The document discusses systems and models in environmental studies. It explains that a systems approach views complex issues holistically by considering interactions, and that systems can operate at various scales. Systems are comprised of storages and flows that provide inputs and outputs of energy and matter. Flows can involve transfers or transformations. Models are simplified representations that can help predict how systems respond to change, though they involve some loss of accuracy.

1. IB Environmental Systems and Societies p. 1
Topic 1: Foundations of environmental systems and societies (16 hours)
1.2 Systems & Models
Significant Ideas:
➔ A systems approach can help in the study of complex environmental issues.
➔ The use of systems and models simplifies interactions but may provide a more holistic view without
reducing issues to single processes.
Knowledge & Understanding: Use these notes to familiarize yourself with ESS terminology and concepts.
1.2.1 A ​systems approach​ is a way of
visualizing a complex set of interactions
which may be ecological or societal.
1.2.2 These interactions produce the
emergent​ properties of the system.
1.2.3 The concept of a system can be
applied at a ​range of scales​.
1.2.4 A system is comprised of ​storages
and ​flows​.
Storages:
Flows:
Original Source​: International School of Prague
https://sites.google.com/site/environmentalsystemssocieties/home
Modified by Brad Kremer, May 2017

2. IB Environmental Systems and Societies p. 2
Topic 1: Foundations of environmental systems and societies (16 hours)
1.2.5 The flows provide ​inputs​ and
outputs​ of ​energy​ and ​matter​.
Inputs of energy:
Outputs of energy:
Inputs of matter:
Outputs of matter:
1.2.6 The ​flows​ are processes that may
be either ​transfers​ (a change in
location) or ​transformations​ (a change
in the chemical nature, a change in state
or a change in energy).
Transfers:
Transformations:
1.2.7 In ​system diagrams​, ​storages​ are
usually represented as rectangular
boxes and ​flows​ as arrows, with the
direction of each ​arrow​ indicating the
direction of each flow. The ​size​ of the
boxes and the arrows may be
representative of the size/magnitude of
the storage or flow.
Create a systems diagram here, showing the inputs, outputs,
storages, flows, transfers, and transformations within a single leaf
on a ​Cassia siamea​ tree.
Original Source​: International School of Prague
https://sites.google.com/site/environmentalsystemssocieties/home
Modified by Brad Kremer, May 2017

3. IB Environmental Systems and Societies p. 3
Topic 1: Foundations of environmental systems and societies (16 hours)
1.2.8 An ​open system​ exchanges both
energy and matter​ across its boundary
while a ​closed system​ exchanges only
energy​ across its boundary.
1.2.9 An ​isolated system​ is a
hypothetical concept in which neither
energy nor matter is exchanged across
the ​boundary​.
1.2.10 ​Ecosystems​ are open systems,
closed systems exist experimentally,
although the global geochemical cycles
approximate to closed systems.
1.2.11 A ​model​ is a ​simplified version​ of
reality and can be used to understand
how a system works and to ​predict​ how
it will respond to change.
1.2.12 A ​model​ inevitably involves some
approximation​ and therefore loss of
accuracy.
Original Source​: International School of Prague
https://sites.google.com/site/environmentalsystemssocieties/home
Modified by Brad Kremer, May 2017

4. IB Environmental Systems and Societies p. 4
Topic 1: Foundations of environmental systems and societies (16 hours)
Applications & Skills: Treat the following prompts as assessment questions on your IB ESS exam. Use the
terminology and concepts from the notes above to respond to each of these prompts
1.2.AS1 ​Construct ​a system diagram or a model from a given set of information.
1.2.AS2 ​Evaluate​ the use of models as a tool in a given situation. For example, climate change predictions.
Original Source​: International School of Prague
https://sites.google.com/site/environmentalsystemssocieties/home
Modified by Brad Kremer, May 2017