Wainwright Ch 2 - Test 1 PT 1

Question 1

Research

Answer 1

Improving through understanding

Developing new processes to better understand things

Question 2

What is the best model?

Answer 2

Best representation of reality with simplest parameters/complexity

Question 3

What is the key to successful modeling? (3)

Answer 3

simple model
still realistic
has a solution

Question 4

Large scale and long term - characteristic of system studied by environmental scientists

Answer 4

can study small piece but it fits into a larger system/context

Question 5

Multicomponent - characteristic of system studied by environmental scientists

Answer 5

studying how things are linked, not just one piece

Question 6

Multiscale - characteristic of system studied by environmental scientists

Answer 6

Organism up to community up to ecosystem

Question 7

3 characteristics of systems studied by environmental scientists

Answer 7

multi scale
large scale/long term
multicomponent

Question 8

Look into future - needs incorporated into env science research

Answer 8

predicting using proven models

using understanding of current processes/state

Question 9

Understand impact of future events - needs incorporated into env science research

Answer 9

developing scenarios for change (land cover, climate change)

Question 10

Understand impacts on human behavior - needs incorporated into env science research

Answer 10

humans are sensitive to climate/resource change (predict impacts)

Question 11

3 needs incorporated into environmental science research

Answer 11

Look into future
Understand impact of future events
Understand impacts on human behavior

Question 12

What is the sensitivity of a model to its parameters?

Answer 12

model is sensitive to whatever you put into it

“the magnitude of the effect of parameters on model output”

Question 13

Which parameters should be high on the agenda for monitoring activities?

Answer 13

Highly sensitive parameters