know that the quality, quantity and reliability of the goods and ecosystem services provided by natural systems are directly affected by the health of those systems.

Principle II

The long-term functioning and health of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems are influenced by their relationships with human societies. As a basis for understanding this principle:

Concept a. Students need to know that direct and indirect changes to natural systems due to the growth of human populations and their consumption rates influence the geographic extent, composition, biological diversity, and viability of natural systems.

Concept b. Students need to know that methods used to extract, harvest, transport and consume natural resources influence the geographic extent, composition, biological diversity, and viability of natural systems.

Concept c. Students need to know that the expansion and operation of human communities influences the geographic extent, composition, biological diversity, and viability of natural systems.

Concept d. Students need to know that the legal, economic and political systems that govern the use and management of natural systems directly influence the geographic extent, composition, biological diversity, and viability of natural systems.

Principle III

Natural systems proceed through cycles that humans depend upon, benefit from and can alter. As a basis for understanding this principle:

Concept a. Students need to know that natural systems proceed through cycles and processes that are required for their functioning.

Concept b. Students need to know that human practices depend upon and benefit from the cycles and processes that operate within natural systems.

Concept c. Students need to know that human practices can alter the cycles and processes that operate within natural systems.

Principle IV

The exchange of matter between natural systems and human societies affects the long-term functioning of both. As a basis for understanding this principle:

Concept a. Students need to know that the effects of human activities on natural systems are directly related to the quantities of resources consumed and to the quantity and characteristics of the resulting byproducts.

Concept b. Students need to know that the byproducts of human activity are not readily prevented from entering natural systems and may be beneficial, neutral, or detrimental in their effect.

Concept c. Students need to know that the capacity of natural systems to adjust to human-caused alterations depends on the nature of the system as well as the scope, scale, and duration of the activity and the nature of its byproducts.

Principle V

Decisions affecting resources and natural systems are based on a wide range of considerations and decision-making processes. As a basis for understanding this principle:

Concept a. Students need to know the spectrum of what is considered in making decisions about resources and natural systems and how those factors influence decisions.

Concept b. Students need to know the process of making decisions about resources and natural systems, and how the assessment of social, economic, political, and environmental factors has changed over time.