Systems Engineering & Materials Ecology


Book Description

Systems Engineering & Materials Ecology presents my ideas on improving the human condition through the wise design of systems and the facilitation of productive interconnectedness. - Hendrith




Linking Science and Technology to Society's Environmental Goals


Book Description

Where should the United States focus its long-term efforts to improve the nation's environment? What are the nation's most important environmental issues? What role should science and technology play in addressing these issues? Linking Science and Technology to Society's Environmental Goals provides the current thinking and answers to these questions. Based on input from a range of experts and interested individuals, including representatives of industry, government, academia, environmental organizations, and Native American communities, this book urges policymakers to: Use social science and risk assessment to guide decision-making. Monitor environmental changes in a more thorough, consistent, and coordinated manner. Reduce the adverse impact of chemicals on the environment. Move away from the use of fossil fuels. Adopt an environmental approach to engineering that reduces the use of natural resources. Substantially increase our understanding of the relationship between population and consumption. This book will be of special interest to policymakers in government and industry; environmental scientists, engineers, and advocates; and faculty, students, and researchers.




Engineering Within Ecological Constraints


Book Description

Engineering within Ecological Constraints presents a rare dialogue between engineers and environmental scientists as they consider the many technical as well as social and legal challenges of ecologically sensitive engineering. The volume looks at the concepts of scale, resilience, and chaos as they apply to the points where the ecological life support system of nature interacts with the technological life support system created by humankind. Among the questions addressed are: What are the implications of differences between ecological and engineering concepts of efficiency and stability? How can engineering solutions to immediate problems be made compatible with long-term ecological concerns? How can we transfer ecological principles to economic systems? The book also includes important case studies on such topics as water management in southern Florida and California and oil exploration in rain forests. From its conceptual discussions to the practical experience reflected in case studies, this volume will be important to policymakers, practitioners, researchers, educators, and students in the fields of engineering, environmental science, and environmental policy.




Materials and the Environment


Book Description

Addressing the growing global concern for sustainable engineering, this title is devoted exclusively to the environmental aspects of materials.




Systems Analysis for Sustainable Engineering: Theory and Applications


Book Description

IMPLEMENT SYSTEMS ANALYSIS TOOLS IN SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING Featuring a multidisciplinary approach, Systems Analysis for Sustainable Engineering: Theory and Applications provides a proven framework for applying systems analysis tools to account for environmental impacts, energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, socioeconomic implications, and ecosystem health in engineering solutions. This pioneering work addresses the increased levels of sophistication embedded in many complex large-scale infrastructure systems and their interactions with the natural environment. After a detailed overview of sustainable systems engineering, the book covers mathematical theories of systems analysis, environmental resources management, industrial ecology, and sustainable design. Real-world examples highlight the methodologies presented in this authoritative resource. COVERAGE INCLUDES: Structured systems analysis for sustainable design Systems analysis and sustainable management strategies Ecomomic valuation, instruments, and project selection Statistical forecasting models Linear, nonlinear, integer, and dynamic programming models Multicriteria decision analyses System dynamics models and simulation analyses Water resources and quality management Air quality management Solid waste management Soil and groundwater remediation planning Industrial ecology and sustainability Green building and green infrastructure systems Energy resources management and energy systems engineering Land resources management and agricultural sustainability




Handbook of Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering


Book Description

Learn from this integrated approach to the management and restoration of ecosystems edited by an international leader in the field The Handbook of Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering delivers a comprehensive overview of the latest research and practical developments in the rapidly evolving fields of ecological and ecosystem engineering. Beginning with an introduction to the theory and practice of ecological engineering and ecosystem services, the book addresses a wide variety of issues central to the restoration and remediation of ecological environments. The book contains fulsome analyses of the restoration, rehabilitation, conservation, sustainability, reconstruction, remediation, and reclamation of ecosystems using ecological engineering techniques. Case studies are used to highlight practical applications of the theory discussed within. The material in the Handbook of Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering is particularly relevant at a time when the human population is dramatically rising, and the exploitation of natural resources is putting increasing pressure on planetary ecosystems. The book demonstrates how modern scientific ecology can contribute to the greening of the environment through the inclusion of concrete examples of successful applied management. The book also includes: A thorough discussion of ecological engineering and ecosystem services theory and practice An exploration of ecological and ecosystem engineering economic and environmental revitalization An examination of the role of soil meso and macrofauna indicators for restoration assessment success in a rehabilitated mine site A treatment of the mitigation of urban environmental issues by applying ecological and ecosystem engineering A discussion of soil fertility restoration theory and practice Perfect for academic researchers, industry scientists, and environmental engineers working in the fields of ecological engineering, environmental science, and biotechnology, the Handbook of Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering also belongs on the bookshelves of environmental regulators and consultants, policy makers, and employees of non-governmental organizations working on sustainable development.




Systems Engineering and management for Sustainable Development - Volume II


Book Description

Systems Engineering and Management for Sustainable Development is a component of Encyclopedia of Technology, Information, and Systems Management Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. This theme discusses: basic principles of systems engineering and management for sustainable development, including: cost effectiveness assessment; decision assessment, tradeoffs, conflict resolution and negotiation; research and development policy; industrial ecology; and risk management strategies for sustainability. The emphasis throughout will be upon the development of appropriate life-cycles for processes that assist in the attainment of sustainable development, and in the use of appropriate policies and systems management approaches to ensure successful application of these processes. The general objectives of these chapters is to illustrate the way in which one specific issue, such as the need to bring about sustainable development, necessarily grows in scope such that it becomes only feasible to consider the engineering and architecting of appropriate systems when the specific issue is imbedded into a wealth of other issues. The discussions provide an illustration of the many attributes and needs associated with the important task of utilizing information and knowledge, enabled through systems engineering and management, to engineer systems involving humans, organizations, and technology, in the support of sustainability. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs




Ecological Systems


Book Description

Earth is home to an estimated 8 million animal species, 600,000 fungi, 300,000 plants, and an undetermined number of microbial species. Of these animal, fungal, and plant species, an estimated 75% have yet to be identified. Moreover, the interactions between these species and their physical environment are known to an even lesser degree. At the same time, the earth’s biota faces the prospect of climate change, which may manifest slowly or extremely rapidly, as well as a human population set to grow by two billion by 2045 from the current seven billion. Given these major ecological changes, we cannot wait for a complete biota data set before assessing, planning, and acting to preserve the ecological balance of the earth. This book provides comprehensive coverage of the scientific and engineering basis of the systems ecology of the earth in 15 detailed, peer-reviewed entries written for a broad audience of undergraduate and graduate students as well as practicing professionals in government, academia, and industry. The methodology presented aims at identifying key interactions and environmental effects, and enabling a systems-level understanding even with our present state of factual knowledge.




Sustainable Solid Waste Management


Book Description

This book presents the application of system analysis techniques with case studies to help readers learn how the techniques can be applied, how the problems are solved, and which sustainable management strategies can be reached.




Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design


Book Description

This book focuses on the impacts of the built environment, and how to predict and measure the benefits and consequences of changes taking place to address sustainability in the development and building industries. It draws together the best treatments of these subjects from the Leeds Sustainability Institute’s inaugural International Conference on Sustainability, Ecology, Engineering, Design for Society (SEEDS). The focus of discussion is on understanding how buildings and spaces are designed and nurtured to obtain optimal outcomes in energy efficiency and environmental impacts. In addition to examining technical issues such as modeling energy performance, emphasis is placed on the health and well-being of occupants. This holistic approach addresses the interdependence of people with the built and natural environments. The book’s contents reflect the interdisciplinary and international collaboration critical to assembly of the knowledge required for positive change.