Significant ideas:

1)The laws of thermodynamics govern the flow of energy

1)

in a system and the ability to do work

2) Systems can exist in alternative stable states or as
2)

equilibria between which there are tipping points,

3) Destabilizing position feedback mechanisms will drive
3)

systems toward these tipping points, whereas stabilizing

negative feedback mechanisms will resist such changes
Big questions:
What strengths and weaknesses of the systems approach
•

and the use of models have been revealed through this

topic
How are the issues addressed in this topic of relevance to
•

sustainability or sustainable development?

The principle of conservation of energy can be modeled by
•

the energy transformations along food chains and energy

production systems: what are the strengths and limitations
for such models?
Big questions:
How do the delays involved in feedback loops make it
•

difficult to predict tipping points and add to the complexity

of modeling systems?
Do the benefits of the models used to predict tipping
•

points outweigh their limitations?

How does sustainability reduce the change that tipping
•

points will be reached?

Understandings
Statement Guidance
1.3..U1 The first law of thermodynamics is the principle The use of examples in this sub-topic is particularly
of conservation of energy, which states that important so that the abstract concepts have a
energy in an isolated system can be transformed context in which to be understood
but cannot be created or destroyed
1.3.U2 The principle of conservation of energy can be
modelled by the energy transformations along
food chains and energy production systems.
1.3.U3 The second law of thermodynamics states that
the entropy of a system increases over time.
Entropy is a measure of the amount of disorder
in a system. An increase in entropy arising from
energy transformations reduces the energy
available to do work.
1.3.U4 The second law of thermodynamics explains the
inefficiency and decrease in available energy
along a food chain and energy generation
systems.
Understandings
Statement Guidance
1.3.U5 As an open system, an ecosystem will normally 1. A stable equilibrium is the condition of a system in
exist in a stable equilibrium, either in a steady- which there is a tendency for it to return to the
state equilibrium or in one developing over time previous equilibrium following disturbance
(for example, succession), and maintained by 2. A steady-state equilibrium is the condition of an
stabilizing negative feedback loops. open system in which there are not changes over the
longer term, but in which there may be oscillations in
the very short term

1.3.U6 Negative feedback loops (stabilizing) occur when

the output of a process inhibits or reverses the
operation of the same process in such a way as
to reduce change—it counteracts deviation.

1.3..U7 Positive feedback loops (destabilizing) will tend

to amplify changes and drive the system towards
a tipping point where a new equilibrium is
adopted.
1.3.U8 The resilience of a system, ecological or social, Emphasis should be placed on the relationships
refers to its tendency to avoid such tipping points between resilience, stability, equilibria and diversity
and maintain stability
Understandings
Statement Guidance
1.3.U9 Diversity and the size of storages within systems Examples of human impacts and possible tipping
can contribute to their resilience and affect their points should be explored
speed of response to change (time lags).
1.3.U10 Humans can affect the resilience of systems A tipping point is the minimum amount of change
through reducing these storages and diversity within a system that will destabilize it, causing it to
reach a new equilibrium or stable state
1.3.U11 The delays involved in feedback loops make it A tipping point is the minimum amount of change
difficult to predict tipping points and add to the within a system that will destabilize it, causing it to
complexity of modelling systems. reach a new equilibrium or stable state
Applications and Skills
Statement Guidance
1.3.A1 Explain the implications of the laws of
thermodynamics to ecological systems.

1.3.A2 Discuss the resilience in a variety of systems

1.3.A3 Evaluate the possible consequences of tipping

points
1.3.U1 The first law of thermodynamics is the principle of
conservation of energy, which states that energy in an isolated
system can be transformed but cannot be created or destroyed
Ecosystems maintain Ecosystems involve
themselves by cycling
energy and nutrients interrelationships among
obtained from external climate, geology, soil,
sources vegetation and animals

An example of the
concept of energy flow
through trophic levels
of a food chain
1.3.U1 The first law of thermodynamics is the principle of
conservation of energy, which states that energy in an isolated
system can be transformed but cannot be created or destroyed

Click on the image and

watch the video
1.3.U1 The first law of thermodynamics is the principle of conservation of
energy, which states that energy in an isolated system can be transformed
but cannot be created or destroyed

The laws of energy in an ecosystem

• 1st Law of Thermodynamics
• 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
1.3.U1 The first law of thermodynamics is the principle of conservation of
energy, which states that energy in an isolated system can be transformed
but cannot be created or destroyed

• 1st Law = Energy is

neither created or
destroyed.
• Total energy is constant
• Energy can be
transformed (change
state)

In nature energy comes in as

sunlight, passes along as
biomass, and exits as heat bit
by bit.
1.3.U1 The first law of thermodynamics is the principle of conservation of
energy, which states that energy in an isolated system can be transformed
but cannot be created or destroyed

• The amount of energy within a system is

constant. The form of the energy however
changes.
1.3.A1 Explain the implications of the laws of thermodynamics to
ecological systems

Implications of the First Law

1.In an open system such as an ecosystem, once energy has
entered it will never increase. Energy has to keep entering to
keep the ecosystem functioning.
2.In a food chain, energy transforms from light to chemical to
heat energy. This increases entropy (second law) so there is less
available to do work, therefore at higher trophic levels there are
fewer animals.
1.3.A1 Explain the implications of the laws of thermodynamics to
ecological systems

Implications of the First Law

3.Animals at higher trophic levels must eat a large number of
smaller animals, so if there are non-biodegradeable toxins in the
chain they will become progressively more concentrated the
higher up the food chain you go. (Bioaccumulations)
4.We can never create energy for our use. We have to take what
is available and transform it into a form that is most useful to us.
5.No new energy is being created in the universe.
1.3.U2 The principle of conservation of energy can be modelled by the
energy transformations along food chains and energy production systems

Food Chains
• Chemical energy passes along the food chain (in the direction
of the arrow)
• As consumers eat producers or other consumers, some
chemical energy is converted into mechanical energy during
respiration so that it can be used to fuel life processes.
1.3.U2 The principle of conservation of energy can be modelled by the
energy transformations along food chains and energy production systems

Energy Production
• Coal is burnt to alter the chemical bonds and
release heat
• The heat turns water from a liquid to a gas
(steam),
• The steam spins a turbine (kinetic energy)
• Drives an electrical generator to produce
electricity (electrical energy)
1.3.U3 The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy
of a system increases over time. Entropy is a measure of the
amount of disorder in a system. An increase in entropy arising form
energy transformations reduces the energy available to do work

• Entropy always increases

(less energy for work)
• Less energy at each level –
ecological pyramids
• Transformations are not
efficient
• Living systems require
constant input of new
energy from the Sun

Click on the image for a video on Entropy

1.3.U3 The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy
of a system increases over time. Entropy is a measure of the
amount of disorder in a system. An increase in entropy arising form
energy transformations reduces the energy available to do work

Available energy decreases with time as order takes

energy.

• Energy transfer is not

100% effective.
• There is less and less
available energy in each
successive level.
• 10% available
1.3.U4 The second law of thermodynamics explains the
inefficiency and decrease in available energy along a food chain
and energy generation

Feces, respiration and heat are all ways in which

energy is used and not available
1.3.U4 The second law of thermodynamics explains the
inefficiency and decrease in available energy along a food chain
and energy generation

• When a loin chases a

zebra, the zebra attempts
to escape, changing stored
chemical energy into
useful work
• During its attempt to
escape some of the stored
energy is converted to
heat and lost from the
food chain.

Energy = work + heat (and other wasted energy)

1.3.U4 The second law of thermodynamics explains the
inefficiency and decrease in available energy along a food chain
and energy generation

Efficiency is the comparison of the amount of work or

energy done to the amount of energy that it
consumed
Efficiency = useful outputs/Inputs x 100

It is more efficient to eat a plant because there is less

energy loss
1.3.A1 Explain the implications of the laws of thermodynamics to
ecological systems

Implications of the 2nd Law

1. Entropy will always increase, so in order to keep a body
together organisms must continually put in energy, such as
food and sunlight.
2. Increase in entropy is reduced by an input of food as a
source of energy. All living organisms respire, even at rest
and energy stops them disintegrating into a puddle of
inorganic chemicals.
1.3.U5 As an open system, an ecosystem will normally exist in a stable
equilibrium, either in a steady-state of equilibrium or in one developing
over time (for example, successions), and maintained by stabilizing
negative feedback loops

• Equilibrium refers to a state of balance in an

ecosystem
– Steady state
– Static
1.3.U5 As an open system, an ecosystem will normally exist in a stable
equilibrium, either in a steady-state of equilibrium or in one developing
over time (for example, successions), and maintained by stabilizing
negative feedback loops

• Steady-state equilibrium
– Maintains a stable system due to constant flow of
inputs and outputs
– Ecological system requires inputs and outputs in
order to function. .
1.3.U5 As an open system, an ecosystem will normally exist in a stable
equilibrium, either in a steady-state of equilibrium or in one developing
over time (for example, successions), and maintained by stabilizing
negative feedback loops

• Static equilibrium
– Doesn‘t’apply to natural systems as there are no
inputs or outputs so no change occurs.
– Always in balance
– Inanimate objects
1.3.U5 As an open system, an ecosystem will normally exist in a stable
equilibrium, either in a steady-state of equilibrium or in one developing
over time (for example, successions), and maintained by stabilizing
negative feedback loops

• Stable – Returns to balance after disturbance

– Rubber
• Unstable – Achieves new balance after
disturbance
– Car Crash
1.3.U5 As an open system, an ecosystem will normally exist in a stable
equilibrium, either in a steady-state of equilibrium or in one developing
over time (for example, successions), and maintained by stabilizing
negative feedback loops

A system that is an unstable equilibrium and faces a

disturbance will not return to the original
equilibrium and establish a new one.

As long as there is sunlight, plants can

perform the process of photosynthesis,
however when night time comes, plants
must adopt a new equilibrium to produce
food, this equilibrium is known as
respiration.
1.3.U6 Negative feedback loops (stabilizing) occur when the output
of a process inhibits or reverses the operation of the same process in
such a way as to reduce change—it counteracts deviation.

• Ecosystems are said to be “Self-regulating”

• Each contain feedback mechanisms which
function to maintain the system in its
equilibrium state.
– Positive
– Negative

Click on the image and watch the video

1.3.U6 Negative feedback loops (stabilizing) occur when the output
of a process inhibits or reverses the operation of the same process in
such a way as to reduce change—it counteracts deviation.

• Negative Feedback – dampens effects and promotes

return to stability
– Predator-prey relationships
– Human body temperatures

http://www.simulace.info/index.php/System_Dynamics
changes and drive the system towards a tipping point where a
new equilibrium is adopted.

• Positive Feedback
– Amplifies change and leads to deviation from stability
– Diverges from the equilibrium
– Change in X causes a change in Y which causes a bigger change
in X
Principals of Positive and Negative Feedback
1.3.U8 The resilience of a system, ecological or social, refers to its
tendency to avoid such tipping points and maintain stability

• The capacity of an
ecosystem to respond
to a disturbance.
• Negative feedback
• More complex, more
feedback looks more
resilient
• Absorb disturbance
without shifting to an
alternative state and
losing function and
services. conditions
1.3.U8 The resilience of a system, ecological or social, refers to its
tendency to avoid such tipping points and maintain stability

• Disturbances can include

– Fires
– Flooding
– Windstorms
– Insect population
explosions
– Deforestation
– Fracking
– Pesticide
1.3.U9 Diversity and the size of storages within systems can contribute to
their resilience and affect their speed of response to change (time lags).

Some disturbances can significantly affect an

ecosystem and can cause an ecosystem to reach
a threshold beyond which some species can not
recover.
1.3.U9 Diversity and the size of storages within systems can contribute to
their resilience and affect their speed of response to change (time lags).

• Discuss the relative size of storages in these

two system diagrams
• Describe how named storage contributes to
resilience of the systems shown
1.3.U10 Humans can affect the resilience of systems through
reducing these storages and diversity

• Positive Feedback tends to

amplify and drive a system
toward a tipping point
• Minimum amount of change
within a system that will
destabilize it, causing it to
reach a new equilibrium or
stable state.
1.3.U10 Humans can affect the resilience of systems through
reducing these storages and diversity

• At a particular
moment in time,
a small change
within a global
climate system
can transform a
relatively stable
system to a very
different state of
the climate
1.3.U10 Humans can affect the resilience of systems through
reducing these storages and diversity

• Identifying what phenomena are capable of

passing tipping points can be tricky.
• “Tipping elements” is used to describe large-
scale components of the Earth System which
may be subject to tipping points.
– Arctic Sea Ice
– Ice Sheets
– El Nino
– Amazon Rain Forest
1.3.U10 Humans can affect the resilience of systems through
reducing these storages and diversity
1.3.U10 Humans can affect the resilience of systems through
reducing these storages and diversity
1.3.U10 Humans can affect the resilience of systems through
reducing these storages and diversity

• Other than eating maple syrup

outline how humans may have
a negative impact on the
resilience of the forest system
shown

• Outline ways people may have

a positive impact on the
diversity of the forest
ecosystem
1.3.U11 The delays involved in feedback loops make it difficult to
predict tipping points and add to the complexity of modelling
system

• With reference to one

of the 6 positive
climate feedback
loops shown, identify
two delays in the
feedback loop

• Describe the
permanent change
from equilibrium
resulting from a
tipping point being
passed in one of the
feedback loops
1.3.U11 The delays involved in feedback loops make it difficult to
predict tipping points and add to the complexity of modelling system
1.3.A2 Discuss the resilience in a variety of systems
1.3.A3 Evaluate the possible consequences of tipping points