1.2 - Systems And Models Flashcards
Define systems
an assemblage of parts and their relationship forming a functioning entirety or whole.
What are the 2 components to a system
Elements - measurable things that can be linked together. Example, trees, shrubs, herbs, birds and insects (items we can count, measure or weight
Processes - change elements from on form to another. These may also be called activities, relations, or functions. Example, growth, mortality, decomposition, and disturbances (what happens to the elements, or what the elements do)
Who came up with the GAIA hypothesis
James lovelock and Lynn margulis
What does the GAIA hypothesis say
That the world acts like a single biological being made up of many individual and interconnected units
What is a systems approach
A systems approach is a way of visualizing a complex set of interactions which may be ecological or societal. These interactions produce the emergent properties of the system
Why the system as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts
The interactions of the parts create something they could not produce independently
ex: two forest stands may contain the same tree species, but the spatial arrangement and size structure of the individual trees will create different habitats for wildlife species. In this case, an emergent property of each stand is the wildlife habitat
What are a holistic and emergent approach needed for when understanding the systems
A holistic approach is necessary to fully understand the way in which the parts of a complex system operates togher. An emergent property is a property which a collection or complex system has, but which the individual members do not have. A failure to realize that a property is emergent, or supervenient, leads to the fallacy of division.
How is there different scales to a system
There are different scales of systems. The range must include a small-scale local ecosystem, a large ecosystem such as a biome, and Gaia as an example of a global ecosystem. Forests contain many small-scale ecosystems
Compare reductionist and systems approaches to scientific research
Reductionist approach divers systems into parts or company’s which are studied separately. But a system can also be studied as a whole, with patterns, processes and interactions described for the whole system. This is more holistic, but much more complex, approach
Describe what its meant by the term “emergent prosperities”
Property which complex systems have but which the individual component do not have. Results from a system approach as the interactions between the components are what make up the emergent properties
Define storage
The stock of matter or energy within a system
Define flow
The movement of matter or energy from one storage to another, or into/out of the system
Define boundary
The designated area separating the system from its souroundings
Define input
Matter or energy entering the system
Define output
Matter or energy exiting the system
What are the 2 distinct types of flows depending on weather the matter/energy is changed or just moving
Transfer
Transformations
