4_Natural World, Components and its Relationships-1.pdf

Natural World and its Relationships Natural World Natural World refers to the 'Natural Environment' that surrounds us in various forms like the earth, sun, moon, stars, forests, rivers, animals etc. It can be described as the Earth's environment which includes...

Natural World and its Relationships Natural World Natural World refers to the 'Natural Environment' that surrounds us in various forms like the earth, sun, moon, stars, forests, rivers, animals etc. It can be described as the Earth's environment which includes everything which is not man made and / or which has not been substantially altered by Humans. Natural World Natural World is composed of various Natural Elements which can be in the form of an Organism, a Geographical Area, Space etc. Natural world is more than just forests, woods and shrubs. In real terms natural world is so vast that we human beings have yet to fully understand it. Components of the Natural World Components of Natural World Atmosphere Natural Solar Animal Plant of Earth Habitats System Kingdom Kingdom Components of Natural World Within the Components or Elements of Nature occur various Geological and Biological Processes. These Geological and Biological Processes are important for the functioning of a Natural World as a unit. Components of Natural World NATURAL WORD ALSO BIOLOGICAL GEOLOGICAL ENCOMPASSES VARIOUS GEOLOGICAL AND PROCESS PROCESS BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES. Components of Natural World Biological Process - a process Geological Process - which are caused by Nature's Internal and occurring in Living Organisms. external Forces. It is a Natural Biological Processes are made Process whereby Geological up of any number of chemical Features are modified, like shaping reactions or other events that the physical make up of a Planet. results in a Transformation. Some of the Biological Processes: Fermentation Fertilization Germination Metamorphosis Nitrogen Cycle Photosynthesis Regeneration Tropism Transpiration Some of the Geological Processes: Clouds Earthquakes Hailstorm Volcanoes Rainfall Tsunami Tornado Wind Components of Natural World The natural environment is also referred to as the physical environment. It consists of non-living things or the a-biotic factors. Biological Environment which consists of all living things or organisms. The social environment deals with what has been created by humans and the interpersonal relationship that exist among people. It consists of people, their cultural intentions, interpersonal relationship, religion, political beliefs and practices, buildings, machines, languages and so on. Relationship Between The Components of The Natural Environment  Relationship Between The Components of The Natural Environment The various components of the natural environment are related to one another. For example, the air; human beings and animals' breath, is essentially from trees and other forms of vegetation. The trees in turn take in the air human beings breathe out. The land provides support and nutrients for the trees and other plants. The plants also in turn provide the land with their dead leaves or other parts which contribute to the formation of soil.  Ways By Belief system Which The Social Festivals Environment Affects The Taboos Physical and Biological Laws Environment Belief system Some societies do not destroy the resources in their surroundings. For example, Australians believe that they did not own the land, but they have to protect it. Again, some groups of people in India believe that the trees in the forest are gods and thus it is their responsibility to protect it. Some Ghanaian societies believe the river and the water bodies were considered sacred as well as the forest so regulations (taboo bans individuals who would take or use such resource at their own will). Belief system On the other hand, other societies do not hold the same beliefs which protect their natural environment. People in these societies tend to be the living and non- living things in their natural environment. They view these things as resources to be used rather than protected. Due to their belief they find it less important to cater for the environment leaving it in a bad state. Festivals Some societies have festivals which protect their environment. For instance, the people of Winneba celebrate the Aboakyire Festival every year. During this festival, the Asgo companies go to the bush and catch a live deer for the festival rituals. It has become necessary and needful for the people in Winneba to protect the forest (vegetation and wildlife) to get the live deer needed for their festival.  Festivals On the other hand, communities whose festivals have no regards for the natural environment destroy them. A typical example will be bush burning by the youth and teens in order to obtain bush meat which would have been prevented in another community. Taboos In the olden days, the Ghanaian traditional societies had respect for taboos which protect our environment, especially the vegetation (forest) and water bodies. The taboo prevented activities such as farming near water bodies, defecating in water bodies as well as polluting water bodies with dangerous chemicals (DDT) during fishing.  Taboos The current generation pays little or no respect of these taboos which were set more or less to protect the environment. These behaviors have made the shores (Beaches) of the sea unattractive and uncomfortable to stay compared to other communities where to seat to enjoy nature. Laws The quality of the existing laws and the extent in which they are enforced affect our environment. Degradation is likely to occur. For example, the Indian River in Dominica Caribbean Island was polluted by tourist and boat operators because there were no laws governing their activities. Laws The Korle Lagoon and Odo River in Ghana (Accra) are degraded due to poor enforcement of law by the administrators. People put up buildings on waterways and do not care what the result might be after a heavy down pour. And law enforcers have little or no say to these practices. When laws are enacted, and proper measure of enforcement is put in place degradation would be the least to talk about in a community. Laws Clean Water Act Clean Air Act Solid Waste Management Act (R.A. 9003) How Physical and Biological Environment Affects Social Environment The physical The type of food environment affects the Clothing social environment Shelter in the following Type of local work ways; Type of energy The type of food The physical environment determines the soil, climate and vegetation of an area which tends to affect / determines the type of crops to plant and eat. For example, in Ghana, people who live in the forest zone eat more plantain, cocoyam and cassava whiles those in the savanna belt eat more guinea corn and sorghum. Clothing The type of things we wear is also determined by the physical environment. Ghana receives sunshine virtually throughout the year while Greenland on the other hand receives sunshine six months a year. Clothing In Ghana two seasons are experienced; wet and dry season. People are seen in jackets during wet season, but during the dry season they are seen in ordinary shirts or outfits. In other parts of the country where temperature is relatively low and little or no sunshine is experienced, people tend to put on pullovers and jackets in folds throughout the year. Shelter Even though trade among nations has changed the way we build, many people use the building materials that are available in their local area to build their houses. A good example are farmers who put up buildings of forest trees in the forest zone on the other hand people in the savanna zone use less trees in their buildings. Type of local work Education has not been able to change the traditional (local work) jobs in Ghana. For instance, people in Ghana situated along the rivers, lagoons, seas turn out to be fishermen whereas those with fertile land engage in farming, craftsmen also engage in craft work in the forest zones of the country. Type of energy The main source of Ghana’s energy is from the Volta River and the Akosombo Dam. Anytime the volume of water in the Volta River is reduced, the supply of electricity in Ghana is reduced accordingly (load shedding). An increase in the volume of water of Volta increases the supply of power. Environmental Degradation Environmental Degradation To degrade the environment means to make the environment unsafe for human beings and other living things. Environmental degradation refers to the gradual process by which the natural state and the quality of the atmosphere, land and water bodies (natural environment) are destroyed. Important Facts: Environmental Degradation is among the Top 10 list of high level threats faced by the planet according to the United Nations. It can also be caused by natural events such as Earthquakes, Heavy Rainfall and Volcanic eruptions. (these causes are less serious than human activity) Industrial Revolution is one major cause that has led to increased Environmental Degradation.