Chapter 1 Lecture Slides 1101 (2).pptx

Chapter 1 Physical Geography: Physical, Spatial, and Environmental Science Reminders Chapter 0 Cengage Assignments are due Friday, January 19th at 11:59 PM Chapter 1 Cengage Assignments are due Friday January 19th at 11:59 PM Objectives By the end of this chapter, you should be able to: 01.01 Descri...

Chapter 1 Physical Geography: Physical, Spatial, and Environmental Science Reminders Chapter 0 Cengage Assignments are due Friday, January 19th at 11:59 PM Chapter 1 Cengage Assignments are due Friday January 19th at 11:59 PM Objectives By the end of this chapter, you should be able to: 01.01 Describe the fundamental difference between physical and human geography. 01.02 Explain why geography is considered a spatial discipline. 01.03 Discuss the concept of a geographic region. 01.04 List three ways in which modern technology is used in physical geography. 01.05 Distinguish among the three major perspectives of physical geography: physical science, spatial science, and environmental science. Objectives By the end of this chapter, you should be able to: 01.06 Give an example of how a physical geographer might use the scientific method. 01.07 Specify why it is appropriate to consider Earth a system. 01.08 Explain why human interaction with the natural world is considered part of physical geography. 01.09 Discuss the relationship between physical geography and environmental sustainability. 01.10 Provide three examples of how physical geography is relevant to your everyday life. 1-1 Geography Is Physical, Human, and Spatial What do you think of when you think about Physical Geography? Physical Geography is the study of all the natural aspects of Earth as our habitat and home 1-1 Geography Is Physical, Human, and Spatial Physical geographers seek to understand as much as possible about the natural Earth They focus on its characteristics, materials and processes so humans can live here in a healthy and sustainable way Identify environmental problems caused by people and recognize ways in which nature will respond to human-induced changes in the environment 1-1 Geography Is Physical, Human, and Spatial What is the difference between Human Geography and Physical Geography? 1-1 Geography Is Physical, Human, and Spatial 1-1 Geography Is Physical, Human, and Spatial Physical geography involves: Meteorologists Climatologists Geomorphologists Biogeographers Soil scientists Hydrologists Oceanographers Glaciologists 1-2 Geographic Technology Geographers use: Computers Internet Satellite images Cartography Visual interpretation Observations Data 1-2 Geographic Technology Mentally walk through your typical daily routine and count the number of times they make use of geographic technologies. 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography Three Major Perspectives in Physical Geography: Physical Science Perspective Considers all spatial scales, from global to regional to local, and all component parts of the natural environment: the atmosphere, earth materials, plants and animals, and water. 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography The Physical Science Perspective Earth as a system - interactions among a vast combination of factors Four major subsystems Atmosphere Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere What is focused on in each category? 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography Atmosphere: blanket of air, composed of various gases, that envelops Earth. Lithosphere (geosphere): a general term for the solid (rock) part of the Earth system Biosphere: composed of people, animals, plants, and all other living things Hydrosphere: includes the waters of Earth, such as the ocean, lakes, rivers, glaciers, and water in the soil, atmosphere, and organisms. 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography The Physical Science Perspective Physical geographers use the scientific method to observe phenomena, collect and analyze data, answer questions and find solutions to the natural processes acting on Earth. Geographers also draw from and contribute to the larger body of physical science knowledge, and results of their research are of interest to many other physical scientists. Physical geographers who specialize in climatology or meteorology exchange many ideas and much information with atmospheric physicists. 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography The Physical Science Perspective Earth system dynamics Dynamic changes (constant changes) Seasons, ocean tides, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions Long-term changes World climates, drought cycles, rise or fall in sea levels, and erosion of coastlines 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography Three Major Perspectives in Physical Geography: Spatial Science Perspective The following five spatial topics—location, characteristics of places, spatial distribution and pattern, spatial interaction, and change over space and time—illustrate factors that geographers typically consider and problems that they address. 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography The Spatial Science Perspective In addition to being a physical science, physical geography is a spatial science because it uses the scientific method to study variations in natural phenomena over space at and near Earth’s surface. Location Absolute Location - location of an object on the basis of mathematical coordinates on an Earth grid. Relative Location - a description of an object’s location, relative to the position of some other object or feature. 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography The Spatial Science Perspective Characteristics of places Determine what physical geographic features give a particular mountain range its distinctive appearance or describe how one mountain range differs from another. Assessing the differences and similarities between two examples of the same general type of feature helps us better understand the processes influencing each 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography The Spatial Science Perspective Spatial distribution and Pattern Spatial Distribution: extent of area or areas where feature exists Tropical rainforests, for example, cover particular expanses of Earth’s surface, thus they are spatially distributed. Spatial Pattern: how multiple individuals of the same type are arranged over Earth’s surface The spatial pattern of earthquakes may be aligned on a map because earthquake faults display linear patterns. 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography The Spatial Science Perspective Spatial Interaction: process whereby different phenomena are linked or interconnected, and, as a result, impact one another through Earth space. Ex: Excessive rainfall in Minnesota and Wisconsin might lead to flooding along the Mississippi River in Missouri Change Over Space and Time: Earth’s features and landscapes change continually, sometimes at spatial and temporal scales that make the change difficult for people to notice. 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography Three Major Perspectives in Physical Geography: Environmental Science Perspective primarily natural part of the environment, including weather, climate, landforms, rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals, as well as their characteristics, processes, and interconnections. 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography The Environmental Science Perspective In the broadest sense, the environment is our surroundings, consisting of all physical, social, and cultural aspects of the world that affect our growth, our health, and the way we live. Ecosystems Ecology: science that studies the interactions between organisms and their environment. Ecosystem: community of organisms functioning together through interdependent relationships with the environment that they occupy. Ecosystems are dynamic in that their various parts are always changing. Plants grow, rain falls, animals eat, and soils develop. All of these actions and processes affect ecosystems. 1-3 Major Perspectives in Physical Geography The Environmental Science Perspective Physical geography includes considering environmental relationships that involve humans and human activities. Human–environment interactions are twoway relationships The environment influences human activities and human activities affect the environment. What is an example of how the environment can influence human activities? What is an example of how human activities can influence the environment? Discussion: Human-Environment Interaction In groups of 3-5 answer the following: How do Earth’s four major subsystems interact with each other? Give two examples. Give two examples of human-environment interactions that are advantageous Give two examples of human-environment interactions that are detrimental or hazardous Let us say that you live in an area that was once abundant with wildlife and vegetation but is now dry and barren, with little wildlife remaining. As a geographer, what are four factors that you would investigate to try to discover the cause of this problem? 1-4 Working with Models and Earth Systems Model Simplifications of complex reality Pictorial/graphic models Physical models Mathematical/statistical models Conceptual models Mental map Our planet is much too complex for a single model to explain all of its environmental components and how they affect one another! 1-4 Working with Models and Earth Systems Systems analysis: determining the parts of a system, the processes involved, and studying how changes in interactions among those parts and processes may affect the system and its operation. 1. Clearly define the system that you wish to study and delineate the system boundaries. 2. Identify any matter and energy that enters or leaves the system. 3. Inventory component parts of the system and processes acting within the system. 4. Examine how the system components and processes interact with one another. 5. Determine how the component interactions affect the operation of the system. 1-4 Working with Models and Earth Systems Open and closed systems Open systems system in which energy and materials can freely cross its boundaries. Closed systems system in which no substantial amount of materials can cross its boundaries. Earth is an open system for energy but is virtually closed in terms of matter because so little matter enters and leaves the system. 1-4 Working with Models and Earth Systems In a systems model, geographers can trace inputs of energy and matter into the system, their storage in the system, their output from the system, and the interactions between components within the system. 1-4 Working with Models and Earth Systems Feedback—adjustment in response to change Negative feedback reaction to initial change in a system that counteracts the initial change and leads to dynamic equilibrium in the system. An example of negative feedback is when an increase in the deer population depletes the animals’ food supplies, which leads to a decrease in population back toward the original number. Positive feedback reaction to initial change in a system that reinforces the initial change and leads to imbalance in the system. For example, several times in the past 2.65 million years, Earth experienced episodes of cooler temperatures. Feedback Loops a set of feedback operations that can be repeated as a cycle. Think About It How does the study of systems relate to the role of geography as a physical science? How does the examination of human–environment relationships in ecosystems serve to illustrate the role of geography as an environmental science? How do open and closed systems differ? Is Earth an open or closed system? Explain your answer. What is a threshold in a system? What are some examples that relate to physical geography? How does negative feedback maintain a tendency toward balance in a system? Draw a simple, circular feedback loop to illustrate the interactions between components and processes involved in some system that you are familiar with. Label the positive (direct) and negative (inverse) feedback relationships. What threshold conditions exist and how do they enact change?