What is environment

This eventually leads to the deterioration of trees and a decrease in the food supply for different biotic factors in the environment. The atmosphere is the main factor in maintaining the balance of an ecosystem. The atmosphere is composed of a thin layer of gases that covers the Earth. The atmosphere is maintained in its position by the gravitational force. The atmosphere is composed of different gases such as nitrogen , oxygen, carbon dioxide , argon, and inert gases.

Moreover, the atmosphere includes water vapor and ice crystals forming clouds. Ultraviolet radiation damages the DNA of living organisms. Thus, the atmosphere as a component of the environment is important for the survival of living organisms including humans, and for maintaining the environmental balance by preventing temperature extremes.

Global warming is one of the major challenges affecting our environment nowadays. These gases keep the heat within the atmosphere. The rise in their levels in the atmosphere is caused by human activities such as deforestation, carbon dioxide combustion , etc. Accordingly, the global surface temperature increased 0. The climate is the state of wind, humidity, rain, atmospheric pressure, and temperature in a given area over a long period of time. It is classified in relation to different variables such as precipitation and temperature.

Conversely, weather represents the condition of these elements but in the short term only. Both are important components of the environment. Weather is the sum of all phenomena taking place at a given time in a given area. Generally, the weather describes daily temperature values, while the climate describes the average condition of the atmosphere over a long time.

Weather describes differences between places in their moisture and temperature. These differences are due to several factors such as the sun angle on a given area. Surface pressure differs due to differences in temperature from one region to another.

Humans developed systems that can predict the future state of the atmosphere, moreover, they tried to control the weather by different methods. There is evidence that activities of humans such as industry and agriculture have modified the weather since it is affected by any small change in the atmosphere. The biotic components represent all living things on Earth, such as bacteria , protists , algae , fungi , plants , and animals.

Life existed on Earth for more than 3. It is generally characterized by metabolism, growth, organization, adaptation, response, and reproduction. It includes all living organisms in the environment. The part of the Earth where living organisms occupy is referred to as the biosphere. Different living organisms are found within the biosphere. Living organisms have distinct features and traits that make them adapt to specific environments. Biomes are ecological communities of different organisms that are able to adapt to the environmental conditions and climate in a certain geographic area; therefore, biomes are large environments characterized by biotic and abiotic factors such as light, temperature, precipitation, and other factors.

Biomes are classified into 6 regions, which may either be land or aquatic. Land biomes are grassland, forest, tundra, and desert whereas aquatic biomes are freshwater and marine biomes. Biomes are useful in ecological studies and ecosystem changes as they provide information about the environments and how they change, adapt, evolve, and function.

The ecosystem is the external environment wherein all organisms function together along with all non-living things in the environment. Living organisms within the ecosystem form complex relationships with abiotic factors in their environment to support their development and survival.

Energy flows between biotic and abiotic parts of the environment in cycles within the system of the ecosystem. Consequently, all components of the ecosystem are integrated with each other in harmony.

In the chart below, notice how energy flows in an ecosystem. The energy from the sun light energy flows through the various trophic levels from producers to consumers and decomposers as it is converted into chemical energy that drives various metabolic activities and ultimately dissipated, e. Biogeochemical cycles are pathways that allow different chemical substances to move through biotic and abiotic factors on Earth.

Biogeochemical cycles are essential for different environments, especially those of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water. For example, the water moves continuously in the water cycle through different parts of the Earth in different forms such as liquid, ice, or vapor in various places. Although water moves continuously in this cycle, its balance remains constant over time. Similarly, the carbon and oxygen cycle maintain the balance of oxygen and carbon on Earth to maintain the life and the atmosphere of Earth.

The environment is facing many challenges due to human technologies. Environmentalism is a social movement that aims to eliminate or minimize the harmful effect of humans on the environment. Wildlife is generally the natural environment that has not been affected or modified by man.

Wildlife represents regions that are not controlled or developed by human industrial activity. Wilderness areas are mainly used to protect some animal species from extinction, it can also be used in ecological studies and recreation. Wildlife is greatly valued for its environmental, cultural, and spiritual importance.

Because wildlife, uncultivated grassland, unchanged forests, and wildflowers are slowly becoming fewer, the goal of environmentalism is to conserve and protect them. It aims to preserve and protect species, especially those that are at risk of extinction.

It also takes effort in maintaining biodiversity in the natural environment. Sustainable and conserved use of water, air, raw material, land, energy, and other natural resources is ideal to help protect the environment. The use of renewable energy to generate electricity, cooling, heating, and in means of transportation instead of using fossil fuel to decrease pollution, minimize global warming, and ensure sustainability is highly encouraged.

Try to answer the quiz below to check what you have learned so far about the environment. Animals adapt to their environment in aspects of anatomy, physiology, and behavior. This tutorial will help you understand how animals adapt to their habitat.

For instance, how animals thrive in aquatic habitat and are able to overcome osmosis. Milieu, encountered most often in literary writing, refers to intangible aspects of the environment: an exhilarating milieu of artistic ferment and innovation. Ambiance applies to the atmosphere of the surroundings, their mood or tone: an ambiance of ease and elegance.

Setting suggests a background that sets something off: a perfect setting for the emerald. Surroundings alludes specifically to the physical aspects of the environment: awoke in strange surroundings; blend in with her surroundings. Words nearby environment enviable , envier , envious , enviro , environ , environment , environmental , environmental art , environmental audit , environmental design , Environmental Health Officer.

How Skinny Is Too Skinny? The Eve of the Revolution Carl Becker. God and my Neighbour Robert Blatchford. Derived forms of environment environmental , adjective environmentally , adverb.

The totality of circumstances surrounding an organism or group of organisms, especially the combination of external physical conditions that affect and influence the growth, development, and survival of organisms.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. However in the far more important definition of the word environment , as the complex interplay between living systems, humans are very much a part of the environment. Humans are affected by and affect the natural world in deep ways. Moreover, humans have been doing so for as long as humans have existed.

Hunting patterns, agricultural practices, and human waste have always had a major impact on the world's ecology. It has only been within the past hundred years or so that humans have begun to take a significant interest in these effects. One particular use of the word environment bears special attention: waste and pollution. Waste is the unwanted part of a process everything from waste heat to carbon dioxide to nuclear waste , while pollution is waste that has a direct, negative impact on the local ecosystems.

Effective regulatory practices make sure that the waste does not pollute the environment beyond specific levels, which, when regulated properly correspond to levels of degradation that are manageable. While there are rare cases in which the environment is helped by human waste products, for the most part the human effect on local ecology is disruptive and usually negative.

Humans have had a profound effect on their local environment. Humans are not the only species to have a profound effect on their environment.