What Is the Environment?
Environment refers to the entire physical, chemical, biological, and social environment of a system or a person. The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living objects occurring naturally, which means outside of human life. The word is frequently used in philosophy and is usually defined as the entire Earth or at least some aspects of the Earth. There are different terms for the environment in different disciplines. In biology the environment is referred to as the entire biomass of living organisms.
In chemistry, the environment is referred to as the major constituents of a system, the concentration and distribution of which determine the nature of that system. It is used to compare living things in terms of their environment and their potential for modification by cultural conditions. It also compares cultural conditions with the environment, especially in terms of quality and quantity.
Many natural environments are dynamic and subject to change. This is in terms of temperature, precipitation, atmospheric pressure, cloud composition, land elevation, and the like. A given area may experience constant climate or oscillating climate. A given area may experience cold climates or hot climates. All these variables affect the environment of living organisms in the area. It changes with external factors like air circulation, soil fertility, and lighting.
Biotic variables refer to external forces acting on an individual or an environment. They include external temperatures, humidity, wind, precipitation, and other physical factors beyond the control of the humans that occupy the area. Cultural factors refer to external social, economic, and legal considerations acting on the surrounding environment. These considerations can change the physical environment and its relationship with the biotic and the climatic variables.
The environment also refers to the physical aspects of the space occupied by living organisms. For instance, the soil can be categorized as one of the environment and it helps determine the survival of the living organisms present. Natural habitats or physical states are the conditions that support the existence of living organisms. These conditions help to regulate their growth and development. There are different forms of habitats including terrestrial, aquatic, and humid environments.
Abiotic factors act on the environment by altering the physical and chemical conditions in it. They change the conditions necessary for the existence of living organisms, and they also influence the way these organisms live. Examples of abiotic factors include geological features, endoscopic elements, solar radiation, wind, and evaporation. In addition, there are factors that modify the physical properties of the environment and these include interacting with external factors, internal factors, and external and internal factors that modify the environment. External factors such as external temperatures, wind, precipitation, and other natural cycles have varying effects on the biotic and the abiotic factors.