ENVS 2060 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Hockey Puck, Unit, Hydrosphere
26 Jul 2020
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Document Summary
Natural environment is driven by flows of energy (sun promoting plant growth), cycling of nutrients, cycling of water. Basic cycles of nature are affected by how we manage soil. Soil has been used for food/fibre production, shelters, and modern infrastructure. Solar energy = driving force in ecosystem. Provides energy for plant growth (photosynthesis): energy is collected and stored in plant. Energy trapped through photosynthesis enters human food chain. Plants take water from soil and release what they do not need into the atmosphere. Moisture storage in soil is central to plant growth/water cycle. Plants collect nutrients from soil that are essential for growth. Soil provinces physical support to anchor roots. Competition for land (soil) for human use is every increasing. Agriculture is canada is a billion dollar industry and relies on soil. Can also be used as a social resource. Soil occurs at interface of earth"s lithosphere (rocks/geology), hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere (plants/animals)
