Practical Steps to Implement an Ecosystem Approach
in Great Lakes Management
Table 1
Comparison of four approaches to resolving human-made ecosystem
problems (taken from Vallentyne and Hamilton 1987).
PROBLEM-TRANSMISSION OF DISEASE
- Egosystemic Approach - Causes unknown
- Piecemeal Approach - Conduits, pills
- Environmental Approach - Curative
- Ecosystemic Approach - Preventive, rehabilitative
PROBLEM-ORGANIC WASTE
- Egosystemic Approach - Hold your nose
- Piecemeal Approach - Discharge downstream
- Environmental Approach - Reduce BOD
- Ecosystemic Approach - Energy recovery
PROBLEM-EUTROPHICATION
- Egosystemic Approach - Mysterious causes
- Piecemeal Approach - Discharge downstream
- Environmental Approach - Phosphorus removal
- Ecosystemic Approach - Nutrient recycling
PROBLEM-ACID RAIN
- Egosystemic Approach - Unaware
- Piecemeal Approach - Not yet a problem
- Environmental Approach - Taller smokestacks
- Ecosystemic Approach - Recycle sulfur
PROBLEM-ENERGY SHORTAGES
- Egosystemic Approach - Hunt a scapegoat
- Piecemeal Approach - Increase supply
- Environmental Approach - Expand grid
- Ecosystemic Approach - Inverted rate schedules
PROBLEM-TOXIC CHEMICALS
- Egosystemic Approach - Unaware
- Piecemeal Approach - Not yet a problem
- Environmental Approach - Discharge permits
- Ecosystemic Approach - Design with nature
PROBLEM-GREENHOUSE EFFECT
- Egosystemic Approach - Unaware
- Piecemeal Approach - Not yet a problem
- Environmental Approach - Skeptical analysis
- Ecosystemic Approach - Carbon recycling
PROBLEM-PESTS
- Egosystemic Approach - Run for your life
- Piecemeal Approach - Broad spectrum insecticides
- Environmental Approach - Selective degradable poisons
- Ecosystemic Approach - Integrated pest management
PROBLEM-TRAFFIC CONGESTION
- Egosystemic Approach - More roads
- Piecemeal Approach - More superhighways
- Environmental Approach - Staggered hours
- Ecosystemic Approach - Public transportation
PROBLEM-DEMOTECHNIC GROWTH
- Egosystemic Approach - Unaware
- Piecemeal Approach - Measure it
- Environmental Approach - Zoned development
- Ecosystemic Approach - Conserver society
PROBLEM-ATTITUDE TO NATURE
- Egosystemic Approach - Indifferent
- Piecemeal Approach - Dominate
- Environmental Approach - Cost/benefit
- Ecosystemic Approach - Respect
PROBLEM-VIEW OF FUTURE
- Egosystemic Approach - Egocentric
- Piecemeal Approach - Linear, predictable
- Environmental Approach - Wary
- Ecosystemic Approach - Emergent, evolving
URL: www.ijc.org/rel/boards/wqb/tab0100.html