Topic Introduction

Before one can create an effective ecosystem services management plan, one should be able to understand the underlying concepts clearly.  Why are these plans needed in the first place?  The purpose is for the community to sustainably utilize these ecosystem services to contribute to sustainable development.  What do we mean when we say sustainable? What is sustainable development? These concepts first need to be properly defined and exemplified before one can hope to propose activities to achieving sustainability. Thus, this topic aims to clearly define them.

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• Define sustainability.
• Define sustainable use.
• Differentiate sustainable use from sustainable development.
• Explain the sustainable development goals.
• Explain the IPAT equation in layman’s terms.

Topic Readings

The required readings will be drawn from open books, which can be freely downloaded by students without having to worry about copyright issues. There will be optional readings that students might want to purchase for digging deeper into the topic, essential information from all readings will be encapsulated in the courses’ Module Notebook.

Required Readings

• Theis, T., & Tomkin, J (2012). Sustainability: A Comprehensive Foundation. Houston: Connexions. (Included in the Notebook)
• Theis, T., & Tomkin, J (2012).  Introduction to sustainability: Humanity and the environment. Sustainability: A Comprehensive Foundation. Houston: Connexions.  (Included in the Notebook)
• Module Notebook 1 Download Module Notebook 1

Optional Readings

• Bennett, E.M. & Chaplin-Kramer, R. (2016) Science for the sustainable use of ecosystem services. (Review). F1000Research 2016, 5(F1000 Faculty Rev):2622. (doi: 10.12688/f1000research.9470.1).

Fundamental Concepts

• Sustainability
• Sustainable use
• Sustainable development
• Sustainable development goals

Video Lectures

Lesson 1.1 - 8 minutes

Note: To view Interactive Video on Lesson 1.1 (SCORM), use Firefox to access and open it.

Self-check Quiz

After viewing video lectures, take 10 minutes now to take the self-check quiz at Online Self-test 1.1.

Activities & Assignments

Online Discussions

Online Forum 1.1- Post your initial ideas on the four interview questions in assignment 1.

Instructions:

• Following the requirements of assignment 1, post two candidate tropical forests that you are planning to feature.  Below each forest’s name,  indicate the city/province/state and country where it is located and a short description of the tropical forest.  Also, indicate why you chose this forest.  You may add a photo of the forest. (150 words for each forest)

Graded Assignments

See Assignment 1 in Graded Assignments document.

Topic Summary

This topic introduced the concept of sustainability.  The terms sustainable use and sustainable development were also clarified to establish the reason why this course is essential.  In this topic, we also reviewed the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030 and its implications on sustainability.

Topic Self-review (Optional)

Use the following self-reflection questions as study guide to conduct your self-review for the topic.

1. How does your own institution contribute to the concept of sustainability?
2. Do you think achieving the sustainable development goals in 2030 is feasible?  Why or Why not?