Geography
Environment and Biodiversity
The environment refers to the natural surroundings and conditions in which living organisms exist. Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life forms, including different species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity within species. Together, they are crucial components of the Earth's ecosystems, providing essential resources and services that support life and human well-being.
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11 Key excerpts on "Environment and Biodiversity"
eBook - PDF- Noel Castree, David Demeritt, Diana Liverman, Bruce Rhoads, Noel Castree, David Demeritt, Diana Liverman, Bruce Rhoads(Authors)
- 2009(Publication Date)
- Wiley-Blackwell(Publisher)
Geographic contexts range widely for these intensive interactions between biodiversity and humans (Naughton-Treves et al., 2006). Analysis of human-environment interac-tions in such contexts include local- and region-scale differences in land use activities that range from utilitarian and ‘backyard’-type to deeply cultural and religious practices (Hecht, 2004, Zimmerer, 2004). Accelerating change tends to typify these interactions. The biodiversity of agricultural plants and ecosystems (‘agrobiodiver-sity’) in Africa, for example, is on the verge of becoming subject to technology-based advances in ‘bio-fortification’ – the process of creating, either through conventional breeding or genetic modification, and subsequently disseminating genetically improved food crops with enhanced levels of bio-available micronutrients. BIODIVERSITY 59 Historical factors strongly contour the relations of biodiversity to humans. His-torical analysis abounds in nature-society and human-environment approaches, with varying degrees of similarity to the closely related approaches of historical geography, environmental history, and ecological history. These historical perspec-tives offer important insights into biodiversity. Such insights include the following: (i) much biodiversity exists in environments, often geographically extensive, that have undergone long histories of interaction with human activities ( contra the so-called Pristine Myth) (Denevan, 1992; Balée 2006); (ii) it is the type, magnitude, and scale of human impacts that determines relations of human-modified environ-ments to biodiversity (Zimmerer and Young, 1998); and (iii) biodiversity, like other environmental concerns, is appreciated and understood among many audiences, including both specialists and non-specialists, through the kinds of stories, or nar-ratives, that are used to present and describe such issues.
eBook - PDF- Shalinee Naidoo(Author)
- 2023(Publication Date)
- Delve Publishing(Publisher)
BIODIVERSITY CHAPTER22 WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY? The Earth is home to a variety of life forms which in essence form the product of billions of years of evolution. From the tiniest of animals to the largest of species, the Earth holds a rich source of interconnected and interdependent life forms. The air we breathe, the water we drink and food that we consume are fundamental to our existence however these life-supporting factors depend on a host of interactions from various different animals, plants and microscopic life forms. All of these together form an intricate web of life that provides a host of ecological, economic and aesthetic benefits to man and the environment. This variety of species from all sources of life be it terrestrial, marine or other as well as the ecological processes of which they form a part of, are known as biological diversity or more commonly, biodiversity. In fact, biodiversity is commonly defined as a scientific concept that has been developed to embrace all living things, including humans. In essence, biodiversity refers to the variety of life in all its forms together with a host of natural processes that support and connect life forms at all levels. Therefore preserving all these forms of life is essential to maintaining our own quality of life as humans. Three levels of biodiversity are commonly defined, namely genetic diversity, species diversity and natural (or ecosystem) diversity. Genetic diversity commonly refers to the different genes contained in living species. It is more colloquially referred to as the raw materials that permit species to Environmental Science for Beginners 220 adapt to such a rapidly changing world, regardless of the type of changes that occur. These changes can either be as a result of natural factors or human factors.
eBook - PDF- Preethi Kartan(Author)
- 2019(Publication Date)
- Delve Publishing(Publisher)
An Introduction to Biodiversity 3 ecosystems both aquatic and terrestrial, within a specified area. Biological diversity basically deals with the level of variety of nature in the biosphere. This variety can easily be observed at three distinct levels as the genetic variability in a species, the diversity of species in a community, and the organization of species in an area into the typical plant as well as animal community’s create ecosystem diversity. Biodiversity comprises a huge distinction within as well as between species of the living organisms. Each of the living species links together to further form the complex system. This is basically considered as a significant tool of biodiversity. Species is usually known as the group of individuals who has the ability to reproduce similar species in the very next generation. Generally, biological diversity comprises all kinds of natural habitats with the availability of certain species. The diversity of variety in ecosystem consists of species diversity, ecosystem diversity and habitat diversity. The interactive relation between biota and environment forms a complex system in nature. Figure 1.1: Meaning of Biodiversity. Source: https://eco-globe.com/general-meaning-of-biodiversity/ Biodiversity and Biotechnology 4 Level of pollution, changes in climate, the structure as well as the composition of vegetation, etc. are significant factors involved in the function and structure of such kind of system. Compliance of few species is a notable character essential quality of the species that basically support them to survive in particular climatic condition, and playing a major role in the species survival. Variation of species is basically determined by the consequence of gene activity. This is generally regulated by the availability of various environmental facilities present for the species, group of species or by the association of individual species making a population structure.
eBook - PDF- Judith Rosales(Author)
- 2019(Publication Date)
- Society Publishing(Publisher)
The foundation of any ecosystem is the biodiversity present on earth, where all the living organisms are inter-related and inter-dependent on each other. According to Singh, “the current estimates of the total number of species on earth vary from 5 to more than 100 million, with a more conservative figure of 13.6 million of species. Of these, only 1.78 million of species have yet been described and awarded scientific names.” Each species is adapted to live in a specific environment, from mountain peaks to the depth of seas, from polar ice caps to tropical rain forests and deserts.” Apart from the ecological balances and its importance, biodiversity also provides socioeconomic and monetary support and an asset to a country. Human beings have always been dependent on the natural resources available Biodiversity 69 in the ecosystems helping them to sustain their livelihood through the use of various goods and tangible or intangible ecological services available to them. Regarding the historical development of biodiversity, we could say that the first classification of living beings was conducted by Linneo who classified all living beings in Domains, Kingdoms, Phyllum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and finally Species, using morphology and natural history or phylogeny. The term biodiversity was first coined by Walter Rosen in the year 1986, while he was planning for National Forum on Biological Diversity, which was organized by the National Research Council. The first in utilizing the term in the scientific literature, however, was Edward Wilson. In general, biodiversity could also be described as “variation of life at all levels of biological organization.” It is also defined as the diversity of alleles, genes, and organisms, which study the processes related to mutation and gene transfer, which drive the evolution of a living organism.
eBook - PDFEnvironment
An Interdisciplinary Anthology
- Eugene Jolas, Andreas Kramer, Rainer Rumold(Authors)
- 2008(Publication Date)
- Yale University Press(Publisher)
i . b i o l o g i c a l i n t e r a c t i o n s The study of the natural world or “the environment” has long been the province of what is commonly called the natural sciences, usually distinguished from two other areas, the humanities and the social sciences. The three sections in Part Two of Environment mirror these three areas, and by doing so make the claim that all three are connected to environmental issues, and that each one contributes something important to the understanding of those issues. The natural sciences are usually delineated to include physics, “the queen of the sciences,” chemistry, biology, astronomy, geology, air and atmospheric sci-ence, oceanography, and sometimes mathematics. In this section we elevate bi-ology to its place of honor as the “queen” of the environmental sciences for a simple, yet controversial reason: study of the environment takes on urgency in direct proportion to its effect on biological systems and life. In other words, our concerns focus first on how environmental change affects living organisms: if air is polluted, it is not the air, for its own sake, that we worry about—we worry about the negative consequences for human health or for the health of species or whole ecosystems that depend on that air. Such interde-pendency guides the structure of this section on Biological Interactions. The first chapter, “Biodiversity and Conservation Biology,” focuses on interactions within biological systems. Subsequent chapters expand the focus outward in two directions, to include interactions with non-living components of the environ-ment and with human beings. The second chapter adds a partly living, partly non-living, interacting entity—soil—to the mix, and enriches our understand-ing of the fundamental human undertaking of agriculture. The third chapter 353 adds two non-living yet vital constituents—air and water—whose cycles sustain yet are simultaneously threatened by human activities.
eBook - PDF- James Petersen, Dorothy Sack, Robert Gabler, , James Petersen, James Petersen, Dorothy Sack, Robert Gabler(Authors)
- 2021(Publication Date)
- Cengage Learning EMEA(Publisher)
The evi- dence must be studied carefully and scientifically to determine what is occurring and what the potential consequences might be. Changes of this type include shifts in climate, expansion and con- traction of deserts, varying composition of the oceans or atmo- sphere, and changes in global sea level. Some changes within the Earth system are natural, others are human induced, and some result from a combination of these factors. Today, much of the concern about environmental change, such as global warming, centers on the increasing impact that human activities are exerting on Earth’s natural systems. To understand Earth and the effects that humans have on it, whether Biogeographers are concerned about geographic aspects of plant and animal communities, thus they share fundamental interests with many biologists. Despite these areas of shared knowledge, physical geography differs from those other fields because of its emphasis on problems of a spatial nature and because geographers tend to take a holistic approach to their studies. Physical geography considers all spatial scales, from global to regional to local, and all component parts of the natural envi- ronment: the atmosphere, earth materials, plants and animals, and water. By examining the whole set of factors, features, and processes that work together at Earth’s surface, physical geogra- phers tend to ask different questions than physicists, geologists, chemists, or biologists and provide different insights into the planet’s dynamic nature. Because of its holistic approach to the study of Earth’s surface characteristics and processes, physical geography is especially well suited to using the scientific notion of systems in studying Earth. Earth as a System A system is any organized entity that con- sists of interrelated and interacting components. Physical systems have matter and energy as well as an organizational structure con- sisting of pathways and linkages between components.
No longer available |Learn more- James Petersen, Dorothy Sack, Robert Gabler(Authors)
- 2016(Publication Date)
- Cengage Learning EMEA(Publisher)
3 1 PLANET EARTH IS HOME TO a large and complex set of living organisms, including humans. Earth’s surface is our natural habitat, providing us with air, water, nutrients, and shelter. Earth also receives enough sunlight to maintain livable temperatures and to power food production by plants through photosynthesis. Surrounded by the emptiness of space, life on Earth is dependent on the planet’s self-contained natural resources that are extensive, but not limitless. Only recently in the history of human life have we been able to view Earth in its entirety from space, giving us a fresh perspective on characteristics of the ocean, atmosphere, land masses, and natural vegetation. In addition to being able to see the physical Earth as a whole, technological advances in communication, transportation, and information sciences over the last several decades have led to an increasingly global social perspective. These developments, combined with population growth, make the world seem smaller, and have helped heighten awareness of the finite nature of Earth, its environments, and its resources. OUTLINE The Study of Geography Physical Geography Geographic Tools and Technology Major Perspectives in Physical Geography Spatial Science Perspective Geography’s Spatial Science Perspective: Natural Regions Physical Science Perspective Environmental Science Perspective Geography’s Environmental Science Perspective: Human–Environment Interactions Using Models and Systems Systems Analysis Open and Closed Systems Equilibrium in Earth Systems Physical Geography and You OBJECTIVES WHEN YOU COMPLETE THIS CHAPTER YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO: ■ 1.1 Explain why physical geography examines both the natural world and human interaction with the natural world. ■ 1.2 Discuss important ways in which geographic information and techniques are useful in different careers. ■ 1.3 Describe the three major perspectives of physical geography: spatial science, physical science, and environmental science.
eBook - PDFEcology
Principles and Applications
- J. L. Chapman, M. J. Reiss(Authors)
- 1998(Publication Date)
- Cambridge University Press(Publisher)
Whether or not an organism can survive at all stages of its life in a particular environment is therefore of considerable importance in determining the distribution within habitats and the overall global range of individual species. Figure 9.2 summarises the complex interactions between the abiotic and biotic environments of an organism. Investigations of the components of the environ- ment and the responses of organisms play a crucial part in ecological study as they add to our under- standing of both the distribution of species and the structure of communities. 9.2 The physical environment 9.2.1 The composition of the physical environment The physical or abiotic environment experienced by an organism depends on several factors: geology (rock and soil types); topography (landscape); world location (latitudinal light and temperature varia- tions); climate and weather; and catastrophes (fire, earthquakes etc.). Some of these factors such as the geology and topography of an area are relatively sta- ble; they may be different at different places, but at any one site they will remain constant for periods of time much longer than the life of the organisms living there. Other factors, such as atmospheric con- ditions including humidity, wind speed, temperature and sunlight, will be very variable at one locality from one day or year to the next. Such abiotic factors will also change throughout the day and night, so that an organism, however short its life span, will have to live through changes in the environment. 9.2.2 Geology and soil The different rock types which form the geology of an area are the product of many long and complicated processes. These include the effects of the movements of whole continents by a process called plate tecton- ics (see Section 18.2), igneous activity such as volcanos, the accumulation of sediments and erosion of rocks. Figure 9.3 shows how complex the pattern produced by these processes can be.
eBook - PDF- Christian Lévêque, Jean-Claude Mounolou(Authors)
- 2004(Publication Date)
- Wiley(Publisher)
150 6 DYNAMICS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY . changes in atmospheric composition; . climate changes; . alterations in the composition of natural communities and loss of biodiversity. The term implies the impacts of both economic development and world population growth upon the principal domains of the Earth’s system – the atmosphere, soils and aquatic systems – as well as those processes involved in the exchanges of matter and energy between these domains. Land changes deforestation, grazing, intensive farming, etc. Biogeochemical cycles carbon, nitrogen, water, and other element and compounds Species introductions and extinctions biological invasions, hunting, fishing, gathering Climatic changes greenhouse effect, aerosols, land cover Loss of biological diversity extinction of populations, extinction of species, loss of ecosystems Human population size use of resources Human activities agriculture industry energy trade Figure 6.5 Conceptual model illustrating direct and indirect effects upon the bio- sphere (adapted from Lubchenko et al., 1991) 6 . 3 HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND THE DYNAMICS 151 6. 3 . 1 Demographic pressures Among the factors responsible for the erosion of biological diversity, demographic pressures and increasingly powerful technologies are the ultimate causes. More space is required to house and feed a world population that has increased dramatically: 2 billion people in 1930, 4 billion in 1975, and predicted to reach 8 billion or more as we approach 2020. This population growth is of concern to the whole planet, but particularly for tropical countries, where biological diversity is greater than in temperate zones. 6. 3 . 2 Land use and the transformation of the countryside In order to produce goods and services, humans modify the structure and functioning of ecosystems. The first major actions of humans upon their environment involved setting fires in order to flush out wild game or clear the ground.
- Vierah Hulley(Author)
- 2023(Publication Date)
- Delve Publishing(Publisher)
Because people, objects, components, and even complete systems seldom exist in isolation, this is the reason why this is true (Xu, 2011). As a result, attempting to grasp the concept of “environment” without an understanding of how everything is interconnected is a waste of time. Anything from people to items to entire systems can have an impact on their surroundings and vice versa. Because of this interdependence that might exist between diverse entities in certain circumstances, the webs of interrelationships that can exist between them can be tremendously Key Aspects of Environmental Planning: Public Policy and Practice 4 extensive and intricate. It is helpful to think of the “environment” as a kind of field or place where different elements interact and connect. The biotic and abiotic (nonliving) components of environmental systems, as well as the interactions between them, are of special interest to ecologists, who study ecology under various guises and hence are likely to be familiar with this method of thinking as well. The term “environment” is frequently used synonymously with the scientific term “ecology,” which refers to a community of species that are dependent upon one another as well as the physical environment in which they live. It is the natural surroundings in which we live that are referred to as the “environment.” The notion of interconnectivity is fundamental to environmental science and management due to the reality that many environmental issues are the consequence of one environmental system being disturbed or degraded as a result of changes to another environmental system (Beierle and Konisky, 2001). 1.2. ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INTRODUCTION Land development that considers not just the natural environment but also social, political, economic, and governance components can provide a solid foundation for long-term success.
- Singh, M P, Soma Dey(Authors)
- 2021(Publication Date)
- Daya Publishing House(Publisher)
3 Ecosystems, Environment and Biodiversity Introduction The concept of ‘diversity’ and its relationship to other aspects of community organization and dynamics is of great significance in the development of plant ecology, but a precise meaning of diversity is lacking. Two individuals are not diverse if they are of different sexes; they are diverse only if they are of different species. Similarly, subspecies do not count as diverse only if they are of different species. Similarly, subspecies do not count as diverse, nor are larvae from adults. There has been little critical evaluation of whether species are the most appropriate units of currency of diversity for understanding ecological phenomena. Cousins (1991) discussed the limitations of treating all species equally, and suggested that ranking or weighting species with respect of function or size or systematic relationships provides a better and more relevant measure of diversity. Two active areas in community ecology concern the relationship between species diversity and both disturbance and non-competitive biotic interactions such as mycorrhizal infections (Wayne and Bazzaz, 1991). The rapid loss of natural areas and high rates of extinction of species and subspecies in the tropics has led to resurgence of interest in cataloging species in unexplored areas and trying to understand the factors generating and maintaining this bio-diversity (Wilson, 1988). The ecologist’s definition of a diverse community implies that it is biotically and/or abiotically heterogeneous in space or time. More often it is the biotic components of communities that are described with measures of diversity. It is not clear, however, why ecologists have mostly tended to describe biotic diversity using species classes. In reality, the term ‘diversity’ biologically denotes little on its own; it requires an adjective such as ‘species’, ‘genetic’ or ‘chemical’ to be meaningful.
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