Earth System ScienceEarth System Science

Introduction to Systems ThinkingIntroduction to Systems Thinking

Earth System ScienceEarth System Science

• Systems ConceptSystems Concept– SystemSystem – – a group of interrelated and interacting a group of interrelated and interacting

objects and phenomena; any portion of the objects and phenomena; any portion of the universe that can be isolated from the rest of the universe that can be isolated from the rest of the universe for the purpose of observing changesuniverse for the purpose of observing changes

– Surroundings Surroundings – the region outside the – the region outside the boundaries of the systemboundaries of the system

Earth System ScienceEarth System Science

• Systems ConceptSystems Concept– SystemSystem

• ClassificationClassification– Nature of the boundaryNature of the boundary

» OpenOpen» ClosedClosed» IsolatedIsolated

Earth System ScienceEarth System Science

• Systems ConceptSystems Concept– SystemSystem

• ClassificationClassification– Energy and WorkEnergy and Work

» Dynamic Dynamic » StaticStatic

– Most Earth systems are open and dynamicMost Earth systems are open and dynamic

Earth System ScienceEarth System Science

Earth System ScienceEarth System Science

• Systems ConceptSystems Concept– The The systems conceptsystems concept allows us to construct allows us to construct

modelsmodels of systems that can then be used to of systems that can then be used to predict the consequences of a change (e.g. predict the consequences of a change (e.g. emission of greenhouse gases) on different parts emission of greenhouse gases) on different parts of the systemof the system

Earth System ScienceEarth System Science

• Systems ConceptSystems Concept– Earth System ScienceEarth System Science – – study of the study of the

interconnections among different Earth systems interconnections among different Earth systems and the changes that occur in them with time.and the changes that occur in them with time.

Earth System ScienceEarth System Science

Earth System ScienceEarth System Science

• Systems ConceptSystems Concept– Gaia HypothesisGaia Hypothesis

• James Lovelock – British biochemistJames Lovelock – British biochemist• Lynn Margulis – American biologistLynn Margulis – American biologist