The Science of Geography

 

The term “Geography” is composed of two Greek words ‘Geo’ meaning Earth and "Graphien" means to write.

 

To the ancient Greeks Geography was “a Description of the earth”

 

Geography is the science that studies the relationships among areas, natural systems, cultural activities and the interdependence of all these over space.  

 

Why is Geography unique among all disciplines?

 

·       Its primary concern with how things are distributed on the earth’s surface. 

·       Its use of graphics (maps, pictures, photography) in its methods of study.

·       Its adoption of an interdisciplinary approach to study problems of the earth.

·       Geography is not defined by its subject matter (the things it studies) but rather the approaches it takes to study those materials.

Geography is defined by 5 key themes:

 

1) Place           2)  Location            3) Movement         

4) Region        5) Human-earth relationships

 

 

A bridge between Natural & Social Sciences

 

The human habitat is made up of:

 

a) A natural environment comprising natural features: eg. rivers, weather, soils & vegetation and,

 

b) A cultural environment, consisting of products of human civilization e.g. schools, cities, computers.

 

 

(1)          Physical Geography: spatial analysis of physical elements and processes that make up the environment. The study focuses on the natural environment (weather, mountains, soil, etc.).

 

 

(2)          Human Geography studies products of human civilization embodied in our cultural environment.

 

Earth System Concepts

 

A system refers to “an organized and interrelated set of things, and their attributes that work together as a unit. The parts are linked by flows of energy and matter.

 

A system that receives inputs of energy and matter and then outputs materials into surrounding environments is termed: Open System (e.g. systems in human body)

 

A system that is shut off from the surrounding environment and is self-contained is termed: Closed System (e.g. the earth system).

 

Feedback: information and other materials that are returned to parts of a system to influence its continuous operation.

 

Negative feedback: Information that tends to stabilize a system by slowing its rate, or reducing output when its effects are too great (daylight and photosynthesis).

 

Positive feedback: Information that encourages response and hence stimulates growth in the system (dried shrubs & oxygen and wildfires).

Steady-state equilibrium occurs when rates of inputs and outputs of energy and matter within the system are constant or fluctuate around a stable average.

 

Earth’s Spheres

 

Elements on the earth can be grouped into two classes:

a)               Biotic elements – the living system including all plants, animals, and micro-organisms.

 

b)              Abiotic elements – the non-living elements of the earth on which living things depend. The are:

1)              Atmosphere – the mass of air (gases)

2)              Hydrosphere – all forms of water

3)              Lithosphere - outer part of the solid earth

4)              Biosphere: Interconnected web that links all organisms with the physical environment. The worldwide system within which all life functions.