ESS - 1.2

system

a set of inter-connected parts working as a whole

closed system

exchanges only energy with the enviourment, Earth

open system

exchanges energy and matter with the enviourment, forest

transfer

does not change its state or chemical structure

transformation

changes state

stable equilibrium

there is a tendency to return to the previous equilibrium following disturbance

steady-state equilibrium

on open systems, inputs are constantly balaced with outputs

negative feedback loop

output of a process inhibits or reverses the operation to reduce change

positive feedback loop

a disturbance leads to the amplification of the disturbance

Gaia hypothesis

Earth is a single entity which self-regulates

tipping point

ecosystem shift into a new state, can’t be predicted, long-lasting, hard to reverse

resilliance of a ecosystem

ability to return to initial state after a disturbance

atmosphere

air ecosystem

lithosphere

rock ecosystem

hydrosphere

water ecosystem

biosphere

part of Earth where life egxists, living organisms, soil, water, air

pedosphere

soil ecosystem

cryosphere

ice ecosystem

Minamata disease

Chiso Corporation release methyl-mercury into the water, Japan, 1956

Charnobyl Natural Disaster

explosion of a reactor due to flawed design and operator errors, Ukraine, 1986