z1.02 Pools & Fluxes

Environmental systems are tricky because they have many parts that interact in complex ways.

scientists simplify systems

• They group parts into “pools” (also called stocks or reservoirs).

• A pool is any place where a substance can sit or be stored.

• They show movement between pools as “fluxes” (flows).

• A flux is the movement of material from one pool to another.

• Models are simplified versions of real systems.

• They can be simple or complex.

• Models help scientists:

  • Study systems over large space or time scales,

  • Understand how many parts interact,

  • Test what might happen in different scenarios.