System Feedbacks

Question 1

Positive feedback system examples

Answer 1

runaway effect

surface temperature increase plant decomposition increases surface temperature

albedo goes down, warming goes up, more waves

Question 2

Coupling signs

Answer 2

arrow - positive - the way the first element goes, the other goes the same way
circle - negative - they go opposite ways

Question 3

Negative feedback loop

Answer 3

regulating system, at equilibrium

predator vs prey populations

they counter perturbations

Question 4

Little push, big push in negative feedback loop

Answer 4

Little push will return to equilibrium, big push will send it into different equilibrium state

Question 5

Daisy World

Answer 5

shows how organisms can help produce self-regulating systems, decreased perturbations due to changing solar luminosity

Negative loop before optimum
- surface temperature –> daisy coverage -o surface temperature

unstable, less optimal:
daisies decrease surface temperature increases daisies
solar luminosity increases surface temperature increases daisy coverage (white) decreases surface temperature increases daisy coverage (black)

eventually both find equilibrium