Chapter 3 Guided Reading
system: Set of parts that function together as a whole Ex/ the human body
open system: A system with energy that moves in and/or out of the system Ex/ things moving to and out of the ocean
closed system: A system without energy that moves in and/or out of the system Ex/ a home
Materially closed system: A system where no matter moves in or out of the system Ex/ the earth
Static system versus Dynamic system:
Steady state system: A system where the inputs and outputs are equal Ex/ dam and lake
Why is the idea of equilibrium in systems somewhat misleading in regard to environmental questions? Is the establishment of a balance of nature ever possible?
The idea is misleading in regard to environmental questions because there are times where we can change the balance of ecosystems. Balance can be possible for a long time, but it doesn't remain the same.
Why is the concept of the ecosystem so important in the study of environmental science? Should we be worried about disturbing ecosystems? Under what circumstances should we worry or not worry?
The concept of the ecosystem is important because we need to know whether the system has natural or human-made disturbances. We should be worries about disturbing the ecosystem because disturbing it might affect everything else. We should worry mostly on human disturbances rather than natural disturbances.
Define: Average Residence Time (How is it calculated?)
Average residence time is how long something of interest to us will stay in reservoir. It's calculated by dividing the total volume of stored water in the series of dams by the average rate of transfer through the system.
Discuss the difference between positive and negative feedback loops. Give an example of each
Ex/ going into the shade when you feel hot, Negative feedback is an increase in output that leads to a decrease in output. Ex/ a fire starting in a forest and increasing ,Positive feedback an increase in output leads to a later increase in output.
Flow: The amount transferred
Flux: Rate of transfer per min
Lag time: Delay between a cause and the appearance of its effect
Exponential growth (What is the main idea- is it good or bad?): Change is exponential when it increases or decreases at a constant rate per time period,rather than by a constant amount.
Doubling time: Time necessary it takes to make the quantity double.
Overshoot and Collapse (draw and label the graph)
Overshoot: carrying capacity
Collapse: Lower population level
open system: A system with energy that moves in and/or out of the system Ex/ things moving to and out of the ocean
closed system: A system without energy that moves in and/or out of the system Ex/ a home
Materially closed system: A system where no matter moves in or out of the system Ex/ the earth
Static system versus Dynamic system:
- static system: A system the stays the same Ex/ ballon tied to a pole
- dynamic system: A system that changes over time Ex/ a hot air balloon
Steady state system: A system where the inputs and outputs are equal Ex/ dam and lake
Why is the idea of equilibrium in systems somewhat misleading in regard to environmental questions? Is the establishment of a balance of nature ever possible?
The idea is misleading in regard to environmental questions because there are times where we can change the balance of ecosystems. Balance can be possible for a long time, but it doesn't remain the same.
Why is the concept of the ecosystem so important in the study of environmental science? Should we be worried about disturbing ecosystems? Under what circumstances should we worry or not worry?
The concept of the ecosystem is important because we need to know whether the system has natural or human-made disturbances. We should be worries about disturbing the ecosystem because disturbing it might affect everything else. We should worry mostly on human disturbances rather than natural disturbances.
Define: Average Residence Time (How is it calculated?)
Average residence time is how long something of interest to us will stay in reservoir. It's calculated by dividing the total volume of stored water in the series of dams by the average rate of transfer through the system.
Discuss the difference between positive and negative feedback loops. Give an example of each
Ex/ going into the shade when you feel hot, Negative feedback is an increase in output that leads to a decrease in output. Ex/ a fire starting in a forest and increasing ,Positive feedback an increase in output leads to a later increase in output.
Flow: The amount transferred
Flux: Rate of transfer per min
Lag time: Delay between a cause and the appearance of its effect
Exponential growth (What is the main idea- is it good or bad?): Change is exponential when it increases or decreases at a constant rate per time period,rather than by a constant amount.
Doubling time: Time necessary it takes to make the quantity double.
Overshoot and Collapse (draw and label the graph)
Overshoot: carrying capacity
Collapse: Lower population level
Why does overshoot occur, and what could be done to anticipate and avoid it?
Overshoot occurs when the population grows it eventually exceeds the carry capacity. To avoid and anticipate it, we can predict when an overshoot will happen by using an equation.
Discuss the idea of Environmental Unity
Environmental Unity is the idea that it is impossible to change only one thing since everything affects another. If we change one thing, it will affect something else. It can be an over statement since one thing being change will affect everything else.
Discuss the idea of uniformitarianismUniformitarianism is the idea that geological and biological processes that occur today are the same kinds of that occurred in the past and vice versa.
What is the Gaia Hypothesis?
Gaia Hypothesis is the hypothesis that life manipulates the environment for the mainatenance of life
Overshoot occurs when the population grows it eventually exceeds the carry capacity. To avoid and anticipate it, we can predict when an overshoot will happen by using an equation.
Discuss the idea of Environmental Unity
Environmental Unity is the idea that it is impossible to change only one thing since everything affects another. If we change one thing, it will affect something else. It can be an over statement since one thing being change will affect everything else.
Discuss the idea of uniformitarianismUniformitarianism is the idea that geological and biological processes that occur today are the same kinds of that occurred in the past and vice versa.
What is the Gaia Hypothesis?
Gaia Hypothesis is the hypothesis that life manipulates the environment for the mainatenance of life