Unit 1 Natural and Human Systems We Live in a World of Systems

Transcription

1 Unit 1 Natural and Human Systems We Live in a World of Systems

2 The Big Ideas

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4 Systems The interaction of natural and human systems on the Earth shapes the environment in which you live. Natural system a system found in nature. Natural systems include: water cycle weather and climate systems water drainage systems energy cycles

5 These are systems that occur in nature, and together, they form: ecosystems a community of plants and animals that interact with one another and with their physical environment. The physical environment includes the land, climate, soils, water, and nutrients that support living things.

6 Human systems - systems created by people Human systems include: human settlements transportation systems (highway, railway, and airline routes) communication systems ( telephone networks) information systems (Internet) economic systems (manufacturing) energy systems (electricity) infrastructure systems (bridges)

7 Systems: Dynamic and Synergetic They are dynamic - continually changing. While natural systems generally evolve very slowly over thousands or millions of years, human systems change much more quickly. It is hard to study one system without also examining others because systems and their components are dependent on one another.(synergy)

8 Earth s Natural Systems

9 The Atmosphere Atmosphere - a thin layer of gases that surrounds the Earth. Consists mainly of nitrogen and oxygen. Includes small amounts of water vapour, carbon dioxide, and ozone. The atmosphere protects you from the sun s intense energy and distributes heat around the planet.

10 The Lithosphere Lithosphere - includes the Earth s crust and the uppermost part of the underlying mantle consisting of rocks, minerals, and soil. Thickness from km Is broken into a number of pieces called crustal plates. These pieces move around very slowly on the underlying mantle in the process of plate tectonics. This movement can cause earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

11 The Hydrosphere Hydrosphere - all the water and moisture on the Earth in all its forms. Oceans/lakes/rivers/glaciers/ swamps/water vapour/ water in plants and animals 97% salt water/3% fresh water Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth s surface - the blue planet.

12 The Biosphere Biosphere - the layer of the Earth in which life evolves. It supports all living things. Since living things are found almost everywhere, the whole planet and all its spheres together are often referred to as the biosphere.

13 3 Point Approach

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15 Characteristics of Natural Systems

16 Natural Systems Work in Cycles a look at the Water Cycle.

17 Needs and Wants Use the Sheet Provided to create a list of five needs and five wants. Indicate how you meet each need and want, and which system(s) is used to satisfy each. Then, rank each list of needs and wants, from least (5) to greatest (1)

18 Human Systems People depend on natural systems: o We use technology to harvest natural resources and create lifestyles that are different from one place to another. o We can manipulate our environment. For example: clear forests to build farms create chemicals to control pests build transportation routes to make connections between places build dams to reduce flooding and create hydroelectric power

19 Examples of Human Systems Whenever you go shopping you are interacting with Canada s economic system and transportation system. Transportation systems - the interconnecting networks, such as road and rail lines, that move people and goods. Economic systems - integrated activities, such as manufacturing and transportation, that produce and deliver goods and services.

20 Characteristics of Human Systems

21 Infrastructure the structures or networks of basic services needed for the functioning of a community or economy. Infrastructure How does water, electricity, and telephone service get to your house? Vital services supply us with, heat, roads, bridges and waste removal.

22 Media Watch Activity Water Crisis - Page 62 answer the following 1. Write one sentence that summarizes the current situation with Newfoundland and Labrador s water infrastructure. 2. Make predictions about how you think the issues highlighted in the article will be resolved. 3. What actions can you take to help ensure your local water supply is safe and secure?

23 Activity Create a two-column chart. In the first column, list the main economic activities that are found in the community in which you live. In the second column, describe how these activities depend on nature. Economic activities Fishing Natural Systems Dependence Atmospheric weather conditions, Wind, Snow etc.. Lack of Biosphere No Fish

24 Interaction of Systems Humans depend on nature for their needs, and they cannot help but change the natural environment as they use its resources. What are the consequences negative and positive, intended or not of these actions? Water pollution, smog, pesticide use, garbage dumps, and toxic chemicals are just some of the issues. Human activities like burning fossil fuels to run cars, trucks, factories, and power plants, as well as to heat buildings, have started to change the makeup of gases in the atmosphere. Your town council has decided to build a new golf course in your town. What are the positive, negative and unintended consequences of this decision?

25 Determine Significance The Government of NL has decided to make a road that goes from Little Burnt Bay to Norris Arm. What are the positive, negative and unintended consequences of this decision? Use the chart (page 132 CG)provided to determine the magnitude, duration and scope of this proposed change.

26 Interactions Read the poem by Kevin Graal page 66. Outline the human systems that are either directly or indirectly referred to in the poem. Identify which of these systems could be considered part of the infrastructure of your community. Make a list of all the pollutants in the final verse of the poem. Research one of the pollutants to find the following information: common source(s) of the pollutant its uses in society possible harmful effects to people and wildlife an alternative to its use ways that you or others could reduce the impact of this pollutant on the water supply