Tradeoff — Science definition
Defined in 2 courses:
- A situation where improving one outcome can limit or worsen another valued outcome. (Science 6: Matter, Energy & Earth Systems)
- What an intervention costs or gives up for what it gains; stating it is part of an honest proposal rather than an admission. (Life Science & Scientific Inquiry)
Where it is taught
- Human Impacts, Conservation & Tradeoffs — Ecosystems, Watersheds & Conservation, Science 6: Matter, Energy & Earth Systems, Grade 6
- Human Activities, Habitat & Environmental Evidence — Ecological Evidence & Environmental Design, Life Science & Scientific Inquiry, Grade 7
In use
Evaluating any intervention means naming the outcome you are measuring and accepting that there will be a tradeoff — something given up for what is gained.
Human Activities, Habitat & Environmental Evidence
Questions using tradeoff
Problem 1
Which statement correctly uses tradeoff in Human Impacts, Conservation & Tradeoffs?
- A before-and-after difference always isolates the intended action as its cause.
- One favorable measure proves a proposal meets every goal.
- tradeoff: A situation where improving one outcome can limit or worsen another valued outcome.
- One illustrative result establishes every real condition and needs no further evidence.
Answer and explanation
tradeoff: A situation where improving one outcome can limit or worsen another valued outcome.
A situation where improving one outcome can limit or worsen another valued outcome. Mean sediment is 20 g bare and 12 g buffered, a reduction of 8 g or 40% relative to the bare mean. The buffer fits the stated budget and merits a bounded further test. Tray records do not guarantee a 40% field reduction in all storms; scale, plant establishment, maintenance, and other outcomes need study.
Taught alongside
- conservation
- evidence
- system boundary
- uncertainty
- habitat fragmentation
- infiltration
- impervious surface
- outcome