Environment: Definition, Types, Components, Functions microbiologystudy

The environment word is derived from the French term “environ” which means surroundings.

Thus, our surroundings refer to our environment, which constitutes the organism, materials, and energies. The environment provides the favorable conditions for living organisms to live and grow. The entire organism wants to survive with a consistent supply of resources and the elimination of waste.

The biotic (living organism) and abiotic (non-living organism) are included in the environment. The climate, the weather, and the natural resources have a direct impact on human existence, and economic activities are included in this environment.

Ecology and environment are directly linked to each other, which primarily focuses on studying organisms and their interaction with the environment. The environment is formed by the natural and human-made processes, which are discussed below: 

Natural Environment

• Biodiversity: The wide range of life on Earth encompassing plants, animals, and microorganisms is known as biodiversity. 
• Ecosystems: Ecosystems are the groups of living things and their interaction with their natural environment.
• Climate Change: The gradual warming of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans due to human induced pollution that makes unpredictable changes in the climates is called climate change. 
• Pollution: The various pollutants that cause environmental degradation and deterioration are called pollution.
• Natural resources: The materials (water, air, soil, minerals, and energy) that exist in nature and are utilized by humans for sustaining their lives are called natural resources. 
• Geological processes: The various natural phenomena (erosion, volcanoes, earthquakes, etc.) that create the Earth’s surface are called geological processes. 

Human Interactions

• Environmental Impact Assessment: A procedure used to analyze how a proposed project or developments might affect the physical, biological, chemical, and socio-economic environment is called environmental impact assessment.
• Sustainable development: The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is called sustainable development. 
• Environmental Policy: The laws, rules, and regulations created to safeguard the environment for the sustainable conservation of the environment is called environmental policy. 
• Environmental Justice: The enforcement of environmental laws, policies, and regulations in order to make equitable sharing of the resources in a sustainable manner is called environmental justice. 
• Conservation and Preservation: The preservation of the ecosystems (species and genetic diversity) and natural resources. 
• Resource Management: The process of managing and utilizing natural resources in a sustainable and equitable manner.

Components of Environment

Based on living and non-living matters, there are two types of environments, as follows:

a. Biotic environment: The living organisms present in the environment is called biotic environment. It includes plants, animals, birds, insects, reptiles, and microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses). 

b. Abiotic environment: The non-living things present in the environment are called abiotic environment. It includes air, clouds, rivers, temperature, humidity, water, and water vapor, etc.

The environment is made up of interaction between various systems, like physical, biological, and cultural components. These components are as follows:

1. Physical Components: A physical component is composed of non-living elements. The main components were the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. These include climate, soils, rocks, minerals, water bodies, landforms, and space. 
2. Biological Components: The biosphere is made up of humans, animals, microbes, and plants.
3. Cultural Components: The man-made functions like political, social, and economic components are the cultural functionality in the environment.

Functions of Environment

Resources supply

1. Natural resources: Environments provide resources for production. The resources include both renewable and non-renewable. For example: firewood, wood for furniture, soil, land, etc.
2. Food production: The environment provides the food production through agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. 
3. Biodiversity: A wide variety of biodiversity can be found in the environment, which offers genetic resources like food and medicine.

Climate regulation

1. Climate stability: Temperature, precipitation, and other various weather patterns are influenced by the Earth’s climate, and that is controlled by the environment. 
2. Carbon cycle: The environment helps to control the Earth’s carbon cycle, which influences climate stability.

Waste management

1. Waste degradation: The natural process like decomposition allows the waste to degrade and helps to secure a clean and healthy environment.
2. Nutrient cycling: The environments recirculate the various nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous, which helps in the development and productivity of plants. The nutrients were recycled by the environments.

Disasters protection

1. Natural protection: Natural disasters like floods, landslides, and storms can be prevented by the environment as a natural protector (as mountains, forests). 
2. Air Quality: Environments have the ability to maintain air quality, which directly influences in the human health and the health of ecosystems.

Cultural and Recreational

1. Aesthetic beauty: The environment provides happiness and inspiration for literature, music, and art.
2. Cultural heritages: Environmental factors are linked to culture and identity.

Promoting Health and Welfare

1. Mental health: Spending time in nature will enhance mental health. 
2. Physical health: Physical exercises in a natural environment enhanced the physical health. 

Conclusion

Hence the environment provides the various services that are essential to human existence and planet’s health. The services provided by the environment should be used in a sustainable manner in order to guarantee the services available for future generations as well. 

References

1. Cunningham, W. P., & Cunningham, M. A. (2015). Environmental science: a global concern. Thirteenth edition. New York, NY, McGraw-Hill Education. 
2. Kte’pi, B. (2024, September 23). Environmental science | Definition & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/environmental-science
3. Miller, G. T. (2016). Environmental Science (15th ed.). Cengage Learning.