NEET UG » NEET UG Study Material » Biology » Types of Environment

Types of Environment

In this article, we will discuss the environment, types of environment, different factors, and more.

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 environment refers to everything that surrounds us, including living and non-living objects like soil, water, plants, and animals that 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. Environment is 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 sciences of 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 circumstances to compensate. A man-made or human-made environment was 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 as protect 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 of the environment.

Biotic Components

Biotic components are 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 components are 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.

Also see:

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET UG Examination Preparation.

How does the geographical environment differ from the man-made environment?

Ans. The term “man-made environment” refers to the environment that has been created by humans to contro...Read full

What is the environment?

Ans. The environment offers everything that living beings require to survive, like soil nutrients, water, and sunlig...Read full

What are biotic components?

Ans. The living species that make up an ecosystem are referred to as biotic components. Animals, plants, and microor...Read full

What is the outer environment?

Ans. The outer environment is defined as the physical environment that man has constructed on his own via the advan...Read full