Understanding Natural Landscapes and Ecosystems
NATURAL LANDSCAPE
A natural landscape refers to the visible physical characteristics of a place that have not been significantly altered by human activities.
ELEMENTS OR FACTORS OF NATURAL LANDSCAPE
Biotic Factors
Biotic factors encompass the living organisms within an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. These organisms interact with each other and their environment, influencing the ecosystem’s dynamics.
Abiotic Factors
Abiotic factors are the non-living components of an ecosystem, such as temperature, air, soil, water, and sunlight. These factors provide the physical and chemical conditions necessary for life and influence the distribution and abundance of organisms.
FUNCTIONS OF LIVING ORGANISMS
Being Alive
Living organisms are complex systems composed of atoms and molecules organized into intricate structures. They engage in molecular communication and exchange matter and energy with their environment to maintain life. The fundamental functions of life include nutrition, relationships, and reproduction.
Vital Functions (Self-Preservation)
Living organisms have the ability to obtain and transform matter through metabolic processes, enabling growth and other vital functions. Metabolism involves chemical reactions that convert matter and energy into usable forms.
Self-Regulation
Living beings maintain a relatively stable internal environment despite external changes. They regulate their metabolism and respond to environmental stimuli to ensure their survival.
Reproduction
Reproduction is the process by which living organisms produce offspring, ensuring the continuation of their species.
ECOSYSTEMS
- An ecosystem is a complex and dynamic system where plant communities, animals, microorganisms, and their non-living environment interact as a functional unit.
- It is the fundamental unit of the biosphere, representing the interconnectedness of living and non-living components.
- Ecosystems are open systems, meaning they exchange matter and energy with their surroundings.
- They consist of living organisms in a specific location, the physical environment, and the relationships between them.
Ecosystem Functions
- Regulation: Ecosystems regulate ecological processes and life support systems, maintaining a healthy environment with clean air, water, and soil.
- Sustaining: They provide space and resources for human activities.
- Production: Ecosystems offer natural resources, raw materials, food, and energy sources.
- Cultural: They contribute to mental and emotional well-being by providing opportunities for recreation, sports, and relaxation.
COMPONENTS OF AN ECOSYSTEM
- Abiotic Elements: Water, minerals, sunlight, and other non-living factors.
- Producers: Plants that use chlorophyll to convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
- Consumers: Animals that feed on producers or other consumers.
- Decomposers: Fungi and bacteria that break down dead organisms and organic matter, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.
FOOD CHAIN AND FOOD WEB
A food chain is a linear sequence showing the transfer of food energy from producers to consumers. A food web is a more complex network of interconnected food chains, representing the various feeding relationships within an ecosystem.
Trophic Levels
Trophic levels represent the feeding positions in a food chain or web, including producers, consumers, and decomposers.
HABITAT
A habitat is the specific environment where a population or species lives and reproduces. It provides the necessary conditions for survival and perpetuation.
Human Habitat
In human ecology and urban design, the concept of habitat extends to include the material and institutional factors that influence human populations. It encompasses the built environment, social structures, and cultural aspects that shape human settlements.
NATURAL PHENOMENA
Natural phenomena refer to events or processes that occur in the natural world without human intervention. Examples include weather patterns, geological events, and astronomical phenomena.