model and systems

assemblage of interrelated that work together by way of some driving process

kinds of parts that make up a system. parts may be atoms or molecules, or larger bodies of matter like sand grains, rain drops, plants, animals

characteristics of the elements that may be perceived and measured

3 kinds of properties

examples of attributes

associations that occur between element and attributes based on cause and effects

types of systems

system that has no interactions beyond its boundary layer

system that transfer energy, not matter, across its boundary to the surrounding environment. our planet is often viewed as this kind of system

system that transfers both matter and energy can cross its boundary to the surrounding environment.

system where we understand the relationship between elements and attributes in a vague sense based only on measured features and correlations

system where we are primarily interested in the flow of energy and/or matter from one element to another and understand the processes that cause this movement

system that integrates the characteristics of both morphological and cascading systems

system that can be intelligently manipulated by the actions of humans

system that models relationships and interactions between the various biotic and abiotic components making up a community of organisms and their surrounding physical environment,

effect that change in one part of an ecosystem has on another and how this effect then feeds back to effect the source of the change inducing more or less of it

circular chain of effects that opposes change. it keeps things the same.