My AP Environmental Homework for the Cats Over Borneo Assignment
My AP Environmental Homework for the Cats Over Borneo Assignment
 Fig 3.1 from Jorgen Randers  book  2052 a Global Forecast for the Next Forty Years

Fig 3.1 from Jorgen Randers book 2052 a Global Forecast for the Next Forty Years

10 last month
Clone of Pesticide Use in Central America for Lab work        This model is an attempt to simulate what is commonly referred to as the “pesticide treadmill” in agriculture and how it played out in the cotton industry in Central America after the Second World War until around the 1990s.     The cotto
Clone of Pesticide Use in Central America for Lab work


This model is an attempt to simulate what is commonly referred to as the “pesticide treadmill” in agriculture and how it played out in the cotton industry in Central America after the Second World War until around the 1990s.

The cotton industry expanded dramatically in Central America after WW2, increasing from 20,000 hectares to 463,000 in the late 1970s. This expansion was accompanied by a huge increase in industrial pesticide application which would eventually become the downfall of the industry.

The primary pest for cotton production, bol weevil, became increasingly resistant to chemical pesticides as they were applied each year. The application of pesticides also caused new pests to appear, such as leafworms, cotton aphids and whitefly, which in turn further fuelled increased application of pesticides. 

The treadmill resulted in massive increases in pesticide applications: in the early years they were only applied a few times per season, but this application rose to up to 40 applications per season by the 1970s; accounting for over 50% of the costs of production in some regions. 

The skyrocketing costs associated with increasing pesticide use were one of the key factors that led to the dramatic decline of the cotton industry in Central America: decreasing from its peak in the 1970s to less than 100,000 hectares in the 1990s. “In its wake, economic ruin and environmental devastation were left” as once thriving towns became ghost towns, and once fertile soils were wasted, eroded and abandoned (Lappe, 1998). 

Sources: Douglas L. Murray (1994), Cultivating Crisis: The Human Cost of Pesticides in Latin America, pp35-41; Francis Moore Lappe et al (1998), World Hunger: 12 Myths, 2nd Edition, pp54-55.

54 9 months ago
World4 is a predictive model for world population. Population has grown hyper-exponentially in the last millenium, with the doubling time decreasing from 900 years  in 1000 CE to a minimum of ~35 years in 1963 CE. Technology is defined as that which decreases the death rate and/or increases the effe
World4 is a predictive model for world population. Population has grown hyper-exponentially in the last millenium, with the doubling time decreasing from 900 years  in 1000 CE to a minimum of ~35 years in 1963 CE. Technology is defined as that which decreases the death rate and/or increases the effective birth rate (i.e. by decreasing infant mortality). Technology grows exponentially, therefore population fits a hyper-exponential (exponent within an exponent). Models for the end of growth are explored using equations that express the ways humans are depleting Earth's biocapacity, the nature of resource depletion, and the relationship between natural resources and human carrying capacity. This simple model, containing just two closed systems, captures the subtle shifts in the population trajectory of the last 50 years. Specifically, hyperexponential growth has given way to subexponential growth. A peak is predicted for the time around 2028.  [Bystroff, C. (2021). Footprints to singularity: A global population model explains late 20th century slow-down and predicts peak within ten years. PloS one, 16(5), e0247214.]
This model describes the flow of energy from generation to consumption for neighborhoods in the metro Atlanta area. It also calculates the cost of energy production and the number of years it will take to recover that cost.
This model describes the flow of energy from generation to consumption for neighborhoods in the metro Atlanta area. It also calculates the cost of energy production and the number of years it will take to recover that cost.
This model is a classic simulation of the production cycle in the ocean, including the effects of the thermocline in switching off advection of dissolved nutrients and detritus to the surface layer.  It illustrates a number of interesting features including the coupling of three state variables in a
This model is a classic simulation of the production cycle in the ocean, including the effects of the thermocline in switching off advection of dissolved nutrients and detritus to the surface layer.

It illustrates a number of interesting features including the coupling of three state variables in a closed cycle, the use of time to control the duration of advection, and the modulus function for cycling annual temperature data over multiple years.

The model state variables are expressed in nitrogen units (mg N m-3), and the calibration is based on:

Baliño, B.M. 1996. Eutrophication of the North Sea, 1980-1990: An evaluation of anthropogenic nutrient inputs using a 2D phytoplankton production model. Dr. scient. thesis, University of Bergen.
 
Fransz, H.G. & Verhagen, J.H.G. 1985. Modelling Research on the Production Cycle of Phytoplankton in the Southern Bight of the Northn Sea in Relation to Riverborne Nutrient Loads. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 19 (3/4): 241-250.

This model was first implemented in PowerSim some years ago by one of my M.Sc. students, who then went on to become a Buddhist monk. Although this is a very Zen model, as far as I'm aware, the two facts are unrelated.
  This is a simple mass balance model simulating the lake's nutrient dynamics in Lake Tai over time and it's removal of phosphorous saturation.     Simple mass balance model for lakes, based on the Vollenweider equation:  dMw/dt = Min - sMw - Mout
This is a simple mass balance model simulating the lake's nutrient dynamics in Lake Tai over time and it's removal of phosphorous saturation.

Simple mass balance model for lakes, based on the Vollenweider equation:

dMw/dt = Min - sMw - Mout
Simple model to illustrate oyster growth based on primary production of Phytoplankton as a state variable, forced by light and nutrients, running for a yearly period.  Phytoplankton growth based on on Steele's and Michaelis-Menten equations), where:   Primary Production=(([Pmax]*[I]/[Iopt]*exp(1-[I]
Simple model to illustrate oyster growth based on primary production of Phytoplankton as a state variable, forced by light and nutrients, running for a yearly period.

Phytoplankton growth based on on Steele's and Michaelis-Menten equations), where: 

Primary Production=(([Pmax]*[I]/[Iopt]*exp(1-[I]/[Iopt])*[S])/([Ks]+[S]))

Pmax: Maximum production (d-1)
I: Light energy at depth of interest (uE m-2 s-1)
Iopt: Light energy at which Pmax occurs (uE m-2 s-1)
S: Nutrient concentration (umol N L-1)
Ks: Half saturation constant for nutrient (umol N L-1).

Further developments:
- Nutrients as state variable in cycle with detritus from phytoplankton and oyster biomass.
- Light limited by the concentration of phytoplankton.
- Temperature effect on phytoplankton and Oyster growth.


 Forcings and feedbacks based on Tom Fiddaman, James Hansen and other feedback and cycle diagrams

Forcings and feedbacks based on Tom Fiddaman, James Hansen and other feedback and cycle diagrams

 Clone of IM-1954 to tidy up layout. The World3 model is a detailed simulation of human population growth from 1900 into the future. It includes many environmental and demographic factors. 
   
 Use the sliders to experiment with the initial amount of non-renewable resources to see how these affec

Clone of IM-1954 to tidy up layout. The World3 model is a detailed simulation of human population growth from 1900 into the future. It includes many environmental and demographic factors.

 

Use the sliders to experiment with the initial amount of non-renewable resources to see how these affect the simulation. Does increasing the amount of non-renewable resources (which could occur through the development of better exploration technologies) improve our future? Also, experiment with the start date of a low birth-rate, environmentally focused policy.

This diagram provides an accessible description of the key processes that guide the water quality within a lake.
This diagram provides an accessible description of the key processes that guide the water quality within a lake.
The Streeter-Phelps oxygen dynamics model was originally developed in 1925, almost a century ago.  Play  You can explore the model by hitting the simulate button, and you can use the three sliders below to (i) switch the spill on or off (1 or 0); (ii) define the day when the spill occurs (0 to 15);
The Streeter-Phelps oxygen dynamics model was originally developed in 1925, almost a century ago.

Play

You can explore the model by hitting the simulate button, and you can use the three sliders below to (i) switch the spill on or off (1 or 0); (ii) define the day when the spill occurs (0 to 15); and (iii) make the model use a constant water temperature (20oC) or a (pre-defined) variable one.

A variable temperature affects oxygen saturation, and therefore also the oxygen deficit and oxygen concentration.

Every model element shows an = sign when you hover over it, and if you click the sign you can view the underlying equation.

If you want to edit the model, you need to create an account in InsightMaker and then clone the model and adapt it to your needs.

Study

Below is a detailed explanation of the model concept.

The model calculates the oxygen deficit (D), defined as Cs-C, where Cs is the saturation concentration of dissolved oxygen (based on temperature, and salinity if applicable), and C is the dissolved oxygen concentration.

Since D = Cs-C, it follows that:
dD/dt = -dC/dt

The rate of change of oxygen concentration with time (dC/dt) depends on two factors, organic decomposition and aeration.

dC/dt = Ka.D - Kd.L

The first term on the right side of the equation is aeration (which adds oxygen to the water), calculated by means of the temperature-dependent aeration parameter Ka.

Ka is also a function of Kr, which depends on wind speed (U) and water depth (z).

The sink term represents oxygen consumption through mineralization (bacterial decomposition) of organic matter.

The organic load L decays in time (or in space, e.g. along a river) according to a first order equation, i.e. dL/dt = -Kd.L

This equation can be integrated to yield L = Lo.exp(Kd.t), where Kd is the decay constant.
Simple model to illustrate Michaelis-Menten equation for nutrient uptake by phytoplankton.  The equation is:  P = Ppot S / (Ks + S)  Where:  P: Nutrient-limited production (e.g. d-1, or mg C m-2 d-1) Ppot: Potential production (same units as P) S: Nutrient concentation (e.g. umol N L-1) Ks: Half sat
Simple model to illustrate Michaelis-Menten equation for nutrient uptake by phytoplankton.

The equation is:

P = Ppot S / (Ks + S)

Where:

P: Nutrient-limited production (e.g. d-1, or mg C m-2 d-1)
Ppot: Potential production (same units as P)
S: Nutrient concentation (e.g. umol N L-1)
Ks: Half saturation constant for nutrient (same units as S)

The model contains no state variables, just illustrates the rate of production, by making the value of S equal to the timestep (in days). Move the slider to the left for more pronounced hyperbolic response, to the right for linear response.
This model adresses the primary production for phytoplankton growth, based on Steele’s light intensity equation and Michaelis-Menten equation for nutrient limitation.
This model adresses the primary production for phytoplankton growth, based on Steele’s light intensity equation and Michaelis-Menten equation for nutrient limitation.


Our computer model details the change in allele frequency of resistant mosquitoes in Africa when the government began spraying DDT. The few mosquitoes that naturally survived the chemical sprays reproduced, and created a large population of resistant mosquitoes. When DDT was sprayed later to prevent
Our computer model details the change in allele frequency of resistant mosquitoes in Africa when the government began spraying DDT. The few mosquitoes that naturally survived the chemical sprays reproduced, and created a large population of resistant mosquitoes. When DDT was sprayed later to prevent the spread of malaria, the DDT was not as effective because of the large amount of DDT-resistant phenotypes in the population.
This model describes the flow of energy from generation to consumption for neighborhoods in the metro Atlanta area. It also calculates the cost of energy production and the number of years it will take to recover that cost.
This model describes the flow of energy from generation to consumption for neighborhoods in the metro Atlanta area. It also calculates the cost of energy production and the number of years it will take to recover that cost.
Primitives for Watershed modeling project. Click Clone Insight at the top right to make a copy that you can edit.  The converter in this file contains precipitation for Tucson only. Tucson watersheds are Arroyo Chico, Canada Agua, and Lower Canada del Oro.
Primitives for Watershed modeling project. Click Clone Insight at the top right to make a copy that you can edit.

The converter in this file contains precipitation for Tucson only. Tucson watersheds are Arroyo Chico, Canada Agua, and Lower Canada del Oro.
This is a simulation that represents the populations of lions in the world over the last 200 years.
This is a simulation that represents the populations of lions in the world over the last 200 years.