DP Environmental Systems and Societies Questionbank

Distinguish between negative and positive feedback using examples from environmental systems.

Explain how the first and second laws of thermodynamics are demonstrated as energy from the sun flows through the primary producers in a food chain.

Explain how predation may lead to stability in a population of the prey species.

Identify two reasons why a human vegetarian diet is considered to be more energy efficient than a diet containing meat.

Natural systems achieve equilibrium through feedback systems. Explain how feedback mechanisms would be associated with an increase in mean global temperature.

Describe how the second law of thermodynamics operates in relation to the transfer of energy within the Silver Springs ecosystem.

Explain how both positive and negative feedback mechanisms may play a role in producing a typical S population growth curve for a species.

Outline two reasons why the climax community in Figure 1 is more stable than the intermediate community.

Outline how feedback loops are involved in alternate stable states and the tipping points between them.

Discuss the role of humans in the destabilization of ecological systems.

Outline how four different factors influence the resilience of an ecosystem.

Outline how the model shown in Figure 9(c) demonstrates positive feedback.

Explain how positive feedback mechanisms may influence the equilibrium of an aquatic ecosystem during the process of eutrophication.

Identify four characteristics of ecosystems that contribute to their resilience.