Natural systems Flashcards
what is an ecosystem
the interrelationships between living and non living components within a particular environment i.e pond or forest
what is an input and give three examples
Where matter/energy moves into the system from outside
-precipitation
-lead fall during autumn
-seeds carried by wind and birds
What is an output, give three examples
Where matter/energy moves from the system outside
-water soaking through soil and rocks
-evaporation
-seeds dispersal
What’s a store and give three examples
individual elements or parts of a system
- water
-soil
-plants
What are flows/transfers
The links or relationships between the components
-photosynthesis
-infiltration
-transpiration
What’s a boundary
limit to the system (eg watershed)
What’s positive Feedback
A cyclical sequence of events that amplifies or increases change.
Positive feedback loops exacerbate the outputs of a system, driving it in one direction and promoting environmental instability.
What’s negative feedback
A cyclical sequence of events that damps down or neutralises the effects of a system, promoting stability and a state of dynamic equilibrium.
What’s dynamic equilibrium
This represents a state of balance within a constantly changing system
example of an INPUT in a DRAINAGE BASIN
precipitation
example of OUTPUT in a DRAINAGE BASIN
runoff
example of ENERGY in a DRAINAGE BASIN
latent heat associated with changes in the state of water
example of STORES in a DRAINAGE BASIN
trees puddles and soil
example of FLOWS in a DRAINAGE BASIN
infiltration, groundwater flow, evaporation
example of Positive Feedback in a DRAINAGE BASIN
Rising sea levels (due to thermal expansion and melting freshwater ice) can destabilize ice shelves, increasing the rate of calving.
This leads to an increase in melting causing sea levels to rise further.
example of NEGATIVE FEEDBACK in a DRAINAGE BASIN
Increased surface temperatures lead to an increase in evaporation from the oceans. This leads to more cloud cover. Clouds reflect radiation from the sun, resulting in a slight cooling of surface temperatures.
example of INPUT in a WOODLAND CARBON CYCLE
precipitation with dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2)
example of OUTPUT in WOODLAND CARBON CYCLE
Dissolved carbon within runoff
