Both natural and human systems are influenced by feedback mechanisms. Generally, we wish to preserve the environment in its original state, so negative feedback is usually helpful and positive feedback is usually undesirable. However, there are other situations where change is needed and positive feedback is advantageous.
Example: If students enjoy their Environmental Science lessons, they want to learn more, so attend classes regularly and complete assignments. Consequently, they move to a new equilibrium of being better educated about the environment.
There are a number of examples of how both positive and negative feedback mechanisms might operate in the physical environment. No one can be sure which of these effects is likely to be most influential, and consequently,we cannot know whether or not the Earth will manage to regulate its temperature, despite human interference with many natural processes.
1. Label each example as either positive or negative feedback and provide an explanation for your choice.
2. Draw diagrams of one example of positive feedback and one example of negative feedback using the examples given, to show how feedback affects a system. Include arrows to represent the feedback loops.