2.1 Environmental Systems

• System; a network of interdependent components and processes with materials and energy flowing from one component to another
• Closed System; no matter exchanges with the surroundings
• Open System; those that receive inputs from their surroundings and produce outputs that leaves the system
• Negative Feedback; decrease a process or component
• Positive Feedback; increase a process or component
• Feedback Loops help stabilize systems
• Equilibrium; a relatively stable state that keeps populations sizes within sustainable range
• Examples of Disturbances:

  1. Fire
  2. Flooding
  3. Climate Change
  4. Invasion of New Species
  5. Destructive Human Activities
• Resilience; the ability to return to a previous condition from being in a disturbance
• State Shift; adapt to the current condition, not going back to previous condition
• Emergent Properties; properties that are entirely unexpected and includes emergent phenomena in materials and emergent behavior in living creatures