Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Systems
Widespread adoption of a 'systems approach' developed out of
the 'process revolution'. In general, a system can be defi ned as a
set of objects together with their interrelationships. A systems
approach downplays the individual objects and places the
interrelationships between them at centre stage. Understanding
the interrelationships within a system naturally requires
consideration not only of structural connections but also how
they are functionally related: hence processes are central to
understanding any system. Another important aspect of a
systems approach is the blurring of boundaries - because
each system is connected to the next. Many different types of
Earth-surface systems can be recognized within the geo-ecosphere
and its component spheres, and they are all interconnected to
a greater or lesser degree in the landscape. A systems approach
is therefore applicable throughout physical geography at
a wide range of scales, from the explanation of particular
phenomena in the landscape to understanding the dynamics
of how the whole geo-ecosphere operates. Its adoption can also
be seen as heralding a return to a more integrated physical
geography.
One of the fi rst and most infl uential applications of
the systems approach in physical geography was the
adoption of the ecosystem concept by biogeographers. An
ecosystem includes a set of organisms together with their
interactions and environmental relationships. In coining
the term and developing the concept, ecologists focused
on energy fl ow and mineral cycling between green plants
(producers), animals (consumers), and micro-organisms
(decomposers). In the physical geographical context,
vegetation formations of the Earth, for example, are viewed as
parts of geo-ecosystems with different levels of energy inputs
that maintain different levels of productivity and are capable of
sustaining different types and numbers of animals, including
humans.
