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All 30 Flashcards — Loops
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Question
What is a feedback loop?
Answer
A chain where a change causes effects that feed back to influence the original change.
💡 Hint
Result becomes cause.
Question
What is a causal loop diagram (CLD)?
Answer
A diagram showing cause-and-effect links between variables, forming feedback loops over time.
💡 Hint
Variables + arrows + loops.
Question
What is stable (steady-state) equilibrium?
Answer
A condition where inputs and outputs are balanced so the system stays roughly the same over time.
💡 Hint
Inputs = outputs.
Question
What is the tourism multiplier effect?
Answer
A positive feedback loop where tourism growth generates more income and investment, attracting even more tourism.
💡 Hint
Reinforcing loop.
Question
What is a transfer in systems?
Answer
Movement of matter or energy without changing its form.
💡 Hint
Same form, new place.
Question
How can inequality form a positive feedback loop?
Answer
Wealth enables investment and influence, producing more wealth, widening the gap unless interrupted.
💡 Hint
Wealth → more wealth.
Question
What is the key exam step when explaining a feedback loop?
Answer
Start change → chain of effects → show the loop closes → state if reinforcing or balancing.
💡 Hint
4-step method.
Question
Name one benefit of the tourism multiplier.
Answer
Creates jobs and income, and can fund infrastructure or conservation.
💡 Hint
Benefit = money/jobs.
Question
What is a transformation in systems?
Answer
A change in form, state, or chemical nature of matter or energy.
💡 Hint
Form changes.
Question
What is negative feedback?
Answer
Negative feedback reduces change and helps stabilise a system.
💡 Hint
Negative = stabilising.
Question
In a CLD, what does a + sign mean?
Answer
A positive relationship: the variables change in the same direction.
💡 Hint
Same direction.
Question
Give one stable equilibrium example.
Answer
A mature forest: growth and death balance so overall biomass stays similar.
💡 Hint
Balanced flows.
Question
Name one environmental risk of uncontrolled tourism growth.
Answer
Higher water/energy demand, more waste/pollution, and habitat loss from development.
💡 Hint
More tourists → more pressure.
Question
Negative feedback does what to systems?
Answer
It stabilises systems by reducing change and helping maintain equilibrium.
💡 Hint
Stabilises.
Question
Give one negative feedback example.
Answer
Body temperature control: too hot → sweating → cooling → back to normal.
💡 Hint
Any stabilising loop.
Question
What is a feedback delay?
Answer
A time gap between a change and when its effects are seen in the system.
💡 Hint
Cause-effect not immediate.
Question
Define positive vs negative feedback (one sentence each).
Answer
Positive feedback amplifies change; negative feedback counteracts change and stabilises the system.
💡 Hint
Amplify vs stabilise.
Question
In a CLD, what does a − sign mean?
Answer
A negative relationship: the variables change in opposite directions.
💡 Hint
Opposite direction.
Question
What is positive feedback?
Answer
Positive feedback amplifies the original change and pushes the system further from balance.
💡 Hint
Positive = amplifying.
Question
Give one reinforcing (positive) feedback example in nature.
Answer
Eutrophication: more nutrients → more algae → plant death/decomposition → more available nutrients.
💡 Hint
Reinforcing loop.
Question
What does “reinforcing” vs “balancing” mean in CLDs?
Answer
Reinforcing loops amplify change; balancing loops resist change and stabilise the system.
💡 Hint
R amplifies; B stabilises.
Question
Why can feedback delays cause oscillations?
Answer
People or processes overcorrect because the system responds slowly, leading to repeated over- and under-shooting.
💡 Hint
Delay → overcorrect.
Question
Why is the tourism multiplier a positive feedback loop?
Answer
Because the output (tourism income/infrastructure) feeds back to increase the input (tourist attraction).
💡 Hint
Output amplifies input.
Question
Positive feedback does what to systems?
Answer
It amplifies change and can push systems towards tipping points.
💡 Hint
Amplifies.
Question
How could you add negative feedback to manage tourism sustainably?
Answer
Use limits such as visitor caps, zoning, pricing/taxes, and protected areas to reduce growth pressure.
💡 Hint
Controls = negative feedback.
Question
Give one balancing (negative) feedback example in nature.
Answer
Predator–prey: prey increases → predators increase → prey decreases → predators decrease.
💡 Hint
Balancing loop.
Question
Give one positive feedback example.
Answer
Ice-albedo: ice melts → darker surface → more heat absorbed → more melting.
💡 Hint
Amplifies change.
Question
Why are tipping points important in ESS?
Answer
Crossing a tipping point can shift a system into a new equilibrium that may be difficult to reverse.
💡 Hint
Threshold → new state.
Question
How do you score well on CLD questions?
Answer
Name variables, follow arrows, explain +/− links, and state whether the loop is reinforcing or balancing.
💡 Hint
4-step CLD method.
Question
What is a tipping point?
Answer
A threshold where a small change triggers a large, often hard-to-reverse shift to a new equilibrium.
💡 Hint
Threshold → big shift.
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Topic 1.3 hub
Equilibrium, stability and resilience
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