Transcript Environmental Change

THE CHANGING
ENVIRONMENT
Change is Natural
It can be Physical or Chemical
Change can occur instantly or gradually i.e. lightning,
weathering
Frames of Reference used to Describe Change
Time – “The rain will end later tonight.”
Space – “Today it will be cloudy in the Northeast.”
Rate of Change
How quickly or slowly is the change occuring?
Rate = amount of change
time
GRAPHING CHANGE
 X-axis is for the independent or known data.
 Y-axis is for the dependent or unknown data.
 Extrapolate – to extend a graph beyond its
range of data to make a prediction.
 Interpreting Graphs
 Direct Relationship – both axis increase together.
 Interpreting Graphs (continued)
 Inverse Relationships – one axis increases
while the other decreases.
 No Relationship – one axis changes while
the other remains the same.
Graphing Change (cont.)
 Cyclic Change – A series of events that
repeat at a regular interval.
 Most change in nature is cyclic.




Phases of the Moon
Tides
Day & Night
Seasons
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
 Dynamic Equilibrium
 A situation when change occurs, but it is in balance
(overall conditions remain the same).
 The environment is normally in Dynamic Equilibrium
 It can be altered in small amounts with little impact.
 Wolves inc.
Deer & mice dec.
 Weathering & erosion inc.
decrease in elevation
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
 When the dynamic equilibrium (balance)
is upset.





Logging without replanting.
Strip mining without land restoring.
Hurricanes
Volcanic eruptions
Earthquakes
POLLUTION
 When a substance or form of energy begins to
adversely affect people, their property, or plant
or animal.
 NATURAL POLLUTANTS




Forest fires
Volcanic ash
Pollen
Sunlight
 MAN MADE POLLUTANTS
 Carbon emissions or Greenhouse gases
 Noise