Types of Environment (2024)

The environment is our immediate surroundings, which include both living and non-living elements. It can refer to the social, natural, or constructed environment. The environment has a significant influence on a person’s behaviour and cognition. Any change in a living entity is tied to a change in his immediate surroundings, whether directly or indirectly.

Environment

The term environmentrefers to everything that surrounds us, includingliving and non-living objects like soil, water,plants, and animalsthat adapt to their environments. It is a gift from nature that aids in the nourishment of life on the planet.

The environment plays a critical role in the survival of life on our planet. Environmentis derived from the French word “environment,” which means “environment.” A Biosphere’s basis is an ecosystem, which has an impact on the health of the entire planet Earth. All living and non-living things in the environment are included.

Types of Environment

The environment is divided into two parts which are as follows;

1. Geographical Environment
2. Man-Made Environment

Geographical Environment

Geographical environment refers to the terrestrial environment, which is made up of a variety of natural and environmental factors. It is the complement of direct interaction involving nature and human society, even though it developed independently of people. The geographical environment involves geology,the sciencesof climatology, and biogeography. They are outward representations of human society’s perceptions of the earth’s landscape.

Because it interacts with nature, a geographical environment is often considered a natural environment. The natural environment includes the earth’s surface, mountains, rivers, oceans, deserts, land, water, volcanoes, and so on.

Man-Made Environment

Because man is unable to live in his natural habitat, he creates some environmental circ*mstances to compensate. A man-made or human-made environmentwas created by humans. A social environment is considered a man-made environment.

There are two types of man-made environments which is as given below;

1. Inner Environment
2. Outer Environment

Inner Environment

The inner environment is a social environment that endures for as long as a civilization does. It has to do with rules, traditions, organisations, and institutions. It includes customs and folkways that can be found in any human community. Non-material culture, social heritage, and other terms are used to describe it. This legacy is necessary for human social life to thrive, and it is recognised to have an impact on an individual’s life. The artificial environment, which is a modified form of the economic and physical environment, is considered two distinct components of the man-made environment.

Outer Environment

Humans have tried to alter the parameters of their physical environment through advancements in science and technology. This outer environment is the result of these changes, which include modern infrastructure in cities, our homes and associated amenities, our modes of communication and transportation, our resorts to conveniences and luxury, various types of electrical appliances,industry manufacturing luxurious commodities, and so on, all of which ultimately aim at civilization and urbanisation.

The inner and outer environments are inextricably linked and so inseparable.

Importance of Environment

The environment has a significant impact on human health and the continuation of life on the planet. Earth is home to a variety of living species, and we are all reliant on it for food, water,air, and other necessities. As a result, it is critical for each of us to save as well asprotect our environment.

Impact of Human Activities on the Environment

Acid rain, acidification of seas, climate change, deforestation, ozone layer depletion, hazardous waste dumping, global warming, overpopulation, pollution, and so on are all examples of human activities that are directly linked to environmental calamities.

Components of Environment

The atmosphere or air, lithosphere, or rocks and soil, hydrosphere, or water, and the biological component of the environment, or biosphere, are the four basic components ofthe environment.

Biotic Components

Biotic componentsare the living aspects of the environment, which include the association of many interconnected populations belonging to various species that share a shared environment. The populations under question are those of the animal, plant, and microbial communities. Biotic componentsare the living components of the ecosystem, which include the affiliation of many interconnected populations belonging to various species that share a shared environment.

Abiotic Components

Abiotic components are non-living components. The most essential determinant of where and how well an organism lives in the environment is abiotic components. Even though various factors interact, one single component might limit an organism’s range, acting as a limiting factor.

Conclusion

The environment refers to our immediate surroundings, which encompass both biotic and abiotic influences. We live in a setting, which could be natural, social, or constructed. These are the environments where humans, animals and plants exist. Because the environment influences an individual’s behaviour, every individual who exists in it has an impact on it. As a result, people and the environment are interconnected and mutually beneficial. The existence of the environment is important since, without it, not just human life but all living things would perish. It contributes to natural beauty, maintains life’s equilibrium, sustains the food chain, and benefits people and their different activities.

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