What is environment and its components

ENVIRONMENT

Literally meaning of environment is the surrounding, an organism, a community or an object. In other words, we can say environment is the air, water and land in or on which we people, animals, plants and other organism live. Our Earth is only the planet where life exists.

What is environment and its components

COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT

It is a combination of natural and human made phenomena. While the natural refers to both biotic and abiotic components existing on the earth, human environment reveals, the activities creation and interactions among human beings. The environment is the surroundings of an organism, a community or an object. But, environment is not uniform all over the world. It varies from place to place.

WHAT IS PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT?

The physical environment is prevailing natural conditions comprising the land, water and air. The land may consists of mountains, plains, valleys and plateaus. The water bodies range from small ponds to vast oceans including lakes and rivers. The air consists of various gases like nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide etc. water vapour and solid particulates. Biological environment includes humans, animals, plants and other organisms. These two components of physical and biological environment are interdependent. They cannot be separated altogether. A change in physical or natural environment brings change in the biological environment.

ENVIRONMENT BROADLY BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR SPHERES. 

THE LITHOSPHERE.

It is the layer of the EARTH consisting of rocks extending both over the continents and ocean basins. The average thickness of the lithosphere is about 100km. It composed of rocks rich in silica and aluminum, called SIAL layer, found over the continents. In the ocean basins, the rocks are mainly rich in silica and magnesium, called SIMA. The lithosphere is the sphere which provides us land to settle, soils for plants and is a source of mineral-wealth.

THE ATMOSPHERE

It is the thin layer of air that envelops our earth. It is very dynamic in nature, changes takes place every hours. These changes in the atmosphere produces weather which affects us both directly and in directly. The atmosphere is not uniform all through its width. The force of gravity exerted by the earth holds that atmosphere around it. The atmosphere protects us from scorching heat and harmful ultraviolet radiation.

THE HYDROSPHERE

It is the part of the earth’s surface, covered by the water. Rivers, Lakes, Seas and oceans form this sphere. More than 70% of the earth’s surface is covered with water. Water supports all forms of life on earth and is very crucial for our survival. Oceans provide us with variety of food and minerals. Even in the seabed, deposits of mineral, oil and gas are found.

THE BIOSPHERE

It is a very narrow sphere of the earth which contains life. This sphere includes part of atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. Most of the living organisms be it plants or animals on the earth, are found on or near the surface of land or water surrounded by air.

MORE TO KNOW

World Environment Day: - June 5^th

World Population Day: - July 11^th

World Ozone Day: - September 16^th

World Forestry Day: - March 21^st

Earth Day:- April 7^th

World Wild Life Day: - October 4^th

International Day For Biological Diversity: - May 22<sup>nd

DEVELOPED AND DESIGNED BY THE TEAM   "THE KNOWLEDGE RACE"</sup>