Environmental Management Of The Laurentian Great Lakes: A Critical Analysis
A Critical Analysis: Ecosystem Management of the Laurentian Great Lakes
Common among models implemented in environmental management is the driver-pressure-state-response concept. This type of model uses indicators to quantify and simplify changes occurring in natural systems. Changes in the environment, according to this model, all originate from human activity which exert pressure or stress on the system. This model attempts to solve environmental crisis by determining the human activity creating the problem and responding to change with environmental and economic policies. In the 1970s, Environment Canada proposed a model similar to this called the state-pressure-response model, that would be used to mediate environmental issues emerging …show more content…
If governments continue to use a state-pressure-response model for the management of the lakes, many environmental changes will go undocumented and untreated, see Figure 1 in Appendix (MacDonagh, 2009). Numerous studies have predicted that climate change is expected to significantly decrease water levels in lakes and streams throughout North America (Mcheyie, 2007). Decreasing water levels in the Great Lakes will increase their vulnerability to toxic contaminates (Valiante, 2008). It would be greatly beneficial for environmental management models to already begin taking into account and monitoring these changes to lessen the effects of climate change. Stricter environmental policies for industries and farming practices should already be in consideration to prevent environmental concerns in the future. The environmental regulations that will need to be enforced will require much thought as well, such as debates over using a cap and trade or other emissions cutback strategies to lessen industry emissions if is required. The sooner these issues are dealt with, the more equipped decision makers will be at solving future crises. Other future concerns pertaining to the increase of urbanization around the lakes, primarily Lake Ontario, will be another negative environmental factor needing monitoring and acknowledgement of ecosystem change. With urbanization it is expected that natural vegetation will be removed and replaced with impermeable concrete surfaces which allow water to flow directly into river channels, increasing sedimentation and pollutants in runoff (Foote, 1996). Sedimentation describes the process of depositing sediment or gravel. An increase in this process will have effects felt by the entire ecosystem. Domestic water supply will be contaminated and suspended sediment will have
Common among models implemented in environmental management is the driver-pressure-state-response concept. This type of model uses indicators to quantify and simplify changes occurring in natural systems. Changes in the environment, according to this model, all originate from human activity which exert pressure or stress on the system. This model attempts to solve environmental crisis by determining the human activity creating the problem and responding to change with environmental and economic policies. In the 1970s, Environment Canada proposed a model similar to this called the state-pressure-response model, that would be used to mediate environmental issues emerging …show more content…
If governments continue to use a state-pressure-response model for the management of the lakes, many environmental changes will go undocumented and untreated, see Figure 1 in Appendix (MacDonagh, 2009). Numerous studies have predicted that climate change is expected to significantly decrease water levels in lakes and streams throughout North America (Mcheyie, 2007). Decreasing water levels in the Great Lakes will increase their vulnerability to toxic contaminates (Valiante, 2008). It would be greatly beneficial for environmental management models to already begin taking into account and monitoring these changes to lessen the effects of climate change. Stricter environmental policies for industries and farming practices should already be in consideration to prevent environmental concerns in the future. The environmental regulations that will need to be enforced will require much thought as well, such as debates over using a cap and trade or other emissions cutback strategies to lessen industry emissions if is required. The sooner these issues are dealt with, the more equipped decision makers will be at solving future crises. Other future concerns pertaining to the increase of urbanization around the lakes, primarily Lake Ontario, will be another negative environmental factor needing monitoring and acknowledgement of ecosystem change. With urbanization it is expected that natural vegetation will be removed and replaced with impermeable concrete surfaces which allow water to flow directly into river channels, increasing sedimentation and pollutants in runoff (Foote, 1996). Sedimentation describes the process of depositing sediment or gravel. An increase in this process will have effects felt by the entire ecosystem. Domestic water supply will be contaminated and suspended sediment will have