09 May How is an environmental system defined?
Environmental system as a system where life interacts with the various abiotic components found in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Environmental systems also involve the capture, movement, storage, and use of energy.
A system is a network of relationships among parts, elements, or components that interact with and influence one another through the exchange of energy, matter, or information.
Systems receive inputs of energy, matter, or information; process these inputs; and produce outputs of energy, matter, or information.
Earth’s environment consists of complex, interlinked systems. Earth’s systems include the complex webs of relationships among species and the interactions of living organisms with the non-living objects around them. Earth’s systems also include cycles that shape landscapes and guide the flow of chemical elements and compounds that support life and regulate climate.
The surface of the Earth as we see it today is the result of millions of years of gradual change and of past catastrophes. The long-term dynamics of natural systems provide the context for evaluating changes wrought by people over recent times, while also acknowledging and evaluating potentially long history of people shaping and interacting with environments through time.
Read about The major environmental systems here.
No Comments