Rights statement: http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/ir/rights.shtml ... open environmental system with inputs of energy, materials, and human activity, and outputs of ...
Note to readers: This chapter, taken from The Physical Environment: A New Zealand Perspective, edited by Andrew Sturman and Rachel Spronken‐Smith, South Melbourne, Vic. ; Auckland [N.Z.] : Oxford University Press, 2001, has been reproduced with the kind permission of Oxford University Press (OUP). OUP maintain copyright over the typography used in this publication. Authors retain copyright in respect to their contributions to this volume. Rights statement: http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/ir/rights.shtml
The Physical Environment
A New Zealand Perspective Edited by
Andrew Sturman and Rachel Spronken-Sm ith
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
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First published 2001 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means , without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press. Within New Zealand, exceptions are allowed in respect of any fair dealing for the purpose of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1994, or in the case of repro graphic reproduction in accordance with the terms of the licences issued by Copyright Licensing Limited. Enquiries concerning reproduction ou tside these term s and in other countries should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above . ISBN 0 19 558395 7 Edited by Richard King Indexed by Russell Brooks Cover and text designed by Derrick I Stone Design Typeset by Derrick I Stone Design Printed through Bookpac Production Services, Singapore
The physical environment-a systems approach The physical environment is the set of physica l and biological conditions that surround human beings at the Earth's surface. This book is broadly based on a systems approach to the physical environment. A system may be defined as 'a structured set of components of variables (i .e. phenomena that are free to ass ume variable magnitudes) that exhibit discernible relationships with one another and operate together as a complex whole, according to some observed pattern' (Chorley & Kennedy 1971). The Earth can be viewed as a system since virtually no part of the system operates in isolation from another, and thus changes in one part of the Earth system can affect other parts. A systems approach provides a rational set of procedures for subdividing the physical environment into subsystems, or units that demonstrate strong internal connections. For example, the physical env ironment cons ists of four main subsystemsthe atmospheric environment (or atmosphere), the hydrological environment (or hydrosphere), the geomorphic environment (part of which is often referred to as the lithosphere), and biological environment (or biosphere)-and the relationships between them (Figure 1.1). As Figure 1.1 shows, the subsystems interact within an open environmental system with inputs of energy, materials, and human activ ity, and outputs of specific environmental impacts.
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