Environmental Science Literature Review

This assignment requires a comprehensive review of scientific literature related to key environmental issues. Students must explore topics such as recent declines in biodiversity, the role of forests in ecosystem services, the impact of climate change, and the effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol in protecting the ozone layer. The analysis should draw upon scholarly articles, books, and online resources to provide a critical understanding of these pressing environmental challenges.

Environmental
Science and
Society

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
1. Identification of key ecosystem services of city garden.........................................................3
2. Key causes of biodiversity losses and their significance.......................................................5
3. Management of risk................................................................................................................7
4. Legally binding targets that are set by UK government for greenhouse gas emission..........8
5. Key reasons for succession for Montreal Protocol.................................................................9
Conclusion................................................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Environment, Science and Society insight into the changing relationship between
science, nature, policy and society with the context of geographical areas of both developing
and developed world. The present report particularly lay its emphasis on different role of
science and policies while dealing with various environmental issues and problems of
knowledge, and power. In addition to this, it also foster the engagement grounded in the
determination of contemporary policies and issues. Moreover, with the reference of London's
famous city park, named Hyde Park, various key ecosystem services will be identified and
explored. Along with this, the legal binding targets which are set by UK government for
emission of greenhouse gas will be described in this module.
1. IDENTIFICATION OF KEY ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF CITY
GARDEN
Galloway Forest Park is Southern Scotland based park which is under the supervision
of Forestry Commission Scotland (Galloway Forest Park. 2016). The Forest Park offers
dramatic scenery views of natural habitants and ecosystems. It is known as Britain's largest
forest which has covered the area of 100 square miles of wild forest (Lehmann and Joseph,
eds., 2015.). The Forest has tranquil valleys, rugged rock faces, clad hills, slopes, moorland
and lochs that are rising up to the mountains. (Klein and et. al., 2012) Ecosystems are
characteristics by abiotic and biotic components and geochemical, biological and physical
processes which take place between components (Galloway Forest Park. 2016). Ecosystems
of forests can be grouped into four categories, that are provisioning, which includes facilities
of food and water; regulating includes control of diseases or climate; supporting comprises of
nutrient cycle and culture services, that includes recreational and spiritual benefits.
Ecosystem services are processes and conditions, which are obtained from ecosystem
and humans get benefits through them (What are Ecosystem Services? 2011). The four
categories of ecosystems can be described as follows:
Provisioning services Fibre and fuels: There are various products which are rendered by Galloway Forest
Park, that are veneers and flooring; pulp for paper; veneers and timber products. Water supply: There is also provision of water supply through rains, fog and mist,
which then transferred to soil and create a dam, as a result of which the level of
underground water increases (Lei, Christov and Zhao, 2016).

 Non-timber forest products: Galloway Forest is one of the largest forest of the UK,
which provides foods products, like foliage, nuts, berries an d fruits from trees and
plants. It also renders ornamental, craft, beverages and other gardening materials, like
poles, stakes, medicines products and etc (Galloway Forest Park. 2016).
Regulating services Crop Pollination: Forests provide tress, habitats and woodlands for pollinator species.
The changes in ecosystem can highly affect the abundance, distribution and
effectiveness of crop pollination (Kang and et. al., 2015). Disease and pest regulation: High bio-diversified woodlands will tend to increase the
growth of new species and reduce the harmful effects of pathogens and some pests.
Moreover, changes in regulation of human diseases will also effect the abundance of
disease vectors (Michener and Jones, 2012). Climate and Hazard regulation: Forestry Commission standard of Galloway Forest
also protect it form any hazard caused by slope failure and soil erosion (O'riordan,
2014). Moreover, it also provide protection from extreme effects of climatic change,
temperature difference, ultra-violet light and many more.
Cultural services Health: People will be able to gain many benefits from ecosystems in the form of
recreational and leisure activities, escape and freedom from from everyday busy life
and positivity (O'riordan, 2014). Social development: The Forestry Commission standards of Galloway Forest also
develop interest and provide knowledge of historical and cultural development to
people. Economy: Localities can generate income from employment, by working in the forest
department of Galloway Forest. Many enterprises, which are included in the timber
production, recreation purposes highly contribute in the growth of economy.
Supporting services Water cycling: Forest Commission standards concern about the supply of water,
transpiration and forests protection (Fearnside and Pueyo, 2012).

 Primary production: The growth and development of plants and tress depends upon
the production of carbon dioxide and oxygen (Owen and Jobling, 2012).
 Biodiversity: The Galloway also provide support to the production of flora and fauna,
pollinators and decompose process by underpinning the nutrient cycling and soil
formation (O'riordan, 2014).
So, eco system provisions also depends upon the knowledge, skills and experience of human
resources, who are responsible for delivery of processing, transportation and etc.
2. KEY CAUSES OF BIODIVERSITY LOSSES AND THEIR
SIGNIFICANCE
Biodiversity can be defined as term which describes the varied kind of living beings
of Earth. There are numerous species of animals, plants, microorganisms and
other ecosystem, like rainforest, coral reefs and deserts, which are major part of biological
diverse Earth (Owen, Macnaghten and Stilgoe, 2012). The Earth's biodiversity is in danger.
Human beings are continuously destructing the biodiversity of earth. Moreover, there are
various range of drivers due to which it changes, these drivers can be human-induced and
natural which cause the changes in direct or in direct manner in an ecosystem (O'riordan,
2014). The following points are main threats to biodiversity, which are climate changes,
nutrient loading, human population growth, habitat changes, overexploitation and pollution.
Further, these factors can be described as follows:
 Pollution: There is catastrophic effects on many species and breeds due to
agricultural, waste-based and industrial pollutants. Species which required pristine
environment can not survive more and those which have more tolerance will survive.
Many fresh water ecosystems died due to degraded quality of water, resultant of lake
and river pollution (Percival and et. al., 2013). Many animal species are also dying
and are counted in endangered species. Also, most of habitants get destroyed because
of pollution. The activities performed by the human beings affect the environment by
producing chemical affluent, deforestation, polluting the rivers by throwing garbage
etc. This creates pollution in the environment (Causes of recent declines in
biodiversity. 2016). This cause is significant as because of this there are variations in
the climate change which have an harmful impact on biodiversity. Pollution is
becoming the reason for less rainfall which leads to drought in many areas (Percival

and et. al., 2013).. This is also causing several diseases like asthma, cancer, skin
problems etc in the people. The people are polluting the soil by putting fertilizers and
chemicals in the soil. They are also polluting the water by putting the sewage from the
industries in the rivers and throwing garbage in the lakes.
 Habitat changes and Destructions: Habitat changes and destructions are main cause
of destruction of rain forest biodiversity due to which growth of human population is
highly influencing (Porteous, 2013). Many species are widely spread, with the
destruction in habitants, number of local population is also decreasing. Moreover,
habitants loss is also occurring because of burning, selective logging and clearing.
The natural areas are not only include the place to get vegetables and fruits rather it is
habitat of large number of animal species (Percival and et. al., 2013).. The
transformation of these areas lead to the loss of habitat to a vast number of animal
species. This cause is significant as many of the species are becoming extinct because
of the loss of their habitat. With the loss of animals there is an imbalance in the food
chain.
 Growth of human population: With the increase in growth of human population,
ecosystem is highly affecting (TolBa and Mel-Bulska, 2016). As, demand of fuel,
wood, water and other natural resources rapidly increasing, as a result of which
undisturbed areas have been transforming into pasture and agriculture land.
Nowadays, the interest of human being to live in highly bio-diversified area, which
are full of greenery and rich in soils and other factors rising.
 Global warming: Climatic changes are evident of effects of global warming, which
has affected the ecology of tropical forest and parks (Bonney and et. al., 2014).
Temperature changes can affect water cycle, availability of nutrients and nitrogen. It
is also affecting the ecosystem of city parks and forests. Moreover, fluctuations in
precipitation, wind and temperature can highly influence he human activity.
 Over exploitation of resources : The man to fulfil his luxury needs is over exploiting
the natural resources. They are over utilizing the earth's resources which will affect
our future generations (TolBa and Mel-Bulska, 2016). They are cutting down the trees
which is causing diseases in the people. This cause is significant because it is
affecting the whole environment. People for their luxury needs are destroying the the

environment. Resources are decreasing at a rapid speed. Because of this some people
are not able to satisfy their basic needs also.
3. MANAGEMENT OF RISK
Managing risk is a major part of the responsibility for environment decision taking. It
emphasis in management of standards and rules for the environmental assessing. It creates
effect on social, cultural, ecological etc. Development of policies for policy decisions of
environment are based on knowledge (Zoeteman, 2015). In recent time preventative and
precautionary methods are used to decisions making towards the risk environment. Managing
risk means finding ways to reduce the risk or mitigate the risk factor from the environment.
In public consideration some risks are unacceptable like high cost for avoiding this risk.
Further it concentrate on eliminating the waste and pollution from the sources (Author,
2016). It is measure before harm is arise. Social risk management falls into the followings
strategies:
 Social risk management followed the preventive strategy which measures and reduce
the probability of the risk (Vanclay, 2013). For example in a forest many animals has
harm because forest are cutting day by day.
 Mitigate the risk element diminishing the impact of probable risks. Mitigation the
risks are the strategies for portfolio diversification and hedging the risk factor.
 Coping the strategies rely the load of risk once it is occurred. For example govt. is
important element in assisting people in coping.
Technical risk assessment describes the integrated approach to the safety of technical
systems, prevention of technical processing and cost reduction of technical system. The
technical risk management recognize a way in which software systems, are interact with each
other (Zoeteman, 2015). Technical risk management helps in many applications which are
integrated part of the organization such as design process or modification of new systems
(Allen and et. al., 2013). In term of technical processing risk managed can be in to the
following term:
 Risk management in enterprising engineering programs: Risk management of the
enterprise system poses greater challenge. Enterprise environment for example
internet, offer to the users cross boundary access to the wide varieties of services,
information and applications (Wals and et. al., 2014). Risk management of technical

system aims to establish and maintain risk across the enterprise. Thus, capabilities
and performance are achieved.
 Risk management in System-of-System programs: A System-of-System a set of
systems that are interconnected with given capability. The challenge comes from
implementing and managing the steps of subordinate systems, systems of managers,
and many more. Frequently system of system can be planned for evolutionary builds.
 Risk management in system level program: It is responsibility of the team workers
to provides capabilities for development efforts. It is formulate a specific level risk
area. In that developers helps to identify approaches to reduce the risk.
4. LEGALLY BINDING TARGETS THAT ARE SET BY UK
GOVERNMENT FOR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION
The UK has made significant actions on climate changes to prevent the emission of
greenhouse gases. United Nations Framework Convention (UNFCC) was formed in the year
1992 to tackle the changes in the environment due to climatic changes. This negotiations
have focused on main four areas, which are stated below:
 Adaptation to climate change
 Availability of finance to enable adaptation and mitigation action
 Reduction of emission of greenhouse gas
 Development of technology and emphasis on the green development
There are different type laws which are made by government of UK in order to reduce
the effort of greenhouse. Pollution in UK is very high and main reasons for this raise is
pollution from vehicles, factories, deforestation, etc. In order to reduce it impacts government
of UK has developed The Climate Change Act 2008 (Wood and et. al., 2016). As per this act,
UK government has taken different set of steps with the help of which they have aimed
developing healthy environment (Sing, Ray and Watts, 2015). There are different provisions
which are followed, among which few of them are as follows:
2050 target: This is a price of act in which UK aims at reducing the emission by 80%
within 2050. This decision was made on the basis of advice given by CCC report. They stated
that government should develop low-carbon Economy (Vanclay, 2013). The rate of GHG
emission in UK is very high. They are aiming at taking appropriate steps to make sure that
they will reduce its impact and provide people of UK with healthy environment.

Carbon budgets: The government has set up legal binding to reduce the budget of
carbon. The amount of greenhouse gases which are emitted in UK over the period of five
years is the carbon budget cap. The rate of gases which are expanded in air and results in
many issues. In this context, first four carbon budgets are set up and they will end in the year
2027.
National Adaptation plan: According to this type of plan, government of UK has
focused on analysing the rate of risk which UK will face (Sing, Ray and Watts, 2015). With
this respect, all the organization because of which pollution are caused will be limited. The
rate of pollution and risk which is caused by these firms will be reduced.
Investing in low carbon technologies: An effective action must be taken to increase
the use of technologies which emit low carbon. By reducing the emission of carbon from
industries and power sector, emphasis can be given on this. The UK is providing more than
200 million of find in the development of low carbon techniques and instruments.
5. KEY REASONS FOR SUCCESSION FOR MONTREAL PROTOCOL
The Montreal Protocol was designed to reduce the consumption and production of
depleting substances of ozone layer, in order to reduce the abundance of these substances at
atmosphere and protect the fragile ozone layer of the earth. This protocol was agreed on
September 16, 1987 and amended in 1992 (THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON
SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER. 2016). The Montreal Protocol
comprises of adjustment provisions and regulations which enable parties to quickly respond
to accelerate the reductions of use of chemicals. This protocol is applied to all countries, it
has been adjusted several times, that are on March 7 1991; September 23 1993; August 5
1996; July 28 2000 and May 14 2008, respectively. The Montreal Protocol have
accomplished great success, some of its deals are given below: Global participation: Montreal Protocol has became the first treaty of United Nations
which has achieved universal ratification, global environmental protection and etc. It
has globally participated in the protection of ozone layer and attain success. Healing of ozone layer: As the the depletion level of ozone layer is continuously
increasing, after the implementation of provisions of Montreal Protocol it has been
noticed that depletion of ozone layer is in control (Wu, Polvani and Seager, 2013). Elimination of ozone depleting substances: The Montreal Protocol is continuously
making efforts to reduce the use of sub stances that deplete the ozone layer. There are

various harmful substances and elements which are becoming the main reasons of
depletion of ozone (Velders and et. al., 2012). By reducing pollution, the release of
harmful substances can be prevented, such that its severe consequences can be
minimized in a significant manner. Health Benefits: The Montreal Protocol also provide health benefits, as it avoid the
cause of skin cancer, cataracts and many other diseases related to skin. It has been
reported that, over 6.3 million deaths can be avoided in various countries by 2165.
Moreover, the Montreal Protocol is successfully making efforts to provide health
benefits. High rates of compliance: The team of Montreal Protocol has achieved great success
and awards for their contribution. They have very-well participated in the to meet the
target and protect ozone layer (THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES
THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER. 2016). . Supporting developing countries: With the assistance of surplus funds, the
implementation of Montreal Protocol become possible. The developing countries have
phased out the tonnes of ozone depleting substances which are used for the production
of halon and CFCs.
 2010 phase-out milestone: On 2010, all parties of Montreal Protocol treaty out-phased
the production and consumption of halon, carbon tetrachloride, CFCs and other
depleting substances.
It has been demonstrated that, ozone depleting substances are highly emitted by
human activities, like chlorine atoms and other harmful substances which is destroying the
ozone layer. In accordance to the Montreal Protocol, the chlorine released is declining the
lower atmosphere as well as stratosphere (THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES
THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER. 2016). Moreover, the depletion of ozone layer is also
affecting greenhouse gas by altering the atmosphere and temperature. Greenhouse gases, like
methane and carbon dioxide are most important gases which are determining the ozone layer.
So, the Montreal Protocol has decline the depletion of ozone layer in an effective way. Its
been more than 25 years of signing of Montreal Protocol and it has attained success in the
prevention of depletion of ozone layer.

CONCLUSION
In essence, it can be concluded from the above study that it is necessary to study the
changing relationship between environment, society and science in different global context.
This report emphasized on the various issues of environment which have came into existence
due to many factors. So, there are many efforts and actions should be taken into consideration
to protect the environment, ecosystem and biodiversity. Moreover, with the help of many
legislations and protocols, environment should be protected.

REFERENCES
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