Module 2 – Kevin Hosterman

The core idea behind my diagram is to show how the implementation of biogas generators would lead to effects on both the social system and the ecosystem. My diagram shows how a feedback loop is created with the biogas generator by producing methane gas and ending the whole back at the social system and ecosystem. It also shows the idea of a coupled human-environment system because most of the end products in the loop improve both the social system and ecosystem because they are so closely intertwined. My diagram is fairly similar to the Marten diagram because it has a lot of the same variables. However it is different because of the way it is organized. My diagram is more focused on the feedback loop that is created with biogas generators while the Marten diagram is more focused on how the social system and ecosystem interact with each other. There are similarities and differences because there are so many different ways that the systems affect each other that you can organize it in many different ways. It’s not a bad thing that they are different because you can learn more from multiple diagrams. Something I learned from comparing them is that it would be easier to organize the diagram between the social system and ecosystem rather than trying to do it all in one big one.

Kevin Hosterman Diagram

One thought on “Module 2 – Kevin Hosterman

  1. Hi Kevin,
    My name is Cassie and here is the link to my blog post: http://sites.psu.edu/geog30/2016/01/27/cassie-hess-biogas-system-diagram/. I found your systems diagram to be very interesting and agree with the fact that this is a coupled human-environment system. I thought it was interesting how your diagram was more of a cycle, showing the cyclical nature of the systems whereas mine was more of a listed comparison. I think that my diagram showed more of a progression of time and yours more of a cause and effect cycle. I like that your diagram is more focused on the feedback loop, much different than Marten’s and my own diagrams.

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