Natural and Human Systems
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What happens when systems interact?
Determine the significance of interactions between
natural systems and human systems
TERMS
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System
Ecosystem
Human System
Natural System
Systems Approach
Dynamic systems
Synergy
Atmosphere
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
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Biosphere
Cryosphere
Plate tectonics
Energy
Photons
Photosynthesis
Ultraviolet radiation
Economics
Infrastructure
Journey into the World of Systems
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A complex set of dynamic systems makes up our
world.
People depend on natural systems for survival
Natural systems influence people’s activities
Human activities have an impact on natural systems
Each region in Canada has a unique combination
of natural and human systems.
Journey into the World of Systems
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What are Systems ?
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Why is it important to know about systems and how
they operate?
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A system is made up of different parts that connect to form
a whole.
The interaction of systems on earth shapes the environment
in which we live.
THEY CAN BE BROKEN INTO 2 CATEGORIES:
NATURAL SYSTYEMS
 HUMAN SYSTEMS
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Natural System
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Pg 48
Systems that occur in nature
 Circulation
of water in the ocean
 Weather and climate
 Water drainage
 Energy cycles
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These systems work together to form the
ECOSYSTEMS
 Ecosystem
is a community of plants and animals that
interact with one another and with their physical
environment (land, climate, soil, water and nutrients).
Human System
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System that are created by humans include:
Human settlements
 Transportation routes
 Communication systems
 Economics
 Infrastructure
 Energy
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The Systems Approach
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Used by geographers to study both natural and
human systems
Used to helps us make better decisions as we work
to create safer and healthier environments.
Can help us to protect natural systems and to use
resources so they last into the future.
Complex Web of Systems
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A complex set of Dynamic systems make up our
world.
 Dynamic---continually
changing.
 May
take millions of years for the change(oil formation)
 May only take a few minutes for the change (car burning
gas)
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In what ways can a change in one natural system
influence that system? Influence another natural
system?
Greater than the Sum of its Parts
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Synergy
 The
whole system is greater than the sum of it parts
 WATER
(2 parts hydrogen/1 part oxygen
 CAR (engine, tires, brakes)
Earth’s Natural Sytems
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Earth is made up of 4 spheres that are
interconnected:
 Atmosphere
 Lithosphere
 Hydrosphere
 Biosphere
 Assign
Worksheet
Atmosphere
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is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that
is retained by Earth's gravity.
It protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet
solar radiation, warming the surface through heat
retention (greenhouse effect), and reducing
temperature extremes between day and night.
 Limb view, of the Earth's atmosphere. Colours roughly
denote the layers of the atmosphere.
Atmosphere
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Consists mainly of nitrogen and oxygen but also
traces of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, and ozone.
 Blue light is scattered more than other wavelengths by the gases
in the atmosphere, giving the Earth a blue halo when seen from
space
Lithosphere
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contains :
 all
of the cold, hard solid land of the planet's crust
(surface),
 the semi-solid land underneath the crust, and the liquid
land near the center of the planet.
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Lithosphere
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*The surface of the lithosphere is very uneven (see image
below).
 There
are high mountain ranges like the Rockies and
Andes (shown in red),
 huge plains or flat areas like those in Texas, Iowa, and
Brazil (shown in green),
 and deep valleys along the ocean floor (shown in blue).
CRUSTAL PLATES: pieces of the lithosphere
PLATE TECTONICS: slow movement of theses plates on
the underlying mantle.
This movement causes mountain-building, volcanoes and
earthquakes.
More on
this later!
Hydrosphere
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contains all the solid, liquid, and gaseous water of
the planet.
 Fresh
 Salty
(Ninety-seven percent)
 Frozen
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Covers 70% of the Earth’s surface
Hydrosphere
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Some scientists place frozen water--glaciers,
icecaps, and icebergs--in its own sphere called the
"cryosphere”.
Biosphere
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contains all the planet's living things.
 This
sphere includes all of the microorganisms, plants,
and animals of Earth.
 Within the biosphere, living things form ecological
communities based on the physical surroundings of an
area.
 These communities are referred to as biomes. Deserts,
grasslands, and tropical rainforests are three of the many types of biomes that
exist within the biosphere.
Energy
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The fuel of LIFE
Most of the Earth's energy comes from the Sun.
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The rest of it comes from deep inside the Earth
 Activity
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pg 142 quide next slide
Go to http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov;
ACTIVITY
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You will be given an envelope full of pictures
Divide your poster into 4 sections: Atmosphere, Lithosphere,
Hydrosphere and Biosphere
Below each title, Write a brief description of each sphere
Glue the pictures on the appropriate area
Title the poster “Natural Systems of Earth: The Spheres”
Make it neat and tidy and add some personal creativity.
The geography of life: Natural Systems
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Without nature’s system.....no life on Earth (pg 54-56)
 The
atmosphere regulates temperature on Earth
 This makes water available to living things in liquid
form
 Discuss
the Hydrologic Cycle...do activity
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Water is a chemical substance that is essential to all
known forms of life.
It covers 70% of Earth's surface.
Water:
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Most of us take water for granted.
 Flush
toilets, run sinks, water yards. Etc
 Dripping faucets waste 10 % of water piped into our
homes.
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Many drier areas of the world treat water as if it is
gold.
Water:
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We need water to live
 2/3
of our body is water
 Crops and livestock require water
 Average
Canadian uses 300 liters of water per day
 Add production/manufacturing it is 4000 liters
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Average daily residential water use per capita (litres
per person):
United States - 425L
Canada - 326L
Italy - 250L
Sweden - 200L
France - 150L
Israel - 135L
Water
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Pollution
3 main types of water pollution:
 Biological
Pollution
 Physical Pollution
 Chemical Pollution
Biological Pollution
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Bacteria and algae that enter lakes and rivers.
Sewage from cities and towns are the largest
source.
Solved by Reducing sewage from entering water
supplies (sewage treatment plants)
Physical Pollution
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Least harmful but most obvious.
Floating garbage, paper, tin cans etc.
These are easily seen and clean-up and prevention
is relative simple.
Chemical Pollution
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Most Dangerous
Dumping of poisonous chemicals into rivers and
lakes
Chemical Pollution
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Clean-Up there are 2 problems
 Not
able to completely stop chemicals from reaching
water supplies
 Do not have the technology to clean-up chemicals once
they are in the water.
Decay Cycle
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One animals waste is another Animal’s dinner.
 Food
Web
 Decomposers
 Producers
 Consumers
Decay Cycle
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There is no waste in natural systems
Creatures such as fungi and bacteria act as
Decomposers:
 They
 As
eat and recycle nature’s waste materials
leaves fall to the ground, decomposers break them down
down and they decay.
 The remaining nutrients enrich the soil and help fallen seeds
begin to grow (Germinate) on the forest floor
 This leads to the growth of more trees, which eventually
leads to more fallen leaves
 The cycle continues…
Characteristics of Natural Systems
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They are driven by energy from the sun
Support all living things, including humans
Are connected to one another in a complex network of
relationships
Decompose and recycle all wastes
Can be affected by natural events and human influences
Are not well understood by humans
Operate on very long timelines, from hundreds to millions of
years
Operate in all four of the earth’s spheres
Display synergy
Natural Systems
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Do questions #3 on pg 57
Complete the following:
Given a natural disaster such as
 Earthquake,
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hurricane, flood or drought)
Explain the immediate and long term consequences
it would have on two natural systems in your area.
Human Systems (pg 58)
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People depend on natural systems for survival
Human activities have an impact on natural systems
Natural systems influence people’s activities
Human System
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System that are created by humans include:
Human settlements
 Transportation routes
 Communication systems
 Economics
 Infrastructure
 Energy
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Human Systems
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Human systems are developed as a means to fulfill
peoples’ individual and collective needs and wants.
Create a list of personal needs and wants.
 Explain
how you meet those needs and wants.
 Classify your needs and wants into the appropriate
human system.
Activity
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Imagine you and your classmates have been
stranded on a deserted island.
What would be the three most important human
systems you would need to establish in order to survive?
 Why?
 Once completed, rank the human systems in order of
importance and justify your reasoning.
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Transportation & Communication
Systems
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Transportation Systems
 Interconnecting
network of roads, trains, air travel,
shipping and cycling routes.
 Shopping for clothes, music, sports equipment etc. is
all part of our ECONOMIC System as well as our
transportation system.
Transportation & Communication
Systems
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Communication Systems
is a fundamental function of every society. Language,
drawing, and writing have always enabled mankind to
evolve and to pass on knowledge and values.
 Interconnecting network of:
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Phone
 Television
 Radio
 Cell phones
 Internet web pages
 News papers
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Infrastructure: how it all works PG.60
Infrastructure: How it all works
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The basic facilities, services, and installations
needed for the functioning of a community or
society
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such as transportation and communications systems,
water and power lines, and public institutions including
schools, post offices, and prisons
Infrastructure: How it all works
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Water crisis
 Read
Case Study page 62 and do questions page 63
Natural & Human Systems Interact
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Humans depend on nature for their needs
We cannot help but change the natural environment
as we use its resources
What are the negative and positive consequences
of these actions??
Some examples…
 Water pollution, smog, pesticide use, garbage
dumps, toxic chemicals
Chemicals and Pollution
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Human health and environmental health are closely
linked
Example…
Using pesticides on our lawns or pouring paint or
cleaners down the drain all add to the toxic
chemicals found in your water system
Many water treatment plants cannot remove toxic
waste from water
Natural & Human Systems Interact
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Human activities like burning fossil fuels to run cars,
trucks, factories, heat buildings, etc. have started to
change the make up of gases in the atmosphere
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This has lead to changes in our climate systems
 GLOBAL WARMING!!!
How Does it Affect Us?
Weather – day-to-day conditions in the atmosphere
Weather affects us in many ways
How are the following affected by weather???
Canada’s Climate Systems
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Climate is the weather conditions of a particular
region averaged over a long period of time
Climate in Canada varies widely from place to
place and season to season
Use p. 78-79 to complete the following worksheet
on Canada’s Climate Systems
ACTIVITY
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Complete the Interactions worksheet for the
following:
 “Hurricane
Sandy hits New York”