The physical environment encompasses all non-living and naturally occurring or human-modified elements surrounding living organisms. Here are some examples:
-
Land: This includes soil, geological formations, topography (mountains, valleys, plains), and natural resources found within the earth.
-
Air: This includes the atmosphere, weather patterns, air quality, and climate.
-
Water: This includes bodies of water like oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, and precipitation (rain, snow, hail).
-
Plants and Animals (Biota): While technically living organisms, their presence and distribution are integral to the physical environment and impact factors like soil composition, air quality, and water cycles.
-
Buildings and Infrastructure: This encompasses human-made structures such as houses, roads, bridges, dams, factories, and other constructions that alter and interact with the natural environment.
-
Natural Resources: These are materials or substances occurring in nature that can be used for economic gain. Examples include minerals, forests, water, and fertile land.
Therefore, the physical environment consists of all the tangible elements that influence and are influenced by living organisms, shaping ecosystems and human societies alike.
