Systems
This course is called Environmental Systems and Societies and not just Environmental Science. We are going to investigate the world looking at complex sets of components that function together and form integrated units.
A system is defined as: An assemblage of parts and their relationship forming a functioning entirety or whole
A system can be small to very large.
Component of system Shown as Storages (stores of matter or energy) boxes Flows (into and out of system) arrows Inputs Arrows into the system Outputs Arrows out of the system Processes (transfer or transform energy or matter from one storage to another) Labels such as respiration, consumption, or photosynthesis.
1.1.3 Define the terms open system, closed system, and isolated system An open system exchanges matter and energy with its surroundings A closed system exchanges energy but not matter. An isolated system exchanges neither matter nor energy.
Earth Open or Closed System?
NASA has been thinking of ways to get us to live on Mars. How could we design away to test if we can sustain life on Mars?
Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2 What do you know about this?
Read page 22 take notes on your paper What is Biosphere 2 and could it sustain life?
https://www. ted. com/talks/jane_poynter_life_in_biosphere_2 https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_poynter_life_in_biosphere_2?language=en https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yAcD3wuY2Q
Based on what you read and saw in the Ted Talk video, should we send people to Mars? Just so you know they have already decided to do this and the people have been chosen. What do you think?
Human Settlement on Mars Mars One is a not for profit foundation with the goal of establishing a permanent human settlement on Mars. To prepare for this settlement the first unmanned mission is scheduled to depart in 2020. Crews will depart for their one-way journey to Mars starting in 2026; subsequent crews will depart every 26 months after the initial crew has left for Mars. Mars One is a global initiative aiming to make this everyone's mission to Mars, including yours. Join Mars One’s efforts to enable the next giant leap for mankind. - See more at: http://www.mars-one.com/#sthash.lSIpP3FZ.dpuf
Apply the systems concept on a range of scales Systems can be considered on a range of scales, from small to large Very small scale Small scale local Large (a biome) Global (Gaia) The Pacific Ocean A drop of water The Earth A single pond
Apply the systems concept on a range of scales The Gaia Hypothesis The Earth can be regarded as a single functioning system All living organisms and the non-living environments are closely integrated One system that is self-regulating and maintains the conditions for life on Earth Scientists observe how the living components affect stability of: Earth’s temperature, ocean salinity, oxygen content of air
Apply the systems concept on a range of scales Another example of systems in a range of scales: Local Ecosystem: Sierra National Forest Biome: Temperate Forest Global: Gaia (Earth)
Apply the systems concept on a range of scales A system diagram of a single organism: Consider all inputs and outputs The organism is the storage
Apply the systems concept on a range of scales An individual fish in a pond ecosystem carbon dioxide water water oxygen Fish biomass waste nutrients from food biomass to next trophic level (eaten by predators) biomass to decomposers (fish dies and decomposes)
Apply the systems concept on a range of scales With your group, draw a system model for a single tree. Remember a storage is a box and not a picture of a tree Consider all inputs and outputs Check your diagram! (5:05) Add, erase, or change your diagram where necessary. Tree Biomass
A system and it’s components Consider the system below. If you isolated each component, the system would break down. It is a system because of the interactions between the components.
A mail system: Construct a model illustrating a mail system.
Is our mail system an open, closed, or isolated system? Provide proof of your answer. Is matter and energy being exchanged? What is matter and energy in this system?