Ecosystems

Ecology divided in 3 main sections

• Biomes
• Ecosystem structure
• Ecosystem function

Biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems

• Ecosystems are made up of the organisms and physical environment and the interactions between the living and non-living components within them.
• Biotic factors:  living components of an ecosystem. Organism or their products that directly or indirectly affect an organism in its environment. Include:
  • Organisms, their interaction, and waste.
  • Predation, parasitism, and disease are biotic factors.
• Abiotic factors: non-living, physical and chemical components of an ecosystem. Include:
  • atmosphere
  • climate – light intensity, temperature range, precipitation
  • soil structure and chemistry
  • water chemistry
  • seasonality
  • level of pollutants
• Limiting factors: factors which prevent a community, population or organism growing larger.
  • Example: phosphate being in limited supply in most aquatic systems, and low temperature which freezes the soil and limits water availability to plants.

Getting the Terminology 

• Species: a particular type of organism.
  • Example:  humans, giraffes and pine trees.
  • Each species is given a scientific name composed of 2 parts: the genus name and the species name.
  • Scientific names are underlined or in italics .
  • Genus name is given first with  capital letter.

• Population: is a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time.
• Habitat: is the environment where a species normally lives. Many populations of different species may share the same habitat.
• Ecological niche: is how an organism makes a living.
  • This includes every relationship that organism may have – where it lives, how it responds to resources available, to predators, to competitors and how it alter these biotic factors.
  • Abiotic factors – how much space there is, and availability of light and water. 
  • No two species can inhabit the same ecological niche in the sam enlace at the same time. However, many species may live together – because they have slightly different needs and reposes they arena in the same niche. 
• Community: is a group of populations living and interacting with each other in a common habitat (the same place).
  • A community contains all the biotic components of a habitat. 
• Ecosystem: is a community of interdependent organisms and the physical (abiotic) environment which they inhabit. 
  • Ecosystems may be of varying sizes from a drop of rainwater to a forest. 
  • Human ecosystems include a household or a school or a nation state. 
  • Do not exist independently but interact to make up the biosphere.
• Biome: is a collection of ecosystems sharing common climatic conditions. 
  • Example: tundra, desert, tropical rainforest. 
• Biosphere: is that part of the Earth inhabited by organisms. It’s a thin payer that extends from the upper part of the atmosphere down to the deepest part of the oceans which support life. 

Does a person’s character determine that person’s success in life?

A person’s character determine a person’s success in life. Most people who become success in life are not because that they are smart, talented, or wealthy, but because of their characteristics. A person’s character could be define by their attitude, and their personality. It’s important for a person to have positive attitude and viewpoint because this is what leading people to success. Two of the most important characteristic for a person to achieve the goal is to believe in yourself and never stop working hard. 

Believe in yourself is one of the most important characteristic for a person to become success. No matter how other people said or judged you, you need to remember not to let anyone put your dreams down. It is very important for you to believe in yourself when others do not believe in you. People might be looking down on you and saying that you cannot do it, do not listen to them, all you have to do is prove to them that they are wrong. Some people become hopeless and give up easily after they face with failure. However, in order to become success,  you need to believe in yourself and do not afraid of failure because they are just a step what will bring you closer to the success. You have to keep going and continue follow your dreams. And this will lead you to a successful life in your future.

Hard working is another important characteristic that a successful person should have. People who only wishing but never working hard for what they want will never fulfil their dream. For example, as a student, you want to get good grade you will need to put in effort and study hard. If you just sitting and wishing without trying anything, then you would never earn any good grade. In order for a person to be success, they need to fight and keep working hard for it. It might takes you some times, but do not give up easily because you already on your road to success. Every time you keep working hard and trying, you are getting one step closer to your dream. And soon you will be realize that your hard work pays off you.

Characteristic of a person really plays an important role in success. Believe in yourself and working hard are the two of the most important things in a successful person’s character. Some people just give up easily when they faced with failure, some people give up because lost faith in themselves, and some people might just give up because they are lazy. In order to be success, you should not be scare to fail. Failure is a step toward success, and people who avoid failure will also avoid success. Therefore no matter how many you had fail, you should keep going and believe in your ability to do it. And also never forget to work hard for your goal because your hard work will lead you to your bright future.

CAS Plan

My CAS Plan: https://docs.google.com/a/wells-school.com/spreadsheets/d/1TdKdbA2rqSfmykjTNYFE8kXDZSJj7PLwfr8skZWnJRk/edit#gid=0

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Piano (C) Basketball Training (A)	Art (C)		Art (C)	Basketball Training(A)

Systems & Models

3 parts: environment, systems, and societies. Each part can be considered separately or holistically (together)

A system is an assemblage of parts and the relationship between them set up an entity or whole. Each of the components are connected through the transfer of energy and matter, which link together and affecting each other.

The systems approach, central to the ESS course, emphasises similarities in the ways in which matter, energy and information link together in a variety of different disciplines. For example, ecology, economics, geography, and politics.

Systems consist of:
storages (of matter or energy)
flows (inputs into the system, outputs from the system)
processes (which transfer or transform energy or matter)
feedback mechanisms that maintain stability and equilibrium.

The systems concept on a range of scales
The system concept can be applied across a range of scales.
Example: ecosystem. An ecosystem may be of any size up to global. Such ecosystems can be viewed on the local scale or more widely. On the global scale, ecosystems due to similar climatic conditions in different parts of the world are called ‘biomes’.
At the largest scale, the entered planet could be seen as an ecosystem.
The Gaia hypothesis found by scientist James Lovelock, proposes that our plant functions as a single living organism.

Open, closed and isolated systems
Open systems: both matter and energy are exchanged across the boundaries of the system.
Closed systems: energy but no matter is exchanged across the boundaries of the system.
Isolated systems: no energy and matter exchanged across the boundary of the system.

Laws of thermodynamics and environmental systems
The behaviour of energy in system is defined by the ‘laws of thermodynamics’.
The first law states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only change forms. This is called ‘law of conservation of energy’
The second law states that energy goes from concentrated form (e.g. sun) into a dispersed form (e.g. heat).

The nature of equilibria 
Equilibrium allows systems to return to an original state following disturbance.
Steady-state equilibrium: common property of most open systems in nature.  Despite constant inputs and outputs of energy and matter, the overall stability of the system remains.
Static equilibrium: there are no inputs or outputs of matter or energy and no change in system over time. No natural systems are in static equilibrium because all have inputs and outputs of energy and matter.
Stable equilibrium: a system returns to the original equilibrium after a disturbance.
Unstable equilibrium: system that do not return to the same equilibrium but form a new equilibrium.

Positive and negative feedback 
Positive feedback: occurs when a change in the state of a system leads to additional and increased change.
Example: Exponential population growth
Negative feedback: mechanisms work by reducing the effect of one of the system’s components.

Transfer and transformation processes
Transfer: when the movement doesn’t involved a change of form or state.
Transformation: when it does involve a change of form or state. Transformation either lead to an interaction within a system in the formation of new end product or involve a change of state.
Transfers are simpler so they use less energy and are more efficient than transformations.
Example: dead organic matter entering a lake is an example of a transfer process; decomposition of this material is a transformation process.

Evaluation of models 
Models may be in the form of practical examples such as an aquarium or terrarium, computer models, or diagrams.

The advantages of models:
Scientists can predict and simplify complex systems.
Inputs can be changed and outcomes examined without having to wait for real events.
Results can be shown to others scientists and to the public.

The disadvantages of models:
The mayn’t be accurate – accuracy is lost in the process of oversimplification.
They rely on people making them.
Different people may interpret them in different ways.
Vested interests may hijack them politically.
Any model is only as good as the data goes in and these may be suspect.
Different models may show different effects using the same data.

Type of Systems

Closed System (Mind, Vivian, James)

• An isolated system that has no interaction with the surrounding.
• System working inside, not outside. Surrounding doesn’t effect how the system inside work. 
• Examples1: A pot with its lid cover on top
  • All the system working inside the pot.
  • Energy can be receive from the surrounding; fires boil the soup.
• Example2: Watch 
  • Nothing come out from the watch.
  • Surrounding doesn’t effect how the system work inside.
• Example3: Balloon
• Example4: Camera
• Example5: Laptop
  • Charging the laptop.

Open System (Nat, Angel, Give)

Isolated System (Jinny, Kim, Tee)

• A system which none of the matter or energy interferes with. These system cannot be found naturally. 
• Example1: universe
  • Universe itself where the surrounding may change (temperature) but the boundaries of the systems cannot change (universe will not turn into something else)
• Example2: Water (not isolated)
  • Water can change to solid, liquid, or gas.
• open system – matter and energy exchange
• close system – energy exchange but matter cannot.
• isolated system – no energy and matter exchange.

Positive Feedback (Pete, Emily, Giselle, Book )

• What is positive feedback?
  • In a positive feedback system, the target set point and outputs are added together by the controller.
  • Its effect is to increase the system gain.
  • The input causing the how the output react.
• Example1:
  • As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rise, Temperature of Earth rises.
• Example2: 
  • The more you eat, the more you gain weight.
  • The more you study, the better grade.
  • The more you exercise, the more stronger.

The Crucible Act1

The story begin in Reverend Samuel Parris’s house, he is sitting and praying for his daughter, Betty, who is lying unconsciousness on her bed. Then Abigail Williams, a seventeen years old girl who is the niece of Reverend Parris enter the room telling that Susanna Walcott is here from Doctor Griggs. Susanna tells Mr.Parris that the Doctor Griggs cannot find anything medicine to cure Betty’s sickness, perhaps, it might because of some unnatural causes. But Parris doesn’t believe in this. After Susanna leave, Parris asked Abigail about what had happen in the forest because he saw Betty, Abigail, and his slave, Tituba dancing in the forest, and also an unknown female running naked through the forest at midnight. But Abigail told her uncle that they are just dancing, and Betty was frightened and fainted after she saw her dad leaped out of the bush so suddenly. And there was no people running naked in the forest. However, Mr.Parris feels like Abigail didn’t tell the story truthfully, he thinks it’s because they trafficked with spirit in the forest. He also asks Abigail about why she Goody Proctor, the wife of John Proctor fired her. Abigail told her uncle that Goody Proctor is a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman, who just want slaves. Then Mrs. Ann Putnum enter the room, she is around forty-five, a death-ridden woman, haunted by dreams. She comes with her husband Mr. Thomas Putnam to see Betty. They told Mr.Parris that Betty’s sickness must because of witchcraft. Their daughter, Ruth, is also sick too. It’s a strange sickness and they believe it’s because of devil.  Mrs.Putnam also tell the story of her babies. She had seven babies and all of them died in her arms the very night of their birth. She is going to send Ruth to Tituba because she knows how to speak to the sea, so that she could find out who killed her babies. Mr.Putnum tries to persuade Mr.Parris to announce the existence of witchcraft, but Mr.Parris is afraid of speaking this. He think this will give his enemies in the village the power to against him. Then Mercy Lewis, the Putnam’s servant, enters the room. She come to visit Betty, and also report that Ruth has a very powerful sneeze that might causing her into danger. When Mr.Parris, Mrs.andMr.Putnum leave the room, Abigail tells Mercy that she tell uncle they danced and Tituba conjured Ruth’s  dead sister, and no one will say anything else. Then John Proctor enter, and everyone else leave accept Abigail. He and Abigail were having affair, but right now he doesn’t really care about Abigail anymore. However, Abigail still begging him to stay with her. After that, there are hymn coming from outside, Betty whine and cover her ears. Everyone rushing into the room to see her. They are wonder how Betty can’t bear to hear the Lord’s name. And Rebecca Nurse said that it might because of childish pranks. Mr.Hale, who learn about witchcraft entered the room. Mr.Parris ask him to look at Betty. Hale get Betty to sit up and try to study her carefully. Then he ask Abigail what kind of dance did they do. She said it’s just common dance. But Mr.Parris said that he saw kettle and something moving inside. Abigail then said that Tituba force her to drink it, but then she refuse. But Tituba denie everything. When Mr.Hale asks her to wake Betty up, she said she have no power on the child. Mr.Parris was very angry and told her if she not help he will kill her. Tituba was scared and says she tells the devil that she doesn’t want to work of him. She believe that there are somebody else witching the child because devil has many people working for him. And she list out the name, Goody Good, Sarah Good, Goody Osburn, Bridget Bishop. Then Betty begin to speak out, and she said she saw George Jacobs and Goody owe with the devil. Mr. Hale and Mr.Parris are very happy that Betty is free from the devil.

System @Wells (complex system)

 

 

This is the system of “what to do if you find any insects in your food”. It’s a more complex than the previous one because this system effected many people not just yourself, but also including students, teachers, staffs, and chef.

1. Take a picture of the food

2. Report it to the chef. 

3. Show the picture to Mr. Ray, and he will tell the staffs to fix the problem

4. The kitchen will be cleaned, and the food will be throw away

5. All the ingredients will be purchased again, and make sure that it’s fresh

6. Chef will need to stock the food, and keep it clean. 

7. Students can enjoy their new meal

If there still insects inside the food, then repeat the steps again.

 

“Test” System

Test is coming up –> You didn’t study hard for the test –> You can’t do the test –> You fail the test –>  Your grade go down –> Your parents disappointed –> You feel regret –> You learn from the lesson –> You start study hard –> You get good grade –> You happy –> You tell your parents –> Your parents happy too 🙂