1.1 Natural Systems

What happens when systems interact?

Determine the significance of interactions between

natural systems and human systems

TERMS

System

Ecosystem

Human System

Natural System

Systems Approach

Dynamic systems

Synergy

Atmosphere

Lithosphere

Hydrosphere

Biosphere

Cryosphere

Plate tectonics

Energy

Photons

Photosynthesis

Ultraviolet radiation

Economics

Infrastructure

Journey into the World of Systems

A complex set of dynamic systems makes up our

world.

People depend on natural systems for survival

Natural systems influence people’s activities

Human activities have an impact on natural systems

Each region in Canada has a unique combination

of natural and human systems.

Journey into the World of Systems

What are Systems ?

A system is made up of different parts that connect to form a whole.

Why is it important to know about systems and how they operate?

The interaction of systems on earth shapes the environment in which we live.

THEY CAN BE BROKEN INTO 2 CATEGORIES:

NATURAL SYSTYEMS

HUMAN SYSTEMS

Natural System Pg 48

Systems that occur in nature

Circulation of water in the ocean

Weather and climate

Water drainage

Energy cycles

These systems work together to form the ECOSYSTEMS

Ecosystem is a community of plants and animals that interact with one another and with their physical environment (land, climate, soil, water and nutrients).

Human System

System that are created by humans include:

Human settlements

Transportation routes

Communication systems

Economics

Infrastructure

Energy

The Systems Approach

Used by geographers to study both natural and

human systems

Used to helps us make better decisions as we work

to create safer and healthier environments.

Can help us to protect natural systems and to use

resources so they last into the future.

Complex Web of Systems

A complex set of Dynamic systems make up our

world.

Dynamic---continually changing.

May take millions of years for the change(oil formation)

May only take a few minutes for the change (car burning

gas)

In what ways can a change in one natural system

influence that system? Influence another natural

system?

Greater than the Sum of its Parts

Synergy

The whole system is greater than the sum of it parts

WATER (2 parts hydrogen/1 part oxygen

CAR (engine, tires, brakes)

Earth’s Natural Sytems

Earth is made up of 4 spheres that are

interconnected:

Atmosphere

Lithosphere

Hydrosphere

Biosphere

Assign Worksheet

Atmosphere

is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that

is retained by Earth's gravity.

It protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet

solar radiation, warming the surface through heat

retention (greenhouse effect), and reducing

temperature extremes between day and night. Limb view, of the Earth's atmosphere. Colours roughly

denote the layers of the atmosphere.

Atmosphere

Consists mainly of nitrogen and oxygen but also

traces of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane,

nitrous oxide, and ozone. Blue light is scattered more than other wavelengths by the gases

in the atmosphere, giving the Earth a blue halo when seen from

space

Lithosphere

contains :

all of the cold, hard solid land of the planet's crust

(surface),

the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and the liquid

land near the center of the planet.

Lithosphere

*The surface of the lithosphere is very uneven (see image

below).

There are high mountain ranges like the Rockies and

Andes (shown in red),

huge plains or flat areas like those in Texas, Iowa, and

Brazil (shown in green),

and deep valleys along the ocean floor (shown in blue).

CRUSTAL PLATES: pieces of the lithosphere

PLATE TECTONICS: slow movement of theses plates on the underlying mantle.

This movement causes mountain-building, volcanoes and earthquakes.

More on

this later!

Hydrosphere

contains all the solid, liquid, and gaseous water of

the planet.

Fresh

Salty (Ninety-seven percent)

Frozen

Covers 70% of the Earth’s surface

Hydrosphere

Some scientists place frozen water--glaciers,

icecaps, and icebergs--in its own sphere called the

"cryosphere”.

Biosphere

contains all the planet's living things.

This sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants,

and animals of Earth.

Within the biosphere, living things form ecological

communities based on the physical surroundings of an

area.

These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts,

grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that

exist within the biosphere.

Energy

The fuel of LIFE

Most of the Earth's energy comes from the Sun.

The rest of it comes from deep inside the Earth

Go to http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov;

The geography of life: Natural Systems

Without nature’s system.....no life on Earth (pg 54-56)

The atmosphere regulates temperature on Earth

This makes water available to living things in liquid

form

Discuss the Hydrologic Cycle...do activity

Water is a chemical substance that is essential to all

known forms of life.

It covers 70% of Earth's surface.

Water:

Most of us take water for granted.

Flush toilets, run sinks, water yards. Etc

Dripping faucets waste 10 % of water piped into our

homes.

Many drier areas of the world treat water as if it is

gold.

Water: We need water to live

2/3 of our body is water

Crops and livestock require water

Average Canadian uses 300 liters of water per day

Add production/manufacturing it is 4000 liters

Average daily residential water use per capita (litresper person):

United States - 425L

Canada - 326L

Italy - 250L

Sweden - 200L

France - 150L

Israel - 135L

W a t e r P o l l u t i o n

3 main types of water pollution:

Biological Pollution

Physical Pollution

Chemical Pollution

Biological Pollution

Bacteria and algae that enter lakes and rivers.

Sewage from cities and towns are the largest

source.

Solved by Reducing sewage from entering water

supplies (sewage treatment plants)

Physical Pollution

Least harmful but most obvious.

Floating garbage, paper, tin cans etc.

These are easily seen and clean-up and prevention

is relative simple.

Chemical Pollution

Most Dangerous

Dumping of poisonous chemicals into rivers and

lakes

Chemical Pollution

Clean-Up there are 2 problems

Not able to completely stop chemicals from reaching

water supplies

Do not have the technology to clean-up chemicals once

they are in the water.

Decay Cycle

One animals waste is another Animal’s dinner.

Food Web

Decomposers

Producers

Consumers

Decay Cycle

There is no waste in natural systems

Creatures such as fungi and bacteria act as Decomposers:

They eat and recycle nature’s waste materials

As leaves fall to the ground, decomposers break them down down and they decay.

The remaining nutrients enrich the soil and help fallen seeds begin to grow (Germinate) on the forest floor

This leads to the growth of more trees, which eventually leads to more fallen leaves

The cycle continues…

Characteristics of Natural Systems

They are driven by energy from the sun

Support all living things, including humans

Are connected to one another in a complex network of relationships

Decompose and recycle all wastes

Can be affected by natural events and human influences

Are not well understood by humans

Operate on very long timelines, from hundreds to millions of years

Operate in all four of the earth’s spheres

Display synergy

Natural Systems

Do questions #3 on pg 57

Complete the following:

Given a natural disaster such as

Earthquake, hurricane, flood or drought)

Explain the immediate and long term consequences

it would have on two natural systems in your area.