This presentation summarizes the key elements of the IBO's Environmental Systems and Societies Topic 1: Systems and Models.

1. ESS Topic 1
Review - Systems
and Models
International School of Tanganyika
Mr Brad Kremer
April 2011

2. Systems Science
• Ecosystems
• Economic systems
• Social systems
• Value systems

3. Systems Science
• Ecosystems
• Economic systems
• Social systems
• Value systems
Image credit: http://www.andysalo.com

4. Systems Science
• Ecosystems
• Economic systems
• Social systems
• Value systems

5. Systems Science
• Ecosystems
• Economic systems
• Social systems
• Value systems
Image credit: http://athaia.com

6. Systems Science
• Ecosystems
• Economic systems
• Social systems
• Value systems

7. Systems Science
• Ecosystems
• Economic systems
• Social systems
• Value systems Image credit: http://2.bp.blogspot.com

8. Systems Science
• Ecosystems
• Economic systems
• Social systems
• Value systems

9. Systems Science
• Ecosystems
• Economic systems
• Social systems
• Value systems
Image credit: http://i.ehow.co.uk

10. Systems Science
• Ecosystems
• Economic systems
• Social systems
• Value systems

11. Systems Science
• Ecosystems
• Economic systems
• Social systems
• Value systems
Image credit: http://memegenerator.net

12. Systems Science
• Ecosystems
• Economic systems
• Social systems
• Value systems

13. Systems Approach
• Specialization
• Grouping
• Coordination
• Emergent
Properties Image credit: http://vmasseau-science.sbsd.sbhs.schoolfusion.us

14. Systems Have...
• Inputs
• Outputs
• Flows
• Storages
• Boundaries

15. Systems Have...
• Inputs
• Outputs
• Flows
• Storages
• Boundaries
Image credit: http://www.cdc.gov

16. Systems Have...
• Inputs
• Outputs
• Flows
• Storages
• Boundaries

17. Systems Have...
• Inputs
• Outputs
• Flows
• Storages
• Boundaries
Image Credit: http://renewingwellness.com

18. Systems Have...
• Inputs
• Outputs
• Flows
• Storages
• Boundaries

19. Open Systems
• Exchange both
energy and matter.
• Almost all
ecosystems on
Earth.
Image credit: http://www.uwsp.edu

20. Closed Systems
• Exchange
energy but
NOT matter.
• Example: H O 2
cycle
• Earth is a
closed system

21. Isolated Systems
X
• Exchange neither energy
nor matter.
• Don’t exist in nature!

22. Isolated Systems
X
• Exchange neither energy
nor matter.
• Don’t exist in nature!

23. Thermodynamics 1
• Energy is neither
created nor
destroyed
• Total energy is
constant
• Energy can be
transformed
(change state)

24. Thermodynamics 1
• Energy is neither
created nor
destroyed
• Total energy is
constant
• Energy can be
transformed Image credit: http://dspace.mit.edu
(change state)

25. Thermodynamics 1
• Energy is neither
created nor
destroyed
• Total energy is
constant
• Energy can be
transformed
(change state)

26. Thermodynamics 1
• Energy is neither
created nor
destroyed
• Total energy is
constant
• Energy can be
transformed
(change state) Image credit: http://www.solar-benefits.com

27. Thermodynamics 1
• Energy is neither
created nor
destroyed
• Total energy is
constant
• Energy can be
transformed
(change state)

28. Thermodynamics 2
• Entropy (disorder)
always increases
• Energy
transformations are
not efficient
• or...
Image credit: http://www.zazzle.com

29. Static Equilibria
• Static = no
change
• closed non- Image credit: http://image.wistatutor.com
living
systems
• rare in
nature Image credit: http://www.uwsp.edu
• unstable
Image credit: Fiona Ross via http://4.bp.blogspot.com

30. Steady-State Equilibria
• Steady-state
(dynamic) =
many short-
term
changes
• open living
systems
• overall
balance stays
the same Image credit: http://www.tececo.com

31. Positive Feedback
• Diverges from
the equilibrium
• snowball effect
• Positive
feedback is
BAD
Image credit: http://givenmydruthers.files.wordpress.com

32. Negative Feedback
• Returns to
equilibrium
• Minimizes
change
• Negative
feedback is
GOOD

33. Negative Feedback
• Returns to
equilibrium
• Minimizes
change
• Negative
feedback is
GOOD Image credit: http://www.wellwrittenwords.com

34. Negative Feedback
• Returns to
equilibrium
• Minimizes
change
• Negative
feedback is
GOOD

35. Negative Feedback
• Returns to
equilibrium
• Minimizes
change
• Negative
feedback is Image credit: controls.engin.umich.edu
GOOD

36. Negative Feedback
• Returns to
equilibrium
• Minimizes
change
• Negative
feedback is
GOOD

37. Negative Feedback
• Returns to
equilibrium
• Minimizes
change
• Negative
feedback is Image credit: http://sfponline.org
GOOD

38. Negative Feedback
• Returns to
equilibrium
• Minimizes
change
• Negative
feedback is
GOOD

39. Negative Feedback
• Returns to
equilibrium
• Minimizes
change
• Negative
feedback is Image credit: http://www.bbc.co.uk
GOOD

40. Modeling Systems
• Physical
models
• Computer/
software
simulations
• Math
• Diagrams

41. Modeling Systems
• Physical RNA
models Polymerase
• Computer/
software
simulations
• Math
Image credit: http://cbm.msoe.edu
• Diagrams

42. Modeling Systems
• Physical
models
• Computer/
software
simulations
• Math
• Diagrams

43. Modeling Systems
• Physical
models
• Computer/ Climate
Modeling
software
simulations
• Math
• Diagrams
Image credit: http://serc.carleton.edu

44. Modeling Systems
• Physical
models
• Computer/
software
simulations
• Math
• Diagrams

45. Modeling Systems
• Physical
models
• Computer/
software
simulations
• Math ??????
• Diagrams Image credit: http://www.desidunia.co.in

46. Modeling Systems
• Physical
models
• Computer/
software
simulations
• Math
• Diagrams

47. Modeling Systems
• Physical
models
• Computer/
software
simulations
• Math
• Diagrams Star
Wars
Image credit: http://www.admit-one.net

48. Modeling Systems
• Advantages: • Disadvantages:
• simpler to understand • may be incomplete
• change w/out • results accurate?
disastrous effects
• liable to human error
• predict what might
happen if...