GEOG 1030
DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT: SYSTEMS
Graded--10 pts

Your assignment is to read Russwurm " A Systems Approach to the Natural Environment" which is available onBlackboard and to answer the following
questions. This assignment is due during your discussion meeting the 3rd week of class (the seven days beginning Monday January 26)

We will be talking about systems throughout the course and the purpose of this assignment is to give you a basic understanding of them in the natural environment.

Define the following in a sentence or two (use the back or a
separate sheet of paper)

intersystem exchanges
cycling
diversity and stability
entropy
equilibrium
feedback

Answer the following questions
1. Think up a few examples of positive and negative feedback.
2. Explain why there is no such thing as a "throwaway society."
3. Is the earth atmosphere system tending toward a state of entropy? Explain!
4. Can you develop a hierarchy of systems in the local area with an example from each level?
5. Are the following good examples of systems? Why or why not? Are they open or closed?

• your left ear lobe
• human body
• automobile
• pile of rubber bands
• a rainbow
• a blade of grass
• UNO
• calculus