Yessica Pacheco

Define the following and give examples of each:

System: A system is a set of components, or parts, that together as a whole. Open System: An open system is energy or material that moves into or out of the system. Example: carbon dioxide gets absorb by plants, then get fixed into oxygen and released back into the atmosphere Closed System: In a closed system, no transfer takes place. Materially Closed System: No matter moves in or out of the system. Static System versus Dynamic System: Static System is fixed condition and tends to remain in the exact condition, while dynamic system changes. Steady-State System: Inputs are equal to outputs. 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 of equilibrium in systems somewhat mislead in regard to the environment because the friction gradually dissipates the energy you just gave. 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 so important in the study of environment science because it affects all of the environment cycle including the animals and plants. We should be worried about disturbing ecosystems because if we disturb one simple thing, it will create a chain reaction, and will end up disturbing and destroying everything. We should worry under the circumstances of nature balance.

Yessica Pacheco

Define:
Average Residence Time (How is it calculated?): Average Residence Time is measure of the time it takes for the total stock or supply of the material to be cycled through a system. It is calculated by time for water in Gavins Point Dam.

Discuss the difference between positive and negative feedback loops. Give an example of each. The difference between + & - feedback loops is that negative has a decrease input and positive has increase. An example is that wood may be slightly damp at the beginning and so may not burn readily.

Define:
Flow: Flow is amount transferred. Flux: Flux is rate of transfer per unit time. Lag Time: Delay between cause and appearance of its effect. Exponential Growth (What is the main idea- is it good or bad? Exponential growth is important kind of feedback. Doubling Time: Double time is doubling time in the years. Overshoot and Collapse

Yessica Pacheco

Why does overshoot occur, and what could be done to anticipate and avoid it? Overshoot occur because population grows exponentially and eventually exceeds. Discuss the idea of Environmental Unity. Environmental Unity is the idea that it is impossible to change only one thing. Everything affects everything else.

Discuss the idea of uniformitarianism

Yessica Pacheco

Uniformitarianism is the idea that geological & biological process that occurs today is the same that happened in the past. It also works Vice Versa.

What is the Gaia Hypothesis? *The Gaia hypothesis states that life manipulates the environment for the maintenance of life.