1. HW3_rpd2 8 Perspectives on a sustainable Human System Conservation, ‘Spaceship Earth’, Federal Law, Ecological, Societal, Developmental, Economic, United Nations Defining the Anthroposystem The orderly combination or arrangement of physical and biological environments for the purpose of maintaining human civilization Framework to link conservation, pollution, and population issues 4 Components Matrix: The environment including nature, resources, and manmade infrastructure. Producers: Those that harvest agricultural, industrial, and ecological resources Consumers: Humans and their domesticated animals. Users of what is produced Decomposers: Wastewater treatment, resource recovery, natural decomposers, etc. Applying the Anthropological Model Open vs. Closed Systems In thermodynamics a closed system can exchange energy with its surroundings, but not matter A Human system can be considered closed if all material resources are recovered for reuse Real world differs significantly from the ideal closed anthropological model Raw materials are imported from the natural environment for production Energy production cannot be efficient, nor can it be recycled, creating greater need for imported resources “Industrial Ecology” Focus on the closed aspects of the human system Optimize flow of waste back into production Minimize overall resource consumption Mass transfer model

2. HW3_rcm1 Summing Santos RC Mackin 15/02/2006 Anthroposystem model looks at sustainability via a human ecosystem within an inclusive ecosphere, modeling both physical and biological environments in order to maintain human civilization. An undermining principle of the concept of sustainability is its ambiguity, while the anthroposystem forces thought beyond economic development, in terms of sustainable human systems. The broad ideal of a society in balance with its surroundings can be conceptually viewed in terms of: conservation, spaceship earth, federal law, ecology, sustainable society, development, economics, & UN policy…just to name a few frameworks, all of which are entwined and overlap. Four components of the system: Matrix / Producer / Consumer / Decomposer The ideal closed anthroposystem does not grasp fully the reality of world, an open system. The ideal is broken with the consideration of waste generation and byproducts, energy inefficiency and dissipation (2 nd Law of Thermodynamics), and imports/exports. Industrial Ecology: multifaceted study of the link between natural systems, industry, and economics, broadening the scale of these traditional concepts. Call-2-Action: Development of universal theories to understand, explain and test systems

3. HW3_sas2 Ecosystem & the Biosphere Long term sustainable development requires an understanding: Human activitiesNatural processes Demonstrate sustained development Use to as metaphors for human activities Ecosystem Anthroposystem 3 groups: 1.Producers - plants and some bacteria 2.Consumers - animals 3.Decomposers - fungi and bacteria 3 groups: 1.Producers - energy production, manufacturing, growing food 2.Consumers - humans & domestic animals 3.Decomposers - waste water treatment, recycling of metals and solid wastes ATMOSPHERE | HYDROSPHERE | LITHOSPHERE | BIOSPHERE Atmosphere: transport conveyor Hydrosphere: conveyor, river system and oceans Lithosphere: inorganic materials solid shell Biosphere: thin shell of organic matter on Earth’s surface - resemble human activities Chemicals distributed among these four spheres Model: flow of matter is in all environmental compartments *Anthroposystem differs from ecosystem - lacks eff. material recyclers

4. HW3_cr4 Relationship between Sustainable Development and the Anthroposystem – Summary Presented by Chris Rolland “The Sustainability movement seeks to build a sustainable economic society, meant to satisfy the needs of today’s population, without reducing the quality of the environment for future generations.” Sustainable system concept: “Regardless of the used term, they all supported the idea of a society in balance with its surroundings, thus, a self-sustaining system.” Description of the anthroposystem concept enables society to study the holistic nature of the interaction of humankind and its environment. An anthroposystem requires a sustainable economy to recycle used products and resources, and an economy that minimizes pollution. “…scientists must develop universal theories that clarify, identify and unify sustainable human- environment systems.”

5. HW3_cb6 Summary of Ecosystem Metaphors for Human-Induced Material Flows –Industrial metabolism: “organisms” consume “food” to function; exhale waste –Ecosystem analog: Anthroposystem, the human version of the ecosystem Ecosystem based material flow system –Environmental Spheres Analog Metaphor 1.Industrial Metabolism 2.Ecosystem/Anthroposystem 3.Environmental Spheres Pros Relates consumers and products to organisms and food Both systems contain the same elements Includes all distribution of matter Shows distribution of matter Cons Causes of metabolism depend on external world Ecosystem is a closed system, Anthroposystem is an open system No hint of where matter is transferred Complicated Environmental Spheres approach + Ecosystem approach = Complete end-to-end flow analyses

6. HW3_rpd2 Industrial Metabolism EcosystemAnthroposystem PlantsProducersMining, Farming AnimalsConsumersConsumption MicroorganismsRecyclersRecycling In an ecosystem… Most material flows from producer to recyclers Close physical relationships 100% Efficient recyclers In an anthroposystem… Material flows through consumers Resources spread over long distances Inefficient recyclers Lots of material remains in circulation Both systems follow the same mass transfer model Mass of material (pollutant), P, is mobilized by the producer i. Material is passed from i m producers to consumer j. Material continues from j n consumers to the receptors.

7. HW3_mv3 Ecosystem and the Biosphere We can gain important insight into the distribution of pollution by comparing the flow of materials mobilized by humans to the natural flow of ecosystems. Ecosystem Analog The comparison of a natural ecosystem to the anthroposystem relates the producers, consumers and decomposers in a biological cycle to those of the anthroposystem. The ecosystem is a closed system with complete recycling while the anthroposystem is an open system lacking efficient decomposers and recyclers. The material flow system uses three similar elements (producers, consumers, and receptors) to analyze the movement of pollutants. Environmental Spheres Analog Pollution can be traced between the four environmental compartments. The atmosphere has the smallest storage capacity but functions as a very effective spatial redistributor. The rivers of the hydrosphere are the conveyors of materials to the ocean compartment. The lithosphere is mainly a storage compartment for matter The biosphere recycles most of the energy and matter on Earth. The anthroposystem has no mechanism for reducing oxidized compounds as the plants do in the ecosystem.

8. HW3_sv2 Ecosystem and the Biosphere (Husar) Sustainable Development: dependent on human activity interrupting natural processes –Human material flow more disruptive and stressful than natural material flow –Required: Models of human-induced flow i.e. (explanatory, not predictive) Industrial Metabolism: industrial “organisms” consume material, energy, leave waste Ecosystem: Producers, Consumers, Decomposers, total system is self-sufficient –Anthropo-model: P = Energy production, C = humans, D = waste treatment and recycling x“D” model inefficient, = open, non-self-sufficient system xEcosystem spatially contained: physical proximity ensures efficient energy useage –Anthroposystem spatially scattered, multiple P, C, and D components, inefficient distribution –Flow Matrix is key – models distribution of energy, materials, and pollutants Spheres: atmo-, hydro-, litho-, bio-; two-way linkage between all spheres –Materials exchanged within and between all spheres, in any direction. *conservation of mass –Human function in (and like) biosphere – large redistribution of matter –Anthroposystem not naturally able to recycle – must rely on biota –Human-induced material carried by atmo- and bio-, bear environmental damage. Combination of Sphere model and Antropo – (eco) model encompasses complete flow analysis, suitable for economic analysis.

9. HW3_rpd2 SantosHusar Similarities Anthropological description of material flow through human system Models include Producers, Consumers, and Recyclers Mass transfer models for material flow Differences Model developed from mostly from scratchModel developed from ecosystem analogy Includes “matrix” sector (environment)Environment is implied Differential mass transfer modelTime invariant model Ideal system is closed thermodynamic systemIdeal is a natural ecosystem The articles are two different descriptions of essentially the same concept. The Santos Article more strongly ties the anthropological model to the concept of sustainability Husar’s use of the ecosystem analogy clarifies the relationships between producers, consumers, and recyclers The mass transfer model laid out by Husar is more clearly defined and useful than that given by Santos

10. HW3_sas2 Critical Comparison of Articles Anthroposystem & formulation of ideas: Articles quite similar, although Husar’s more succinct and organized around the idea of an anthroposystem; Santos’ article seemed to contradict itself, incapable of formulating an idea, especially about the anthroposystem - “ambiguity undermines concept” Equations to quantify: Both used equations to describe the systems - doing so quantifies the issue of sustainability, providing another model to comprehend, although it seems too much an effort to model the anthroposystem, for example, so rigidly with a series of variables; the environment and human activities are dynamic whereas the equation seems very static Three/Four variables: Interesting that Santos included a fourth variable (the matrix),; those things included in the matrix (non-living and non-productive parts of the system) don’t seem to have much bearing on the environment; if Santos was trying to describe the relationship between human activities and the environment, the matrix should have been left out - the matrix is only pertinent to human activities Flow of material: Idea of continuous, unrestricted flow through four separate entities was a helpful analogy in Husar’s article; comparing/not comparing the human system to open and closed, thermodynamic and non-thermodynamic systems was confusing in Santos’ article; again, Santos seems to contemplate what he’s trying to illustrate rather than state his final idea about the issue

11. HW3_saf1 Critical Comparison of both Similarities Both require an understanding of the interaction between human activates and natural process Both have anthroposystem and ecosystem Economic and ecological systems are interwoven and overlapping but separate Difference between the ecosystem and anthroposystem is the physical separation of producers, consumers and recyclers Differences Santos Anthroposystem –4 components: matrix, producers, consumers, decomposers –Self-contained system provided it has an energy source –Requires a sustainable economy to recycle used products and resources –Requires an economy that minimizes pollution Prof Husar Anthroposystem –3 components : producers, consumers, and decomposers –Open system

12. HW3_sfd1 Critical Comparison The first difference was the use of the term anthroposystem –In the M. Santos paper, it was used as an ideal state of human civilization where our recycling output equaled are waste input –Prof. Husar used the term to describe a similar human dominated system that was not necessarily ideal The main difference dealt with the realm of reference –M. Santos never considered the entire world as an individual system, so the anthroposystems he discussed were all open systems This leaves little room for the calculation of material flow Cannot measure the total impact of pollution, because the atmosphere carries pollutants outside the original anthroposystem Harder to find efficiency of the system with respect to recycling to waste output

13. HW3_sv2 Comparison Sustainability – Articles agree that a definition that extends beyond economic development is required. –Santos emphasizes that environmental systems should be tied into economic decisions –Husar identifies human-induced material flow, (i.e. industry, spheres) Anthroposystem – both define in terms of Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers, and emphasize a interconnecting Matrix: –Santos describes this as an “open” energy system, with a recycling as a closed energy system component within larger system –Husar focuses on flow of materials, resources, and pollutants through the system Husar adds sphere model, combined with anthroposystem model is more complete Santos aims to model industrial process as ecological system – purpose is to find loss throughout system, improve human/environment interactions Husar: Santos:

14. HW3_tjj1 Comparison Similarities –Both use the anthroposystem as a model for looking at sustainability of the human-ecological system –The anthroposystem is an open system because unlike the ecosystem, it lacks sufficient recyclers and decomposers and thus the producer-consumer-decomposer loop gives off excess waste Differences –Santos relates the economic system to the anthroposystem and says they are interwoven –Ecosystem looks at environmental spheres analogy and speaks of the coupled spheres that matter (specifically pollutants) moves through, and relates human activity to the biosphere

15. HW3_rcm1 Contrast & Compare RC Mackin 15/02/2006 Shining Similarities: - Use of the same three components: producers, consumers, and decomposers - Present anthroposystem as an ideally open system, both with shortcomings in the modeling. Glaring Differences: - Santos uses physico-bio environment; Ecosystem uses physico-chemical environment - Ecosystem lacks the 4 th dimension of an exterior “matrix” in its flow chart. - The use of metaphors in Ecosystem provides a methodology of actually explaining a complex system, not merely stating that one exists. - Ecosystem presents a moreover closed anthroposystem, while Santos’ expansive semi- open system is more difficult to grasp, real as it may be. - Santos presents the 4 spheres as not only linked, but interwoven like a Venn diagram. Questions Posed: -Where do we focus: producers, consumers, decomposers, or flows between? -Likewise, which Sphere do we focus on? -Where do we draw the line on the openness of a system? ~ Don’t limit your thinking. Expand. Connect. ~

16. HW3_mv3 Critical Comparison According to Santos “the anthroposystem concept allows enables society to study the holistic nature of the interaction of humankind and its environment.” This is more effectively accomplished with the models provided in the Ecosystem. The multiple models offered in Ecosystem provide a much more thorough analysis of the distribution of pollution. Figure one offers an overall view (similar to the four- component Santos figure), figure two is a matrix of the flow of materials (comparable to Santos figure 3), and figure three addresses the distribution of chemicals in the environmental spheres which are not covered in Santos. The interrelationship between ecosystems and anthroposystems mentioned by Santos (81) is illustrated in the environmental sphere model of the Ecosystem text. Santos figure 3 not as clear as the Ecosystem matrix, but includes resource recovery which is not part of the matrix in the Ecosystem text. It is clear in both texts that sustainability requires more efficient use of resources with much more reuse and recycling of materials. The industrial ecology idea clearly identifies the need to close manufacturing systems which cannot be accomplished without considering the transport mechanisms illustrated in the environmental spheres analog.

17. HW3_cr4 Critical Comparison Between Essays Presented by Chris Rolland Sustainable Development and the Anthroposystem –Ambiguous as to how “scientists must develop universal theories…” –Lack of clarity in Industrial ecology and the anthroposystem model –Can appreciate the history of the changing perception of a stable human-environment system –Interconnectedness of effects on earth through any actions –The matrix (non-living and non-productive parts of system) is discussed in the anthroposystem model along with the producers, consumers, and decomposers “It provides the structure or fabric in which the other components operate.” –Industrial ecology and the anthroposystem model discusses waste heat factor –Illustration of 2 nd Law of Thermodynamics: “Energy is never completely efficient.” Ecosystem and the Biosphere –Unexplained interaction between “matrix” and biological cycling of materials –Weakness of ecosystem analog in physical transfer of mobilized matter –Concise relationship between industrial “organisms” and biological organisms –Stark contrast between ecosystem and anthroposystem with respect to recyclers –Simplified, understandable ecosystem-based material flow system of potential pollutants –Environmental Spheres Analog conveys linking interaction between all four major environmental compartments

18. HW3_cb6 Critical Comparison Provide mathematical models to predict and model the distribution of matter. Similarities Address the open/closed loop problem between ecosystems and anthroposystems. Both note that long-term sustainable development requires the understanding of the interaction between human activity and natural process. Differences Santos states the need for scientists to develop theories that explain and predict the behavior of the ‘forest’ (human environment system), not just the trees. The Ecosystem article provides a theory of this nature – the environmental spheres analog. Santos does not seem concerned with the location of redistributed matter where the ecosystem paper is quite concerned. Santos’ model includes matter and energy where the ecosystem paper only concerns matter.

19. Santos – class slides

20. Anthroposystem Santos defines anthroposystem as “the orderly combination or arrangement of physical and biological environments for the purpose of maintaining human civilization.” The anthroposystem model has four components: matrix (nonliving, nonproductive), producers (agricultural, industrial, and ecospheric), consumers, and decomposers The broad ideal of a society in balance with its surroundings can be conceptually viewed in terms of: conservation, spaceship earth, federal law, ecology, sustainable society, development, economics, & UN policy…just to name a few frameworks, all of which are entwined and overlap.

21. HW3_mv3 An analysis of the relationship between sustainable development and the anthroposystem concept The sustainable system concept Santos defines anthroposystem as “the orderly combination or arrangement of physical and biological environments for the purpose of maintaining human civilization.” The anthroposystem model has four components: matrix (nonliving, nonproductive), producers (agricultural, industrial, and ecospheric), consumers, and decomposers. The ecosystem and the anthroposystem are interrelated. In the same way, the four spheres of the planet cannot be studied individually. Industrial ecology and the anthroposystem model Unlike the ideal anthroposystem, manufacturing processes produce wastes that are not recycled and energy use is not completely efficient. The real anthroposystem is an open system. Industrial ecology is the study of the closed loop cycle of energy and material flow in the production process. Closing the loop requires much more effective recovery of resources.

22. HW3_sv2 Sustainable Development and the Anthroposystem (Santos) Sustainability: Fulfill needs of “today” without sacrificing “tomorrow” –Traditional idea described in terms of economic development –Requires: transformation of industrial society, i.e. self-sustaining Anthroposystem: artificial Human System, within context of ecosystem –Composed of Matrix, Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers; used by human society –Separate from ecosystem, but eco- and anthro- have symbiotic relationship –Closed system when resources are recycled, Open when materials leave as waste –Non-ideal system: energy is lost (unused) through every process – Open energy system Industrial Ecology: compares production process with basic natural systems –Excess material reused in cycle: ideally a closed loop –Looks for loses through entire process, not limited to obvious steps Study: does not distinguish between human system and environment (interactive unit) –Prevents seperation of economic and ecological systems- ties industry to environment –Education: contraints of environment, framework for management in industry –Improve human – environment relationship, not just environment (air, water quality, etc.)

23. HW3_cb6 Summary of Santos Definition – Anthroposystem: “the orderly combination or arrangement of physical and biological environments for the purpose of maintaining human civilization” The four components of the anthroposystem Real world differs from closed and ideal anthroposystem. –Processes generate waste as byproducts of industry. –Second law of thermodynamics – During energy conversion, useful energy is lost and cannot be recycled. –Real anthroposystems are open systems due to energy loss and the import/export of resources. How does the anthroposystem concept help? –Points to sustainable systems, not just sustainable economic development. –Provides intellectual framework to include environment in all decision-making processes. –Society requires economic systems and industrial processes that mimic natural ecosystems. Overall Concept: Anthroposystem concept helps society avoid treating the environment as an oversimplified ‘black box’ and instead identify and unify sustainable human-environment systems.

24. HW3_tjj1 Summary of Santos Anthroposystem- “the orderly combination or arrangement of physical and biological environments for the purpose of maintaining human civilization” –Matrix- composed of all non-living parts of the system –Producers- manufactures or yields products (agricultural, industrial, or ecospheric resources) –Consumers- humans and domesticated animals –Decomposers- waste treatment plants and natural decomposers Ecosystems and anthroposystems are coupled and there is a cause- and-effect relationship Hypothetically, a human system that is closed can sustain itself indefinitely, but energy use is never completely efficient and there is always waste, which means that our real anthroposystem is open Industrial ecology- the study of a closed loop where excess materials are put back into the loop to minimize waste For sustainability, society needs a sustainable economic system and industrial processes that imitate natural ecosystems

25. HW3_sv2 Anthroposystem Summary Anthroposystem –The ideal method for uniting the four main elements of our physical society Producers, Consumers, Decomposers and the Matrix (non-living, non- producing objects) –An anthroposystem would rely heavily on recycling to match the waste production –Emphasis on minimizing pollution Industrial Ecology –Relation between industry and the environment –Goal is to achieve closed systems Self sufficient, sustainable system –Modeled in the same way as an anthroposystem Conclusions –When Sustainability is reached, the concepts of anthroposystem, sustainable economic development, and industrial ecology will be interrelated and codependent –Do not fix problems separately, think of as one large system to help focus goals

26. Husar – class slides

27. HW3_cr4 Ecosystem and the Biosphere – Summary Presented by Chris Rolland “As in nature, industrial ‘organisms’ consume ‘food’ for the maintenance of their functions and exhale waste products.” “Both the causes as well as the consequences of metabolism lie beyond the confines of an organism. These depend on the external world…” “Ecosystem relies on its decomposers for complete recycling of its elements, the anthroposystem lacks efficient decomposers and recyclers.” Ecosystem Analog Ecosystem-based Material Flow System Environmental Spheres Analog: Atmosphere, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere “Human activities most closely resemble the role of the biosphere in the mobilization of matter.”

28. HW3_rcm1 Explaining Ecosystem… RC Mackin 15/02/2006 Ecosystems consist of: Producers / Consumers / Decomposers The physico-chemical environment can be conceptualized with flows between various “pockets”, and aided with the use of metaphors, i.e. industrial metabolism. Plant::Producers::Mobilizers; Animals::Consumers::Emitters Microorganisms::Recyclers::Receptors The anthroposystem lacks efficient recyclers as compared to the strict natural ecosystem, while the former system displaces its “pockets” more drastically. Mass moved by producer is transferred at the surface to be used by the consumer, whose products in turn are transferred via the atmosphere to be received by the receptors. Two-Way linkage of Atmo-, Hydro-, Litho-, and Bio-Spheres Mechanisms for reducing compounds in anthroposystem must be man induced, as opposed to naturally occurring in the ecosystem.

29. HW3_tjj1 Summary of Ecosystem Industrial metabolism- metaphor for the movement and control of flows of matter and energy through industrial activities Ecosystem- group of plants, animals, and microbes along with their phisco-chemical environment Anthroposystem- analogous group containing producers (energy production, manufacturing, growing food), consumers (humans and domestic animals), decomposers (waste treatment plants, recycling facilities) Unlike the ecosystem, the anthroposystem is an open system in that it lacks efficient decomposers and recyclers In the ecosystem, the producers, consumers and decomposers are in very close proximity and there is little energy involved in transporting matter. This is not true for an anthroposystem. Production begins with mining and a certain percentage of the raw material is pollution, which gets transferred to the consumer (where the combustion occurs) and then there are receptors where the pollutant is deposited The four spheres are coupled with each other and with themselves as matter flows from one to another and through the sphere itself –Atmosphere: transport-conveyor that moves matter from sources to receptors in the atmosphere –Hydrosphere: a conveyor (rivers) for substances into a compartment (oceans) –Lithosphere: soil and rock act as storage departments for deposited matter –Biosphere: responsible for recycling of energy and matter Human activities resemble the function of the biosphere, but the anthroposystem has no mechanisms for reducing oxidized compounds

30. HW3_sv2 Ecosystem-Biosphere Summary Ecosystem (Producers, Consumers & Decomposers) –Naturally, an ecosystem will be sustainable because the decomposers, bacteria and fungi, can recycle all waste from the consumers (closed system) –Human interference changed the dynamic of the ecosystem, decomposers can no longer recycle all the waste from the consumers (open system) –The material flow between producers, consumers and receptors can be mapped out and easily analyzed using transform matrices This is possible through the use of conservation laws Environmental Spheres (Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere & Lithosphere) –The environmental spheres viewpoint takes a step back from the ecosystem viewpoint, to see all variables involved (closed system) –Biosphere is where most damage is done, but its changes have a dramatic effect on the three other spheres

31. HW3_mv3 Prof Husar - Ecosystem and the Biosphere Anthroposystem – human analog –3 groups Producers – energy production, manufacturing, and growing food Consumers – humans and domestic animals Recyclers (Decomposers) – WWT, recycling metals and solid waste –Lacks efficient material recyclers that allow sustainable development. –Open system Environmental spheres analogy extends the ecosystem analogy –Considers the flow of matter in all environmental compartments (air, land, water, biota) –Closes the system by following the flow and fate of matter, regardless of location and medium of transfer –Concludes human activities most closely resemble the role of the biosphere in the mobilization of matter –3 groups Producers – plants, bacteria Consumers – animals and their consumption Decomposer – fungi and bacterial –Nature is capable of sustaining the producer-consumer-decomposer cycle

32. HW3_sas2 Relationship: Sustainable Development & the Anthroposystem Concept Sustainability movement: 1.Build a sustainable economic society 2.Satisfy the needs of today’s population 3.Avoid reducing quality of env. for the future DOWNFALL Ambiguity Undermines Concept Sustainable economic development - no connection of stable society function in ecosphere Anthroposystem - forces society to also think sustainable human systems “the orderly combination…of physical & biological environments for the purpose of maintaining human civilization” Self-contained system that requires a sustainable economy that minimizes pollution Interactive unit between humans and their environments 4 components (based on influence): 1.Matrix - non-living and non-productive parts 2.Producers - manufactures/yields products 3.Consumers - humans and domesticated animals 4.Decomposers - waste-water treatment plans, scrubbers, etc. Human system: CLOSED (recycling) or OPEN (import/exports) Model helps student focus on understanding what’s required for self-sustainable unit Well-formulated generalizations needed to unify/clarify relationship: society-nature Steady-state economy - NO GROWTH Sustainable economic development - SELF-SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM