The Role and Importance of the Natural Environment
1. Define the term 'environment'
The environment is the totality of our surroundings, comprising both living and non-living features of the earth's surface.
Geographers are interested in the relationship between people and the environment, particularly as we depend on the environment for survival and wellbeing through the provision of raw materials and food, the absorption and recycling of wastes, and places of enjoyment.
Geographers are interested in the relationship between people and the environment, particularly as we depend on the environment for survival and wellbeing through the provision of raw materials and food, the absorption and recycling of wastes, and places of enjoyment.
2. Other than for survival, why is the environment important to you?
Biodiversity
Biological diversity (biodiversity) is the variety of life on Earth. It includes all living things, including plants, animals and micro-organisms, and their unique characteristics.
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3. What does biodiversity provide us with to live?
Environmental Change
Biotic potential
In order to survive, species need to change and adapt, this is an essential component of biodiversity. The biotic potential of a species is a measure of how well it has adapted, eg developing defence mechanisms or camouflage. This usually happens in response to environmental resistance decreasing population.
Adaptations
pressures on biodiversity
Levels of Threat
- extinction - not seen in the wild for the last 50 years
- extinct in the wild - found only in captivity
- critically endangered - facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
- endangered - facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild
- vulnerable - facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
- threatened - probably endangered or vulnerable in the near future
41% of amphibian species, 33% of reef-building corals, 30% of conifers, 25% of mammals and 13% of birds have a threat level status.
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Causes of biodiversity loss
Habitat loss and degradation
Introduced Species
Rabbits, foxes, camels, goats, cane toads, cats, blackberry and prickly pear are some of the introduced species in Australia that have gone feral. Introduced animals and plants compete for food and space, and animals such as the numbat have become endangered as they are hunted by introduced animals.
Hunting (over-exploitation)
Animals are hunted for food and skins, pushing many species towards extinction. Tigers and elephants are facing extinction because of over-exploitation.
Disease
Pollution
Pollutants released into the environment can have significant, large-scale impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, eg acid rain in European forests and DDTs and other pollutants decimating many bird species, such as the peregrin falcon.
Climate Change
Global warming has the potential to transform biomes, affecting the plants and animals within ecosystems.
Other causes
Wildlife trade
The wildlife trade is the second-largest illegal trade in the world (drugs is first). It is also a serious threat to endangered and vulnerable species. Animals are traded dead or alive, with the trade estimated at a value of US$10 - $20 billion per year.
The wildlife trade is the second-largest illegal trade in the world (drugs is first). It is also a serious threat to endangered and vulnerable species. Animals are traded dead or alive, with the trade estimated at a value of US$10 - $20 billion per year.
maintaining biodiversity
Why species loss matters
Biological diversity allows ecosystems to function better, as different species function to purify water, maintain air quality, recycle nutrients and waste, provide and shelter for other species, and keep the population of some species from dominating an environment.
Plants and animals also supply many of the medicines used in disease cures.
Plants and animals also supply many of the medicines used in disease cures.
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Strategies
While there are strategies to save species from extinction, none of these will be sufficient to save many species currently threatened.
Protected Areas
National parks, wilderness areas, nature reserves are examples of protected areas that have been set aside to provide protection for threatened habitats and maintain biodiversity. These areas cover approximately 8.8% of the earth's surface. A smaller areas (1%) of the world's seas are protected.
What conditions do you think would need to be met if a protection area is to be successful?
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Zoos, botanical gardens and seed banks
Zoos play an important role in captive breeding programs for endangered species, scientific research and public education. Animals bred in zoos are being used to repopulate their original homelands.
Zoos play an important role in captive breeding programs for endangered species, scientific research and public education. Animals bred in zoos are being used to repopulate their original homelands.