1. Unit One – Natural and Human Systems
Canadian Geography 1202
Unit One – Natural and Human Systems

2. What Are Systems?
A system is made up of many parts that connect to form a whole
Is Earth system?

3. Systems Systems are connected into a complex web. Systems are dynamic
Systems have synergy
Dynamic: Continually Changing
Synergy: Whole system is greater than the sum of its parts
How is this system dynamic?
How does this system show synergy?

4. Natural and Human Systems
Natural Systems: Systems that occur in nature.
Ecosystem: Community of plants and animals that interact with each other
Together Natural Systems form the ecosystems that make up our environment
They include
The circulation of water,
Weather and climate
Drainage systems
Energy Cycles
Human Systems: Systems created by people
They include:
Settlements
Transportation systems
Communication systems
Information systems
Hayman Island Resort

5. Characteristics common among All Natural Systems.
Support all living things
Are connected to one another in a complex network of relationships
Decompose and recycle all waste
Operate over very long timelines
Operate in all four of earth’s spheres
Display synergy
Are driven by the sun
Characteristics common among All Natural Systems.

6. Earth’s Four Natural Systems

7. Atmosphere Cause and effect relationship
Atmosphere: Thin layer of mixed gases that make up the are you breathe
Consist of nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide and Ozone
Features
Cause and effect relationship
Protects you from the suns intense energy
Circulates air
Regulates temperature
1.1 identify and describe natural systems

8. Lithosphere Cause and effect relationship
Lithosphere: The earth’s uppermost crust and part of the underlying mantle
Varies in thickness from 2km (under oceans) to 250km (under thick continents)
Main features:
Consists of rock and minerals
Cause and effect relationship
Lithosphere broken into plates
Movement of plates causes plate tectonics
Results in earthquakes volcanoes, and mountains

9. Hydrosphere Cause and effect relationships: Moderates temperature
Hydrosphere: All the water on the Earth’s crust
Main features:
Lakes, rivers, glaciers, swamps, water vapour in the atmosphere
Includes all water stored in organs of plants and animals
Cause and effect relationships:
Moderates temperature
Used for transportation
Essential for life

10. Biosphere Cause and effect relationships:
Biosphere: Layer of the earth where all life evolves
Includes all life in the atmosphere and Hydrosphere
Supports all living things on earth
Main Features:
Cause and effect relationships:
Includes all interactions between plants and animals.

12. Examples of Natural Systems
In the atmosphere air is cycled from warmer areas to cooler areas.
This moderates the temperature.
Without atmospheric circulation it would always be colder in Canada!!

13. Examples of Natural Systems
3. As moisture gathers and cools it condenses
4. Precipitation
The water cycle is a key natural system
5. Water runs off through, lakes, streams, and underground aquifers.
Has a defined beginning and end
2. Evaporation and transpiration sends moisture into the atmosphere
Earth never loses or gains any water
All of our water has been recycled over hundreds of millions of years.
1. Water is stored in the ocean

14. Examples of Natural Systems
In the Hydrosphere ocean currents circulate the water and moisture.
Ocean currents have a dramatic effect on climate.
Warm ocean currents bring moisture
Cool ocean currents are associated
with deserts

15. Examples of Natural Systems
Cold Current
Cold Current
Cold Current
Desert
Desert
Desert

16. Examples of Natural Systems
The Rock Cycle
The rock cycle is how the Lithosphere recycles itself
2. Over time the rock is weathered, eroded away, and deposited
3. As sediment builds up it forms sedimentary rock
1. Volcanoes and cooling magma form igneous rock
4. As sedimentary rock is pulled under it is subjected to heat and pressure forming metamorphic rock
5. Eventually the rock melts and the cycle starts again

17. Examples of Natural Systems
The biosphere is where all living things interact
One of the most simple ways animals interact is in a food chain
The sequence of producer consumer decomposer is also a natural system