Chapter 3 Guided Reading
Define the following and give examples of each:
System: components or parts that function as a whole.
Open System: system that has energy or materials that move in out of the system.
• Closed System: A system with no energy or materials that move in out of the system.
• Materially Closed System: A system where no matter moves in or out of the system, but energy and information can travel past the system's boundaries.
• Static System versus Dynamic System:
Static System: conditions remain in an exact conditio
Dynamic System: Changes over time.
• Steady-State System: The inputs of the system are equal to the system's output
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?
equilibrium in systems is misleading because some times there are times where stuff can completely change the balance of the ecosystems. The balance is possible and for long time, but not forever.
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?
Ecosystems are important for study of environmental science because it allows to see that systems are in categories by both human and natural disturbance. We should be worried about human disturbances, but some natural disturbances are beneficial in terms of maintenance of thee system.
OgoDefine: Average Residence Time (How is it calculated?)
Average Residence Time is the amount of time something stays in a reservoir
Discuss the difference between positive and negative feedback loops. Give an example of
each.
Negative feedback: An increase in output that leads to a later decrease in output. Example: The temperature rises (Output Increase) which may lead you going into the shade (The later output decrease)
Positive feedback: When an increase in output leads to a later increase in output. Example: A fire starting in a forest. It starts slow and gets bigger. The fire slowly increases in size.
Define
Flow: An amount transfered
Flux: The rate of transfer per minute
• Lag Time: The time delay between a cause and appearance of its response
• Exponential Growth (What is the main idea- is it good or bad?)
Exponential growth is bad. The growth does not follow a linear path and can easily lead to a faster overshoot and collapse in population.
• Doubling Time: The time required for the quantity being measured to double
• Overshoot and Collapse (draw and label the graph)
Why does overshoot occur, and what could be done to anticipate and avoid it?
Overshoot occurs because a population grows way past its carrying length. To anticipate and dodge the overshoot, it is possible to use an equation to predict when overshoot might happen and use that knowledge to perhaps raise the carrying capacity cap, or lower the population from growing so exponentially.
Discuss the idea of Environmental Unity.
Environmental Unity is the idea that everything is intertwined, if we change one thing, something else will be affected. Everything is connected to everything else. This is an overstatement, but it is interpreted as change in part of a system will impact the rest of the system and possibly adjacent systems as well.
Discuss the idea of uniformitarianism
Uniformatarianism is that idea that all geological and biological processes occurring today are the same processes that happened in the past, and vice versa. This means that by studying our current environmental circumstances, we can better understand the past. Along with understanding the past we also have a better prediction of understanding the future.
What is the Gaia Hypothesis?
Life manipulates the earth to help
System: components or parts that function as a whole.
Open System: system that has energy or materials that move in out of the system.
• Closed System: A system with no energy or materials that move in out of the system.
• Materially Closed System: A system where no matter moves in or out of the system, but energy and information can travel past the system's boundaries.
• Static System versus Dynamic System:
Static System: conditions remain in an exact conditio
Dynamic System: Changes over time.
• Steady-State System: The inputs of the system are equal to the system's output
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?
equilibrium in systems is misleading because some times there are times where stuff can completely change the balance of the ecosystems. The balance is possible and for long time, but not forever.
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?
Ecosystems are important for study of environmental science because it allows to see that systems are in categories by both human and natural disturbance. We should be worried about human disturbances, but some natural disturbances are beneficial in terms of maintenance of thee system.
OgoDefine: Average Residence Time (How is it calculated?)
Average Residence Time is the amount of time something stays in a reservoir
Discuss the difference between positive and negative feedback loops. Give an example of
each.
Negative feedback: An increase in output that leads to a later decrease in output. Example: The temperature rises (Output Increase) which may lead you going into the shade (The later output decrease)
Positive feedback: When an increase in output leads to a later increase in output. Example: A fire starting in a forest. It starts slow and gets bigger. The fire slowly increases in size.
Define
Flow: An amount transfered
Flux: The rate of transfer per minute
• Lag Time: The time delay between a cause and appearance of its response
• Exponential Growth (What is the main idea- is it good or bad?)
Exponential growth is bad. The growth does not follow a linear path and can easily lead to a faster overshoot and collapse in population.
• Doubling Time: The time required for the quantity being measured to double
• Overshoot and Collapse (draw and label the graph)
Why does overshoot occur, and what could be done to anticipate and avoid it?
Overshoot occurs because a population grows way past its carrying length. To anticipate and dodge the overshoot, it is possible to use an equation to predict when overshoot might happen and use that knowledge to perhaps raise the carrying capacity cap, or lower the population from growing so exponentially.
Discuss the idea of Environmental Unity.
Environmental Unity is the idea that everything is intertwined, if we change one thing, something else will be affected. Everything is connected to everything else. This is an overstatement, but it is interpreted as change in part of a system will impact the rest of the system and possibly adjacent systems as well.
Discuss the idea of uniformitarianism
Uniformatarianism is that idea that all geological and biological processes occurring today are the same processes that happened in the past, and vice versa. This means that by studying our current environmental circumstances, we can better understand the past. Along with understanding the past we also have a better prediction of understanding the future.
What is the Gaia Hypothesis?
Life manipulates the earth to help