Positive feedback primarily leads to which of the following?

Study for the IB Environmental Systems and Societies Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Positive feedback loops are mechanisms that enhance or amplify changes, driving systems away from equilibrium rather than stabilizing them. This occurs when an initial change in a system triggers further responses that reinforce that change. For example, in climate systems, rising temperatures can lead to ice melt, which reduces the Earth's albedo (reflectivity) and causes further warming.

This amplification can lead to significant and often rapid shifts in environmental states, making it difficult for systems to return to their original equilibrium. In contrast, stability and equilibrium are typically associated with negative feedback loops that act to diminish change and maintain balance. Thus, the essence of positive feedback is the drive toward increased change and instability, which is why it primarily leads to amplified change and deviation from equilibrium.

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