Week 5 Lecture in Environmental Science PDF

**Terrestrial Environments -- the land-based ecosystem that is characterized by harsh conditions such as limited water, fluctuating temperatures, and obstacles to movement.** - **Forests: - an ecosystem characterized by a dense community of trees** - **Tropical Rainforests:** Located n...

**Terrestrial Environments -- the land-based ecosystem that is characterized by harsh conditions such as limited water, fluctuating temperatures, and obstacles to movement.** - **Forests: - an ecosystem characterized by a dense community of trees** - **Tropical Rainforests:** Located near the equator with high rainfall and biodiversity. Characterized by dense vegetation and a warm, humid climate. - **Temperate Forests:** Found in temperate regions with moderate rainfall and distinct seasons. Deciduous trees that lose their leaves in winter are common. - **Boreal Forests (Taiga):** Located in northern regions with cold climates. Dominated by coniferous trees like pines and firs. - **Grasslands: - area in which the vegetation is dominated by a nearly continuous cover of grasses. Grasslands occur in environments conducive to the growth of this plant cover but not to that of taller plants, particularly trees and shrubs. ** - **Savannas:** Tropical grasslands with scattered trees, found in regions with a distinct wet and dry season. - **Temperate Grasslands (Prairies, Steppes):** Found in temperate zones with moderate rainfall, characterized by grasses and few trees. - **Deserts: - is a landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions create unique biomes and ecosystems. ** - **Hot Deserts:** Found in regions with very low rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation (e.g., Sahara Desert). - **Cold Deserts:** Found in cold regions with low precipitation, such as the Gobi Desert, often covered with snow. - **Tundra: -  the coldest of all the biomes. Tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturi, meaning treeless plain.** - **Arctic Tundra:** Located in polar regions, characterized by cold temperatures, permafrost, and low-growing vegetation like mosses and lichens. - **Alpine Tundra:** Found at high altitudes in mountainous regions, with similar conditions to the Arctic tundra. **2. Aquatic Environments** - Aquatic ecosystems include oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, and wetlands. Within these aquatic ecosystems are living things that depend on the water for survival, such as fish, plants, and microorganisms. These ecosystems are very fragile and can be easily disturbed by pollution. - **Freshwater:** - **Rivers and Streams:** Flowing bodies of freshwater, supporting diverse ecosystems and often crucial for human settlements. - **Lakes and Ponds:** Standing bodies of freshwater, varying in size and depth, supporting aquatic plants and animals. - **Wetlands:** Areas where water covers the soil, either permanently or seasonally. They include marshes, swamps, and bogs and are rich in biodiversity. - **Marine:** - **Oceans:** The largest bodies of saltwater, covering over 70% of the Earth\'s surface, with diverse ecosystems from coral reefs to deep-sea trenches. - **Coastal Areas:** Regions where land meets the ocean, including beaches, estuaries, and mangrove forests, often rich in biodiversity. - **Coral Reefs:** Found in shallow, warm ocean waters, characterized by high biodiversity and complex structures created by coral organisms. **3. Mountain Environments - are home to some of our planet\'s most iconic species. The eastern Himalayas, for instance, is home to red pandas and the higher mountains shelter ** - **Mountain Ranges:** High-altitude environments with varied climates depending on altitude, often supporting unique plant and animal life. They include environments like the Rockies, Himalayas, and Andes. - **Alpine Meadows:** Found at high elevations, characterized by short growing seasons and specialized plant and animal species. **4. Urban Environments - ecosystem of an urban area in which the urban residents interact with biotic and abiotic factors. ** - **Cities and Towns:** Human-dominated environments with buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. Urban areas often have altered climates (urban heat islands) and reduced natural habitats. - **Suburbs:** Transitional areas between urban and rural environments, with a mix of residential areas, green spaces, and human activity. **5. Polar Environments** - **Antarctica:** A frozen desert continent with extreme cold, ice-covered landscapes, and minimal vegetation, home to unique species like penguins. - **Arctic:** The region around the North Pole, including the Arctic Ocean and parts of northern countries. It has cold climates, ice-covered seas, and tundra. **6. Coastal and Marine Environments** - **Mangrove Forests:** Coastal wetlands found in tropical and subtropical regions, characterized by salt-tolerant trees and rich biodiversity. - **Estuaries:** Areas where freshwater from rivers meets saltwater from the ocean, creating nutrient-rich environments that support diverse species. Factors that affect the different types of environments. **1. Climate** - **Temperature:** Determines the types of vegetation and animal life that can thrive in a region. - **Precipitation:** The amount and type of precipitation (rain, snow, etc.) affect water availability, influencing plant growth and ecosystems. - **Humidity:** High or low humidity levels can affect plant and animal life, as well as soil conditions. - **Wind Patterns:** Wind influences temperature, precipitation distribution, and can also shape landscapes (e.g., dunes in deserts). **2. Geography** - **Altitude:** Higher altitudes have cooler temperatures and different air pressure, affecting the types of organisms that can survive. - **Latitude:** Proximity to the equator affects climate, with tropical regions being warmer and polar regions being colder. - **Topography:** The shape of the land, including mountains, valleys, and plains, can influence weather patterns and the flow of water. **3. Soil Composition** - **Nutrient Content:** The availability of nutrients in the soil affects plant growth and, consequently, the animals that depend on those plants. - **pH Levels:** The acidity or alkalinity of soil can determine the types of plants that can grow, impacting the overall ecosystem. - **Soil Texture:** The size of soil particles affects water retention and drainage, which can influence the types of plants that thrive in an area. **4. Water Availability** - **Proximity to Water Bodies:** Areas near rivers, lakes, or oceans typically have more moisture and different temperatures, affecting local ecosystems. - **Groundwater:** The availability of underground water sources influences vegetation and wildlife. - **Seasonal Variations:** Changes in water availability due to seasonal shifts can create distinct wet and dry seasons, affecting the types of plants and animals that can survive. **5. Biological Factors** - **Vegetation:** The types of plants present in an environment can influence the types of animals that can live there, as well as the overall climate (e.g., forests can create microclimates). - **Animal Populations:** Predators, prey, and other animals interact with each other and their environment, shaping ecosystems. - **Human Activity:** Agriculture, urbanization, deforestation, and pollution can drastically alter environments. **6. Human Influence** - **Land Use:** Agriculture, urban development, and deforestation can significantly alter environments. - **Pollution:** Air, water, and soil pollution can degrade environments, affecting both plant and animal life. - **Climate Change:** Human-induced climate change is altering global weather patterns, affecting environments worldwide. **7. Natural Disasters** - **Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis:** These geological events can reshape landscapes and create new environments. - **Floods, Droughts, Hurricanes:** Extreme weather events can temporarily or permanently change environments, impacting ecosystems and human settlements.