environment

Ecologa

2022

We explain what the environment is and what elements make it up. In addition, the causes of its contamination and how to protect it.

The environment is made up of biotic and abiotic factors.

What is the environment?

The environment is the space in which the life of the organisms and that allows their interaction. It is made up of living beings (biotic factors), by elements without life (abiotic factors) and by artificial elements created by man.

When we speak of biotic factors, we refer to all living beings that live in an environment (microscopic bacteria, mushrooms, the flora, fauna, the Humans) and the interactions between them; For their part, abiotic factors are those that lack life but determine the physical space of the environment (such as air, the I usually and the Water) and are essential for the subsistence of living organisms.

Artificial elements include all those created by man, such as urbanization, the culture, the traditions. The sum of these natural, cultural and social values ​​in a historical moment and in a particular place constitute the environment.

Importance of the environment

All organisms obtain from the environment all the elements they need to live: from air and water, to shelter and shelter. food that allows them to grow, develop and obtain Energy. Maintaining the balance of the environment is essential to maintain life in the Earth as we know it.

In addition, human beings use a large amount of natural resources from the environment to meet their needs such as clothing, food and everyday objects, among other examples. For this reason, human beings must know and take care of their interactions with the environment to sustainably manage the natural resources that allow their economic growth and developing.

The fauna and flora are of vital importance for the environment since they have an interdependence that allows the balance of the species and the development of biodiversity.

The survival of man depends to a large extent on the interactions and conscious use of flora, fauna and natural resources, as well as the development of the social relationships, political and economic that are part of their environment.

When human beings take care of abiotic factors (for example, the rivers of a region) and biotic factors (such as trees in a Forest) maintains and preserves the future of its species, the future of other organisms and that of future generations.

Environmental characteristics

The natural resources exploited by humans are part of the environment.
  • The environment must be cared for and protected for the development of current and future species. It is studied by the ecology what is the branch of the biology that studies living beings and their interaction with their environment.
  • The different ecosystems are formed by the set of species in a given area and their interactions with each other and with their environment. The species that are part of an ecosystem depend on each other. Thus, the relationships that are established between them and their environment allow the flow of energy and matter within the ecosystem.
  • Afforestation is a key element in the balance of the environment, since trees fulfill vital functions for most fauna and human beings (for example, they are the main producers of oxygen in the terrestrial ecosystems).
  • Natural resources are part of the environment: they are all the material or energy elements that exist naturally (that is, they are available without the intervention of man) and are used by humans to meet their basic needs and for their development economic and social.
  • The natural environment is made up of all living things, both plants and animals; and abiotic factors: lifeless organisms (water, air, soils, rocks) fundamental for the life of living organisms.
  • In the environments intervened by human beings, social, economic and political aspects are also included.

Transformation of the environment

Over the years, the species of plants and animals have evolved and adapted to the different ecosystems. The acquisition of characteristics that gave them tolerance to resist in a certain environment has made some species have lasted throughout the weather, while others that have not been able to adapt have become extinct.

Many of the transformations in the environment occur naturally and do not depend on the human being, for example, the changes in the ecosystem that can generate eruption of a volcano or a flood.

However, most changes in the environment are caused by human action. Man is the living organism that most intervenes in the environment: he not only creates the artificial environment, but also explores, modifies and uses the resources of the natural environment for his survival and well-being.

Although some of the transformations introduced by man do not have significant negative impacts on the natural environment, many others bring irreversible damage as a result of pollution and destruction of the environment.

Man has been modifying the natural environment through urbanization, the excessive use of natural resources and the industrialization.

Pollution

With the Industrial Revolution, the pollution of the environment began to increase.

Environmental pollution is defined as the presence of chemical, physical or biological agents in the environment that can have harmful effects on the environment. security Y Health of living beings. As the population began to grow and increase technology, the impact of the human being on the natural environment began to be greater and more harmful.

Pollution began to worsen exponentially in the second half of the 18th century from the Industrial Revolution, by exploitation from mineral resources and fossils. In this way, the balance of the environmental system was lost and for many living beings it was even impossible to adapt to these great changes.

The pollution of the environment produced by humans can have different origins and affect different elements and organisms of the natural environment:

  • Destruction of forests. It is produced by the indiscriminate felling of trees that are essential for the survival of living beings. In most cases it occurs due to the expansion of urban areas, the expansion of industries or for activities of cattle raising Y farming.
  • Water contamination. It is produced mainly by industrial and domestic waste dumped into rivers and seas.
  • Exploitation of natural resources. Mega-mining activities, which include the extraction of Petroleum, generate waste and put into risk to ecosystems.
  • Air pollution. Industry and automobiles release gases that contribute to the global warming.
  • Decrease in biodiversity. The impact that air and water pollution produces on the different species of living organisms generates an imbalance in ecosystems, which leads to the extinction of those species that cannot adapt to changes in the environment.
  • Soil contamination. The use of pesticides and residues plastics, nuclear and non-biodegradable produces a degradation of soils.

How to take care of the enviroment?

To avoid the destruction of the environment and the survival of living beings and the human development, it is necessary to take the necessary precautions and actions. First of all, you must make good use of natural resources, not use them indiscriminately, and focus on issues such as climate change and the protection of biodiversity.

To carry out this task of environmental protection, it is important that all actors in society become aware and get involved. It is necessary to demand from state Y rulers that promote the care of the environment and control the actions of the industries, Business and of the community scientific

Also from the home, each individual can take measures against the consumption and production, and also change habits and routines towards more sustainable ones such as:

  • Consciously use water.
  • Do not throw waste on public roads.
  • Reduce the use of plastic wrap.
  • Use a cloth bag for the shopping and thus discourage the use of plastic bags in shops.
  • Maintain urban green spaces in condition.
  • Use public transportation or bicycles instead of cars or buses.
  • Find out about companies that seek to reduce environmental impact in the production of their goods and services, and consume them.
  • Use energy in a conscious way: turn off the lights, avoid keeping appliances plugged in when they are not being used.
  • Separate household waste.
  • Reuse plastic and glass containers.
  • Encourage these actions among friends and family.
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