Human-Environment Interaction Adaptation vs Modification Human-Environment Interaction

Warm-up – 9/13/2016 What is the difference between human adaptation and human modification of the environment?

Background Information Human-Environment Interaction comes in many forms… From everyday use of consumer products Political agreements over environment resources Natural hazards These interactions can take the form of human adapting to or modifying their environment

Adaptation vs Modification Adaptation- A change in human behavior to cope with environmental conditions (Example: different clothing due to climate) Modification- Humans have actually changed some part of the physical environment (Example: building a dam) Can you think of some other examples of adaptation and modification?

Adaptation vs modification What is this an example of? What is this an example of? Adaptation vs modification

Adaptation vs Modification To survive people depend on the physical environment They adapt to it and modify it to suit their changing needs for things such as food, clothing, water, shelter and energy In meeting their needs, humans bring knowledge and technology to cope with physical systems.

Physical Environment Humans have altered the balance of nature in ways that have brought economic prosperity to some areas and created environmental dilemmas and crises in others. clearing land for settlement mining agriculture Altering physical systems can transform human populations, wildlife and vegetation.

Agriculture Reshaping the Environment Slash and Burn Terraced Farming Urbanization Push factors- to draw or attract people Pull factors- to cause or force people to leave Tourism recreation

Using Land and Water The Netherlands Dikes- used to direct or prevent the passage of water Polders- land that is reclaimed from the sea by drainage and diking Venice, Italy (transportation by boat, island cities) Deforestation- cutting down and clearing away of trees Desertification- an expansion of dry conditions to moist areas that are next to deserts (farming, over-grazing and burning wood for fuel help to speed up process) Desalinization- to remove salt from ocean water Dams and irrigation systems Using Land and Water

Human Responses to Natural Disasters and Nature Hot and cold climates Tornadoes Earthquakes Flooding Hurricanes and tsunamis Drought