90 likes | 209 Views
Systems in the Environment. Positive Feedback Loops. DEFINITION: Situation in which change in a certain direction leads to more change in the same direction. But what does that mean? Compound interest – more leads to more. Decreasing albedo (reflectiveness). Negative Feedback Loops.
E N D
Positive Feedback Loops • DEFINITION: Situation in which change in a certain direction leads to more change in the same direction. • But what does that mean? • Compound interest – more leads to more
Negative Feedback Loops • DEF: One change leads to lessening of that change • Examples in environmental systems: • Predator/prey dynamics • Global warming leads to cooling
Synergy DEFINITION: Mixed response exceeds simple addition 1 + 1 = more than 2 EXAMPLES: Safe limit for individual pesticides
Leverage DEFINITION: Small changes can lead to big improvements EXAMPLE: Reducing pollution - through taxes - through incentives - through education
Sources • http://www.newint.org/features/2009/07/01/arctic-climate/ • http://my.opera.com/nielsol/blog/index.dml/tag/ocean%20currents • http://listsoplenty.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/tanning-at-the-beach.bmp • http://www.greenzer.com/blog/2333-epa-testing-pesticides.html • http://isiria.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/beijing-car-pollution.jpg