2.1 Environmental Systems

Cards (11)

  • 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