An Interactive Introduction to Organismal and Molecular Biology, 2021
An Interactive Introduction to Organismal and Molecular Biology, 2021
An Interactive Introduction to Organismal and Molecular Biology, 2021
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8.<br />
SYSTEMS THINKING AND THE CARBON<br />
CYCLE<br />
<strong>An</strong>drea Bierema<br />
Learning Objectives<br />
Students will be able <strong>to</strong>:<br />
• Describe systems thinking.<br />
• Identify <strong>and</strong> describe a system that is observed in the natural world.<br />
• Apply systems terminology (e.g., closed <strong>and</strong> open system, reservoir, <strong>and</strong> flux) <strong>to</strong> the structure<br />
of a systems model, including the carbon cycle.<br />
• Identify the characteristics of positive (reinforcing) <strong>and</strong> negative (balancing) feedbacks in<br />
systems model output.<br />
• Convert information in<strong>to</strong> a carbon cycle model <strong>to</strong> illustrate the relationships of components<br />
within a system.<br />
• Use a carbon cycling system model <strong>to</strong> predict how a carbon molecular travels through the<br />
earth’s four spheres.<br />
• Estimate residence time for a system in equilibrium.<br />
Systems Thinking<br />
A system is a set of components that are linked through interconnections <strong>and</strong> functions <strong>to</strong> create an outcome.<br />
The interconnections of components <strong>and</strong> their interactions create system behavior. This is a broad definition
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