Question

Rising temperature due to global warming can stimulate decomposition of organic matter and release CO\(_2\) into the atmosphere. This is an example of

• A. positive feedback.
• B. negative feedback.
• C. environmental heterogeneity.
• D. environmental stochasticity.

Hint:

Positive feedback: Warming increases decomposition, releasing more CO\(_2\) and enhancing warming.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Positive feedback occurs when an initial change in a system leads to further changes that amplify the original effect. In the context of global warming, rising temperatures can increase the rate of decomposition of organic matter in soils. This process releases more CO\(_2\) into the atmosphere, which in turn increases the greenhouse effect, leading to higher temperatures. Thus, the warming accelerates the process, creating a vicious cycle of increasing temperature and CO\(_2\) levels. This is an example of positive feedback.
On the other hand, negative feedback involves processes that counteract the original change, stabilizing the system, which is not the case here.
Environmental heterogeneity refers to spatial variability in environmental conditions, and environmental stochasticity refers to random variations in environmental factors, neither of which applies directly to the CO\(_2\) feedback loop described in the question.
Thus, the correct answer is (A), positive feedback.