SOCIAL SYSTEM                ECOSYSTEM

In my diagram, I wanted to focus on the coupled human-environment interactions in more detail. For example, I thought it was important to discuss the effects of picking up wood on education and deforestation. By looking at the systems in more detail, I noticed some positive and negative feedback loops. In terms of the economy, biogas generators produce fertilizer which the women in the town can sell. Due to the increase in money, more families can buy more generators, leading to even, more money (positive feedback loop). On the other hand, biogas generators push families away from picking up branches, leading to a decrease in deforestation (negative feedback loop). As I compared my diagram to Marten’s in the reading, I noticed we had some things in common. We both discussed farms, forests, fertilizer and cooking oil. However, in my diagram, I focused on the problems associated with health, education, and the economy. Additionally, we differed as I did not have branches discussing the human population and how generators could affect the number of children families had. There are similarities between our diagrams because we both mentioned crucial points about the purpose and significance of biogas generators. However, there are differences because I spent more time breaking down the relationships in great detail while Marten made the important broad connections. By comparing the two diagrams, viewers might not have thought about how biogas generators can increase wealth (economy) for women and farmers in the town.