A Comprehensive Guide to Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences

Environmental science and natural resource science are two closely related fields that study the environment and the natural resources that we depend on. Environmental science focuses on the physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in the environment, while natural resource science focuses on the management and conservation of natural resources, such as water, forests, and minerals.

Planning Research: A Concise Guide for the Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences

by John C. Gordon

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	821 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	110 pages

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History of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences

The history of environmental and natural resource sciences can be traced back to the early days of human civilization. People have always been interested in understanding and managing the environment, and this has led to the development of a wide range of scientific disciplines, including ecology, hydrology, geology, and forestry.

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution led to a rapid increase in environmental pollution and the depletion of natural resources. This led to a growing public awareness of the importance of environmental protection, and in the early 20th century, the field of environmental science began to emerge as a distinct discipline.

Today, environmental and natural resource sciences are essential for addressing the challenges facing our planet, such as climate change, water scarcity, and pollution. These fields provide the scientific knowledge and tools that we need to make informed decisions about how to protect the environment and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.

Scope of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences

Environmental and natural resource sciences encompass a wide range of disciplines, including:

• Ecology: The study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.
• Hydrology: The study of water, including its distribution, movement, and quality.
• Geology: The study of the Earth's physical structure and history.
• Forestry: The study of forests, including their management and conservation.
• Conservation biology: The study of the conservation of biodiversity.
• Environmental chemistry: The study of the chemical processes that occur in the environment.
• Environmental toxicology: The study of the effects of toxic substances on the environment.
• Environmental economics: The study of the economic aspects of environmental issues.

These disciplines are all interconnected, and they work together to provide a comprehensive understanding of the environment and the natural resources that we depend on.

Major Disciplines Involved in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences

The major disciplines involved in environmental and natural resource sciences include:

• Ecology: Ecologists study the interactions between organisms and their environment. They investigate how organisms adapt to their environment, how populations and communities of organisms change over time, and how ecosystems function.
• Hydrology: Hydrologists study water, including its distribution, movement, and quality. They investigate how water flows through the environment, how it is stored in aquifers and lakes, and how it is affected by human activities.
• Geology: Geologists study the Earth's physical structure and history. They investigate the composition of the Earth's crust, the processes that shape the Earth's surface, and the history of the Earth's climate.
• Forestry: Foresters study forests, including their management and conservation. They investigate how forests grow and change over time, how they are affected by human activities, and how they can be managed to provide a variety of benefits.
• Conservation biology: Conservation biologists study the conservation of biodiversity. They investigate the threats to biodiversity, develop strategies to protect endangered species, and manage ecosystems to maintain their biodiversity.
• Environmental chemistry: Environmental chemists study the chemical processes that occur in the environment. They investigate the sources, fate, and effects of pollutants, and develop technologies to clean up contaminated environments.
• Environmental toxicology: Environmental toxicologists study the effects of toxic substances on the environment. They investigate the toxicity of pollutants, develop risk assessment methods, and identify ways to reduce the exposure of humans and wildlife to toxic substances.
• Environmental economics: Environmental economists study the economic aspects of environmental issues. They investigate the costs and benefits of environmental regulations, develop policies to promote sustainable development, and value the benefits of environmental goods and services.

These disciplines are all essential for understanding and managing the environment and the natural resources that we depend on.

Environmental and natural resource sciences are essential for addressing the challenges facing our planet. These fields provide the scientific knowledge and tools that we need to make informed decisions about how to protect the environment and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.

If you are interested in learning more about environmental and natural resource sciences, there are many resources available online and at your local library. You can also find information about environmental and natural resource science programs at colleges and universities.

Planning Research: A Concise Guide for the Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences

by John C. Gordon

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	821 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	110 pages

FREE