Chapter 10 Systems and Cycle Are We Harming Earth's Life Support System

What are the objectives of this chapter?
The objectives of this chapter are:

  • Explaining how systems can be open or closed, and how their parts interact to produce outcomes.
  • Describing the basic systems concepts of stocks and flows, as well as reinforcing and balancing (positive and negative) feedback.
  • Recognizing that matter can cycle between the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, and that Earth is a closed system.
  • Describing the biogeochemical cycles for oxygen, phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon.
  • Understanding how human activities affect major biogeochemical cycles and the environmental consequences of these effects.
Quote by Rumi

You think that because you understand "one" that you must understand "two" because one and one make two. But you forget that you must also understand "and."

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Example of an environment as many nested systems

You adjust the thermostat to raise the temperature a few degrees. You turn on the humidifier because air starts to get really dry. You cook something spicy in the kitchen, which causes the room to fill with a powerful smell. You open the window to let in fresh air, but that also causes the air temperature to drop. The furnace sends more hot air to compensate. You need to add more water to the humidifier since the furnace is now supplying more dry, hot air.

What is a system?
A system is a collection of components interacting with each other to produce outcomes that each component could not achieve on their own.

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What was Biosphere 2?
Biosphere 2 was a steel, concrete, and glass structure.

When did construction begin for Biosphere 2?
Construction began for Biosphere 2 in 1985.

How big was Biosphere 2?
Biosphere 2 was about 3 acres.

Where was Biosphere 2 built?
Biosphere 2 was built in the Arizona desert.

Why was Biosphere 2 built?
Biosphere 2 was built to attempt to create a self-sustaining habitat for humans.

How did Biosphere 2 attempt to create a self-sustaining habitat for humans?
Biosphere 2 attempted to create a self-sustaining habitat for humans by mimicking Earth features such as rain forests, rivers, and oceans for agricultural production.

Why was it named Biosphere 2?
It was named Biosphere 2 because the builders considered Earth to be Biosphere 1.

What happened with Biosphere 2 in 1991?
In 1991, eight people sealed themselves in Biosphere 2 for 2 years to see if it could sustain human survival.

What did the eight people who sealed themselves in Biosphere 2 call themselves?
The eight people who sealed themselves in Biosphere 2 called themselves "Biospherians."

Did the Biospherians survive?
Yes, the Biospherians survived.

What did the Biospherians face during their two-year survival?
During their two-year survival, the Biospherians faced serious challenges.

What did the Biospherians need in order to survive?
In order to survive, the Biospherians needed significant help from the outside.

What did Biosphere 2 fail to provide and why?
Biosphere 2 failed to provide adequate oxygen because although there were a lot of plants, the builders failed to consider the oxygen that would be used by microorganisms and absorbed by the structure itself.

How much oxygen did Biosphere 2 lose after several months?
After several months, Biosphere 2 lost 7 tons of oxygen.

What were the oxygen levels at the beginning and after several months?
The oxygen level at the beginning was 21%, and after several months it was 14%.

What happened as a result of the low oxygen level and what needed to be done because of it?
As a result of the low oxygen level, Biosphere 2's life-support system failed and additional oxygen had to be added to they could breathe.

What do the problems of Biosphere 2 illustrate?
The problems of Biosphere 2 illustrate:

  • The complex workings of our planet.
  • The importance of taking steps to protect the life-support systems for Earth (Biosphere 1).

What is Earth more than?
Earth is more than a collection of resources.

What is Earth?
Earth is a multitude of interconnections and nested systems.