Unit 1: Earth Systems Flashcards
1
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1.1: Systems
A
2
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Systems*
A
3
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System (definition)
A
set on interacting components considered to be a distinct entity for the purpose of study or understanding
4
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Characteristics of systems
A
- can exist on all scales
- can be living/nonliving
5
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Boundaries (definition)
A
defines the space of the system, to separate that system from the rest of the universe
6
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Components (definition)
A
all the parts of the system that interact to help the system carry out specific functions
7
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3 main types of inputs/outputs
A
energy, matter, information
8
Q
How are outputs generated
A
when the inputs are processed in some way
9
Q
How is a system categorized
A
according to the flow of inputs/outputs
10
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Open system (definition)
A
inputs/outputs flow into/out of the system
11
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Closed system (definition)
A
flow of one or more inputs/outputs is limited in some way
12
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Isolated system (definition)
A
ALL the inputs/outputs are contained within the system
13
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Is a control an example of a component
A
yes
14
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Controls (definition)
A
help keep the system working properly by monitoring/managing inputs/outputs
15
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3 types of controls
A
automatic, manually set, combination of both
16
Q
Is feedback a system control
A
yes
17
Q
Feedback (definition)
A
information from one step of a cycle that acts to change the behavior of a previous step of a cycle
18
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Feedback loop (definition)
A
formed when an output returns to become an input in the same system that generated the output
19
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Negative feedback (definition)
A
reduces effect of output
20
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Positive feedback (definition)
A
increases effect of output
21
Q
System organization*
A
22
Q
What does a complex system have that a smaller system doesn’t
A
more levels of organizations
23
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2 ways systems interact
A
- larger systems made up of smaller systems
- two organisms interact
24
Q
How can two systems influence each other
A
the output of one becomes the input for the other
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System models*
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Model (definition)
pattern, plan, representation, or description designed to show the structure or workings of an object, system, or concept
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4 types of models
1. physical model
2. conceptual model
3. mathematical model
4. simulation
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Physical model
smaller/larger copy of an object
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Conceptual model
diagram/flowchart showing how parts of a system are related / how a process works
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Mathematical model
equation / set of equations that generates data related to how a system/process works
31
Simulation
usually a computer model that tests variables and observes outcomes
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Systems biology*
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Systems biology (definition)
studies biological systems as integrated whole
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What does this approach allow scientists to consider (2)
1. scale of biological processes
2. how components of systems interact
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Emergent property (definition)
a property that a system has, but that its component parts do not have
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Earth system*
37
What does the Earth system include
solids, liquids, gases; all non/living objects; and all different forms of energy within Earth's BOUNDARY
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Biosphere (definition)
where all living things exist and interact
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Does matter stay within the Earth system
yes
40
Does energy stay within the Earth system
no
- enters: sunlight
*converted --> different energy forms*
- exits: heat
41
5 spheres in the Earth system
1. geosphere
2. hydrosphere
3. biosphere
4. atmosphere
5. anthrosphere
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Geosphere
solid features of Earth's surface (including sea floor) and everything below
43
Hydrosphere
all of Earth's water (including in the form of liquid water, ice, and water vapor)
44
Biosphere
area of Earth where life exists
45
Atmosphere
all the air that evelops Earth's solid/liquid surface
46
Anthrosphere
portion of Earth's environment that has been constructed/modified by humans
47
Biosphere organization*
48
Organization of biosphere systems
organism --> population --> community --> ecosystem --> biome --> biosphere
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Ecosystem (definition)
biotic + abiotic components of a given area
50
Biotic factors (definition)
living components in an ecosystem
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Abiotic factors (definition)
nonliving components of ecosystems
52
Population (definition)
group of the same species that live in the same area
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Community
multiple populations of different species
54
What can ecosystems be (besides terrestrial/land-based)
aquatic
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2 main categories of aquatic ecosystems
1. salt water
2. fresh water
56
Biome (definition)
major regional/global distribution of organisms characterized by specific climate conditions & plant communities
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5 characteristics of living things
1. made of cells
2. require energy
3. grow/change
4. reproduce
5. maintain homeostasis
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Homeostasis (definition)
maintenance of constant internal conditions
59
What is life an emergent property of
a collection of certain nonliving things
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Habitat and Niche*
61
Habitat (definition)
includes all of the a/biotic factors in the environment where an organism lives
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Ecological niche (definition)
all the physical, chemical, and biological factors that a species needs to surve/reproduce
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3 main parts of a species niche
1. food sources
2. abiotic conditions
3. behavior
64
Predation & Competition*
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Predation
process by which one organism (predator) captures and feeds upon another organism (prey)
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Is predation limited to carnivores
no
67
When does competition occur
when two organisms compete for the same limited resource
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Is competition always between the same species
no
69
Symbiosis*
70
Symbiosis (definition)
close ecological relationship between two or more organisms of different species that live in direct contact with one another
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3 major types of symbiosis
1. mutualism
2. commensalism
3. parasitism
72
When does mutualism occur
When both species benefit from the relationship
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When does commensalism occur
between two organisms in which one organism receives an ecological benefit and the other neither benefits nor is harmed
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When does parasitism occur
when one of the organisms benefit while the other one is harrmed
75
Biodiversity*
76
What does the diversity of an ecosystem indicate
it is more likely to stay stable over time due to quick recovery
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Biodiversity (definition)
measure of the number of different species found within a specific area
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What does an area with a high level of biodiversity have
a large assortment of species living near one another
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Keystone species*
80
Keystone species (definition)
single species that has an especially strong effect on an entire ecosystem
81
What does anything that affects a keystone species also affect
all the other species in that ecosystem
82
2 main factors that decrease biodiversity
1. human activities (pollution, etc)
2. introduction of new plants/animals
- prey on native species
- outcompete them
83
1.2: Analyzing Populations
84
Population density (definition)
number of individuals living in a defined space
85
Population density equation
= # of individuals / area (un^2)
86
3 main patterns of population dispersion
1. clumped
2. uniform
3. random
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When does clumped dispersion occur
when resources are spread unevenly within an ecosystem --> gathering in groups where resources are available
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2 benefits of clumped dispersion
1. protects individuals from predators
2. makes finding a mate easier
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When does uniform dispersion occur
when individuals of the same species must compete for limited resources and territory
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Which is the least common dispersion pattern
random dispersion
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When does random dispersion occur
when individuals are spread randomly within an area or volume
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Example of random dispersion
seeds being scattered by wind/water
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Why is population growth rate not the same in every place it is found for a species
since one ecosystem might experience exposure to different changes than another
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2 types of sampling techniques to estimate population size
1. mark-recapture technique (used for animals)
2. quadrant sampling (used for plants)
95
What is the main cause of changes in population size/gdensity
changes in resources available
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4 factors used to track population over time
immigration, emigration, births, and deaths
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Immigrate (definition)
move into a new population
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Emigrate (definition)
move out of the population
99
Growth rate formula
r = (b+i) - (d+e)
100
2 types of growth patterns
1. exponential growth
2. logistic growth
101
When does exponential growth occur
when a population size increases dramatically over a relatively short amount of time (ideal conditions of resources)
102
What shape is the graph of exponential growth
J-shaped curve
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When does logistic growth occur
when a population begins with a period of slow growth followed by a period of exponential growth before leveling off to a stable size
104
What shape is the graph of logistic growht
S-shaped curve
105
Carrying capacity (definition)
maximum population size of a species that a particular environment can normally and consistently support in terms of resources
106
What happens when the population hits this limit
certain factors keep it from continued growth (ex: resource availability)
107
What could happen to a population if it drastically reduces carrying capacity
there will be a crash in the population
108
When can carrying capacity change
at any time
109
Limiting factor (definition)
factor that has the greatest effect in keeping down the size of a population
110
2 categories of limiting factors
1. density-dependent factors
2. density-independent factors
111
Density-dependent factors (definition)
factors that are affected by the number of individuals in an area
112
Which population has a greater effect: a large or small population
large population
113
3 types of density-dependent limiting factors
1. competition
2. predation
3. parasitism and disease
114
Density-independent factors (definition)
factors that can change a population regardless of its density
115
3 types of density-independent limiting factors
1. weather
2. natural disasters
3. human activity
116
1.3: Changes in Ecosystems
117
Disturbance (definition)
a change brought about by a physical, chemical, or biological agent
118
Natural disturbance (definition)
the damage or destruction to ecosystems caused by nature
119
2 major ways humans cause disturbances
1. habitat fragmentation
2. urbanization
*decrease biodiversity
120
Habitat fragmentation (definition)
when a large continuous habitat is broken up into many smaller habitats
121
Urbanization (definition)
process by which human developments are established and develop as more people begin living in central areas
122
What can a stable ecosystem do
bounce back from normal disruptions
123
Ecosystem resilience (definition)
ability of an ecosystem to recover after it has undergone a disturbance
124
hat is resilience determined by (2)
1. biodiversity
2. genetic diversity
125
What type of ecosystem is more resilient
a complex ecosystem with many populations of species that perform the same function
126
Genetic diversity (definition)
refers to the amount of genetic variability within a species --> allows for different traits to be present in a species
127
Ecosystem resistance (definition)
ability to resist change from a disturbance
128
How can an resistant ecosystem be severely impacted
when the disturbance becomes too intense --> not able to recover as easily
129
Small-scale ecosystems (definition)
cover a relatively small region ofEarth
130
What do forests depend on occasional wildfires for (2)
to maintain ecosystem balance by:
1. removing harmful invasive species
2. recycling nutrients
131
What has human settlement caused regarding wildfires
for them to become too frequent
132
Ecological succession (definition)
sequence of biotic changes that creates a community in a previously uninhabited area or restores a damaged community
133
2 types of ecological successsion
1. primary succession
2. secondary succession
134
Primary succession (definition)
the establishment and development of an ecosystem in an area that was previously uninhabited, usually a bare rock surface
135
Glacial retreat (definition)
melting glaciers due to human activity raising global temperatures
136
What does glacial retreat allow for
us to get a firsthand look at primary succession
137
Secondary succession (definition)
reestablishment of an ecosystem in an area where the soil was left intact, such as after a fire or flood
138
Does secondary succession reach climax community before primary succession
yes
139
How does biodiversity increase as succession progresses
plant population grows --> return of animals --> bring in seeds --> establish new plants
140
Why is succession an ongoing process
even after the climax community is reestablished, changes (like small disturbances) continue to occur
141
1.4: Environmental Engineering
142
Technology (definition)
application of scientific knowledge for practical pruposes
143
3 aspects of that are weighed in technology
1. benefits
2. risks
3. costs
144
What do scientists do when they modify technology
increase benefits, decrease risks + costs
145
Research and development process
back-and-forth between engineers and scientists developing technology
146
Relationship between technology and society
influence each other
147
Engineering design process (definition)
method used to develop or improve technology
148
Iterative (definition)
uses repeating steps
149
Are all the steps of the engineering design process always followed in the same order
no
150
What occurs when defining the problem
engineers ask questions to help them understand the criteria for the design
151
Criteria (definition)
set a standard on which a solution can be based: "wants"
152
What occurs when delimiting a problem
the process of defining constraints of the problem
153
Constraints (definition)
limitations that a design/solution must stay within
154
If a solution doesn't meet the constraints, is it considered
no
155
Tradeoff (definition)
an exchange for one thing in return for another
156
What is a decision matrix (Pugh chart) used for
to evaluate each solution against the criteria of the problem
157
Understand how to solve a decision a matrix*
158
What occurs once a number of solutions have been proposed
evaluated against criteria/constraints --> 1-2 selected to enter optimization phase of design process
159
Prototype (definition)
first build of a design and may not be built to scale or with the final materials
160
Testing part of the engineering design process
important part that lets engineers get feedback on the design
161
What is an important part of the optimization process
considering tradeoffs
162
What does a life cycle analysis do
evaluate the real cost of a new technology or design by taking into account materials/energy used to manufacture/transport/use/dispose of a product
163
What does cost-benefit analysis do
it is a method of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of a design
164
What do engineers do after testing and choosing a final design
communicate their results!
