103k views
5 votes
According to the ipats model (notice the extra letter on the end), if an ecosystem's sensitivity is low, will the environmental impact be higher or lower than an ecosystem with higher sensitivity?

User Nicogpt
by
5.1k points

2 Answers

2 votes

Final answer:

In the IPATS model, an ecosystem with low sensitivity has a lower environmental impact than one with higher sensitivity. Highly resilient ecosystems are less vulnerable to climate change. Economic tradeoffs in environmental conferences reflect the balance of immediate economic needs versus long-term environmental goals between low-income and high-income countries.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the IPATS model, which stands for Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology x Sensitivity, the environmental impact of an action depends on these factors. When considering an ecosystem's sensitivity, a low-sensitivity ecosystem will generally have a lower environmental impact compared to an ecosystem with higher sensitivity. This is because ecosystems with low sensitivity are more resilient and able to absorb disturbances without significant changes to their structural characteristics or function. Consequently, even if the population, affluence, or technology aspects suggest a high potential impact, the actual impact is mitigated by the ecosystem's low sensitivity.

A highly resilient ecosystem is able to recover from disturbances and continue to provide ecosystem goods and services. It's less vulnerable to climate change effects like temperature rises because the flora and fauna are better adapted to handle fluctuations in their environment.

In international conferences on global environmental damage, the economic tradeoffs often involve balancing the immediate economic needs of low-income countries with the long-term environmental protection goals that are a priority for high-income countries. This can lead to disagreements on responsibilities and funds allocation for environmental protection measures.

User Honghao Z
by
5.4k points
5 votes

Yes this is correct

User Akki
by
5.0k points