ENVS 202 1st Edition Lecture 2Outline of Last Lecture NoneOutline of Current Lecture I. Shifting BaselinesII. Tragedy of the CommonsIII. Feedback LoopsCurrent LectureI. Shifting BaselinesShifting baselines can be seen as “the new normal,” in contrast to what has changed over time. . . from one generation to the next, we lose sight of what is the “original natural”What may seem pristine today is really far less than in the pastOverfishing and depleted coral reefs are good examples. . . even if today’s levels of fish or coral reef biodiversity seem good, they are very low compared to our baseline, year 1800 or soII. Tragedy of the CommonsCommon resources shared between all. . . their overuse and mistreatment becomes a tragedyThe atmosphere and the ocean are good examples. . . they are resources everyone must share and in turn, are receiving common/shared pollutionIII. Feedback LoopsMost predator/prey are negative feedback loops: the more predators, the less prey; the more prey, the more predatorsExample: fossil fuels are produced -> greenhouse gases are produced -> Earth warms -> more clouds -> clouds reflect more sunlight -> Earth cools These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Many feedback loops are interconnected and are affecting others: domino effectPositive feedback loops are self-reinforcing loops. . . an increase in one variable leads to further increase in that variable, or decrease leads to further decrease. . . this has nothing to do with whether it is beneficialNegative feedback loops are self regulating. . . a system will balance itself out, such us more zooplankton means more fish, more fish means less
View Full Document
Unlocking...