Geography Yearly Study
Biophysical Interactions
What are the biophysical interactions which occur between components of the biophysical environment?
The atmosphere interacts with the biosphere as the atmosphere controls the amount of sunlight to enter
through the atmosphere which controls the amount of sunlight able to enter through the atmosphere
therefore determining plant growth (photosynthesis) which affects all living things on Earth.
The Biosphere also interacts with the Hydrosphere trough continental water budgets which cause flooding
and drought which can have devastating effects on inhabitants (biosphere). Also, the biosphere can have
impacts on the Hydrosphere for example polluting creeks, rivers, catchments by humans is an example of
the Biosphere interacting with the Hydrosphere.
The Hydrosphere and the Lithosphere interact when the water (Hydrosphere) is a direct agent of erosion,
shaping the lithosphere creating many valleys, waterfalls, rivers, creeks and canyons. During this process
the water carries sediment causing a displacement in the lithosphere.
The Lithosphere interacts with the Atmosphere as Atmospheric gasses allow different amounts on sun
light on the lithosphere creating different landforms such as deserts or polar areas depending on latitude.
What are the effects of human impacts on the functioning of the hydrosphere?
The Biosphere is affected in destructive ways which include physical control, chemical, habitat, genetic and
behaviour control over the animals/plants.
Lithosphere is impacted by humans through land degradation which has declined the quality of natural
land resources caused by improper use such as mining, urbanisation and erosion.
The Hydrosphere’s human impacts include reduced river flow, siltation, and pollution into water,
overfishing and riverbank erosion. These can result in drought especially from agricultural, domestic and
industrial impacts.
Human impacts on the Atmosphere include global warming, ozone depletion are a direct result of fossil
fuels being used. Air pollution and acid rain are also human impacts on the atmosphere.
Effects of Human Impacts
. Human impacts have been occurring for thousands of years, such as indigenous people transforming ecosystems that lead
to the extinction of species. Elements of the Biophysical environment adjusted to human impacts and humans utilized land
and marine environments in a proper way.
. The Industrial Revolution impacted the environment negatively. Done so by the motivation of material wealth,
consumption and economic development.
. The release of gases into the atmosphere disturbs the existing balance in the atmosphere. Humans impact the functioning
of the atmosphere in several ways:
1. Issues that transcend international boundaries
2. Air pollution
3. Urban air quality
4. Acid rain
5. Possible impacts of human-induced climate change
,Impacts on Human induced climate change
Sea levels: Expected to rise by as much as 1m by 2100.
Precipitation: Expected to increase due to increase evaporation with larger expanses of water.
Fragile ecosystems: Such as coral reefs, are likely to collapse due to the drastic climatic changes.
Vulnerability: More people are likely to become vulnerable due to the effects of drought, flooding and
famine.
Extreme weather: Occurrence is likely to increase, such as flooding and fires.
Intertidal Wetlands
. Located at 3351’S, 11533’E on the Southern Bank of the Parramatta River, approx 12km West Sydney’s
CBD. Extends over 58 Hectares (40ha of mangroves, 8ha salt marsh, 10ha open shallow water).
. Northern boundary of wetlands determined by straightening of Powells Creek for stormwater discharge
and aiding land reclamation
. Southern boundary determined by landfill site that has been transformed into a parkland (Bicentennial
Park)
. Western boundary adjacent to roadway (Bennelong Road)
Mangroves- salt tolerant (is 35 parts per 1000) plant that grows between the land and sea
Mangrove species such as Grey Mangrove provide shelter for species such as fish and crabs.
Provide basic inputs of carbon to estuaries in the form of dead leaves
Mangroves create a microclimate
Biophysical interactions which occur between components of the biophysical environment
, Interactions between the spheres
. How spheres interact to improve our coexistence with nature
. The human element is one part of the biosphere
Interactions on a local scale
. Land degradation arises due to humans using resources from the biophysical environment such as
removing trees. This causes:
. Lithosphere: lower organic content within soil exposing soil, which is removed by wind and water erosion
. Hydrosphere: reduced infiltration of water into soil increasing surface runoff
. Atmosphere: less shade, higher temperatures, higher rates of evaporation
. Biosphere: loss of habitat
Biophysical Interactions
. Ecosystems are systems through which incoming solar energy is captured and moved through a hierarchy
of life forms
. Characterised between interactions between abiotic and biological environment, with interactions
occurring in the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
. Ecosystems have the ability to capture, store and transfer energy, nutrients and water
. Ecosystems are dynamic which means they are forever changing due to either natural or human
influences that may occur.
Hydrosphere Interaction
. Hydrosphere: interconnecting system of water in the atmosphere and lithosphere such as ice, clouds and
bodies of water
. Hydrosphere is linked to the atmosphere through water cycle as the hydrosphere is water and the
atmosphere is the determining factor in how the water cycle works.
. For example, storm water channel of Powell’s Creek shows how dissolved oxygen is easily modified by
variations in the hydrosphere
. Oil spills, land reclamation, and dumping of waste has threatened the oxygen supply to the wetlands.
. Biosphere contributes through organic material which also adds to the store of nutrients
Biospheres Interactions
Biophysical Interactions
What are the biophysical interactions which occur between components of the biophysical environment?
The atmosphere interacts with the biosphere as the atmosphere controls the amount of sunlight to enter
through the atmosphere which controls the amount of sunlight able to enter through the atmosphere
therefore determining plant growth (photosynthesis) which affects all living things on Earth.
The Biosphere also interacts with the Hydrosphere trough continental water budgets which cause flooding
and drought which can have devastating effects on inhabitants (biosphere). Also, the biosphere can have
impacts on the Hydrosphere for example polluting creeks, rivers, catchments by humans is an example of
the Biosphere interacting with the Hydrosphere.
The Hydrosphere and the Lithosphere interact when the water (Hydrosphere) is a direct agent of erosion,
shaping the lithosphere creating many valleys, waterfalls, rivers, creeks and canyons. During this process
the water carries sediment causing a displacement in the lithosphere.
The Lithosphere interacts with the Atmosphere as Atmospheric gasses allow different amounts on sun
light on the lithosphere creating different landforms such as deserts or polar areas depending on latitude.
What are the effects of human impacts on the functioning of the hydrosphere?
The Biosphere is affected in destructive ways which include physical control, chemical, habitat, genetic and
behaviour control over the animals/plants.
Lithosphere is impacted by humans through land degradation which has declined the quality of natural
land resources caused by improper use such as mining, urbanisation and erosion.
The Hydrosphere’s human impacts include reduced river flow, siltation, and pollution into water,
overfishing and riverbank erosion. These can result in drought especially from agricultural, domestic and
industrial impacts.
Human impacts on the Atmosphere include global warming, ozone depletion are a direct result of fossil
fuels being used. Air pollution and acid rain are also human impacts on the atmosphere.
Effects of Human Impacts
. Human impacts have been occurring for thousands of years, such as indigenous people transforming ecosystems that lead
to the extinction of species. Elements of the Biophysical environment adjusted to human impacts and humans utilized land
and marine environments in a proper way.
. The Industrial Revolution impacted the environment negatively. Done so by the motivation of material wealth,
consumption and economic development.
. The release of gases into the atmosphere disturbs the existing balance in the atmosphere. Humans impact the functioning
of the atmosphere in several ways:
1. Issues that transcend international boundaries
2. Air pollution
3. Urban air quality
4. Acid rain
5. Possible impacts of human-induced climate change
,Impacts on Human induced climate change
Sea levels: Expected to rise by as much as 1m by 2100.
Precipitation: Expected to increase due to increase evaporation with larger expanses of water.
Fragile ecosystems: Such as coral reefs, are likely to collapse due to the drastic climatic changes.
Vulnerability: More people are likely to become vulnerable due to the effects of drought, flooding and
famine.
Extreme weather: Occurrence is likely to increase, such as flooding and fires.
Intertidal Wetlands
. Located at 3351’S, 11533’E on the Southern Bank of the Parramatta River, approx 12km West Sydney’s
CBD. Extends over 58 Hectares (40ha of mangroves, 8ha salt marsh, 10ha open shallow water).
. Northern boundary of wetlands determined by straightening of Powells Creek for stormwater discharge
and aiding land reclamation
. Southern boundary determined by landfill site that has been transformed into a parkland (Bicentennial
Park)
. Western boundary adjacent to roadway (Bennelong Road)
Mangroves- salt tolerant (is 35 parts per 1000) plant that grows between the land and sea
Mangrove species such as Grey Mangrove provide shelter for species such as fish and crabs.
Provide basic inputs of carbon to estuaries in the form of dead leaves
Mangroves create a microclimate
Biophysical interactions which occur between components of the biophysical environment
, Interactions between the spheres
. How spheres interact to improve our coexistence with nature
. The human element is one part of the biosphere
Interactions on a local scale
. Land degradation arises due to humans using resources from the biophysical environment such as
removing trees. This causes:
. Lithosphere: lower organic content within soil exposing soil, which is removed by wind and water erosion
. Hydrosphere: reduced infiltration of water into soil increasing surface runoff
. Atmosphere: less shade, higher temperatures, higher rates of evaporation
. Biosphere: loss of habitat
Biophysical Interactions
. Ecosystems are systems through which incoming solar energy is captured and moved through a hierarchy
of life forms
. Characterised between interactions between abiotic and biological environment, with interactions
occurring in the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
. Ecosystems have the ability to capture, store and transfer energy, nutrients and water
. Ecosystems are dynamic which means they are forever changing due to either natural or human
influences that may occur.
Hydrosphere Interaction
. Hydrosphere: interconnecting system of water in the atmosphere and lithosphere such as ice, clouds and
bodies of water
. Hydrosphere is linked to the atmosphere through water cycle as the hydrosphere is water and the
atmosphere is the determining factor in how the water cycle works.
. For example, storm water channel of Powell’s Creek shows how dissolved oxygen is easily modified by
variations in the hydrosphere
. Oil spills, land reclamation, and dumping of waste has threatened the oxygen supply to the wetlands.
. Biosphere contributes through organic material which also adds to the store of nutrients
Biospheres Interactions
