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IN ITS simplest sense, the term ‘environment’ refers to what is around you; it is everything that makes up our surroundings and has living and non-living elements. From the air we breathe and water we drink, to the plants and animals around us, everything in the environment is connected. When we consider the environment, we also look at the interactions between the various elements. The living part of the environment is known as the biotic environment. Plants and animals, and even fungi and bacteria are all part of the biotic environment. The non-living part of the environment is known as the abiotic environment. Non-living elements of the environment include environmental factors such as temperature, rain, cloud cover, air, and sunlight.
In any given area, there are interactions between the biotic and abiotic elements of the environment. This interaction between the living organisms and its physical environment, within a particular area is known as an ecosystem. In an ecosystem, all elements are interconnected. The different elements of an ecosystem rely on and are affected by each other. The organisms that are present within the ecosystem are all affected by the physical elements such as temperature, air, water/moisture and sunlight. Organisms survive under a certain balance of these conditions, and while a shift in either of these might affect just one element of the ecosystem, it would also prove harmful to the other organisms that exist in that particular ecosystem. For example, trees need water and sunlight to grow. In turn, a caterpillar would feed on the leaves of the tree. This caterpillar can then be eaten by a bird. If there is a reduction in the availability of water, it would affect the growth of trees, which would mean that less food is available for caterpillars, which would cause a decline in their population, and this trend would continue down the food chain.
Humans are a part of the environment. Moreover, we depend largely on the environment for our survival. We need land to build on and grow crops; to build our houses, we need wood, which comes from trees; we need water to maintain proper hygiene, carry out domestic chores, among other uses and fresh air is an essential requirement when it comes to living healthy lives.
We also benefit from the environment in ways we are not able to see but are nonetheless very important. These include:
• Regulating services: The benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, e.g., the regulation of water, and some human diseases, carbon sequestration, erosion control, and pollination.
• Cultural services: The non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, and aesthetic experience, e.g., recreation, ecotourism, and educational and spiritual values.
• Supporting services: Ecosystem services that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services. Some examples include nutrient cycling, biomass production, production of atmospheric oxygen, soil formation and retention, water cycling, and provisioning of habitat.
Impact of changing factors
Since all elements of an ecosystem are connected, if only a single factor is changed, perhaps by pollution or natural phenomena, the whole system could be altered. For example, humans can alter environments through farming by adding more nutrients to the soil. While activities may be taking place in one area, this doesn’t mean that the effects will be isolated. For example, acid rain in certain regions has resulted in the decline of fish populations.
It is therefore important for us to take care of the environment, because it means clean air to breathe and fresh water to drink. Remember that the environment is important no matter where you go. Having a healthy environment to live in helps not only humans, but everything in your surroundings to be healthy.
In any given area, there are interactions between the biotic and abiotic elements of the environment. This interaction between the living organisms and its physical environment, within a particular area is known as an ecosystem. In an ecosystem, all elements are interconnected. The different elements of an ecosystem rely on and are affected by each other. The organisms that are present within the ecosystem are all affected by the physical elements such as temperature, air, water/moisture and sunlight. Organisms survive under a certain balance of these conditions, and while a shift in either of these might affect just one element of the ecosystem, it would also prove harmful to the other organisms that exist in that particular ecosystem. For example, trees need water and sunlight to grow. In turn, a caterpillar would feed on the leaves of the tree. This caterpillar can then be eaten by a bird. If there is a reduction in the availability of water, it would affect the growth of trees, which would mean that less food is available for caterpillars, which would cause a decline in their population, and this trend would continue down the food chain.
Humans are a part of the environment. Moreover, we depend largely on the environment for our survival. We need land to build on and grow crops; to build our houses, we need wood, which comes from trees; we need water to maintain proper hygiene, carry out domestic chores, among other uses and fresh air is an essential requirement when it comes to living healthy lives.
We also benefit from the environment in ways we are not able to see but are nonetheless very important. These include:
• Regulating services: The benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, e.g., the regulation of water, and some human diseases, carbon sequestration, erosion control, and pollination.
• Cultural services: The non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, and aesthetic experience, e.g., recreation, ecotourism, and educational and spiritual values.
• Supporting services: Ecosystem services that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services. Some examples include nutrient cycling, biomass production, production of atmospheric oxygen, soil formation and retention, water cycling, and provisioning of habitat.
Impact of changing factors
Since all elements of an ecosystem are connected, if only a single factor is changed, perhaps by pollution or natural phenomena, the whole system could be altered. For example, humans can alter environments through farming by adding more nutrients to the soil. While activities may be taking place in one area, this doesn’t mean that the effects will be isolated. For example, acid rain in certain regions has resulted in the decline of fish populations.
It is therefore important for us to take care of the environment, because it means clean air to breathe and fresh water to drink. Remember that the environment is important no matter where you go. Having a healthy environment to live in helps not only humans, but everything in your surroundings to be healthy.
Kids Activity: Nature Matchbox
Try this with your friends.
You will need:
A matchbox for each child
Playing the game:
Each child will fill their matchbox with as many different natural objects as possible. The person with the most different objects wins!
You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.
