Lec 5. System feedback and daisyworld

Question 1

explain the daisy world system

Answer 1

The Daisyworld system is a theoretical model created by James Lovelock to illustrate the Gaia hypothesis, which suggests that living organisms interact with their environment in a way that maintains conditions suitable for life. In the Daisyworld model, the planet is covered either with white daisies (high albedo) or gray land (low albedo)

it’s the link between global temperature and daisy coverage

+ temperature = +daisiy coverage
AND
+ daisy coverage = - temperature (because higher albedo energy reflection)

Question 2

explain the difference between the P1 and P2 equilibrium points of the daisyworld *stable and unstable

Answer 2

P1 (Stable): Small disturbances lead to self-correcting feedback; the system tends to return to this equilibrium.
P2 (Unstable): Small disturbances can lead to significant changes; the system is likely to move away from this equilibrium, potentially toward extreme conditions.
These concepts illustrate the delicate balance ecosystems maintain and how feedback loops can stabilize or destabilize environmental conditions.

Question 3

What does the daisy world “prove”?

Answer 3

The Daisyworld model illustrates how biological systems can interact with their physical environment to maintain stability, highlighting the interconnectedness of life and the environment.
It supports the idea that ecosystems can have self-regulating properties, potentially influencing climate and conditions on a planetary scale.