PHYSICAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT

Unit 3

THE BIG PICTURE

What are some differences you can see?

Physical environment (people adapt to it)

Human environment

(people modify it)

DEFINITION OF PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTNatural surroundings which

people, animals and plants live in

Comprise of Water natural vegetation, landforms and rocks, weather and climate

Examples = Deserts, coastal areas, mountainous regions

Text pg 13

DEFINITION OF HUMAN ENVIRONMENT

A changed physical environment by people, through activities:-

Farming Mining Factories Roads and railways

Examples = Urban city (Singapore)

Text pg 14

LETS THINK FURTHER…

How did the physical environment changed into the human environment?

Do you support the changes?

People

Environment

(2a) POSITIVE

IMPACTS

(2b) NEGATIVE

IMPACTS

(1a) POSITIVE

IMPACTS

(1b) NEGATIVE

IMPACTS

Inter-relationship between people and environment

1a. How does human activities have positive impact on the environment?

“Cloud seeding” = use rockets/planes to disperse substance > brings rainfall into areas that are semi arid/ facing drought

Positive impacts = survival of vegetation, prevent drought

Sustainable development = meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Inter-relationship between people and environment

(1b)How does human activities have negative impact on the environment?

Humans may over cultivate the soil, which leads to soil erosion

Soil erosion = detachment of soil particles, causes soil to loosen

Deforestation = removal of top layer of soil (which contains the most nutrients and minerals). Hence during heavy rainfall, top soil will be washed off

2a.How does the physical environment affect people positively

It provides natural resources that benefits people eg Sunlight, minerals

Note: Resources can be renewable (Able to replenish itself eg air, wind) or non-renewable (Unable to replenish itself/takes a long time to replenish eg coal, petroleum)

2b. How does the physical environment affect people negatively?Natural disasters that destroys human settlements eg Flood, tsunami

Unfavourable weather conditions will affect people’s activities eg rainy day

3.Which has a greater influence? Justify your answers.(a) Environment has greater influence on people as extreme weather changes or natural disasters are beyond human control eg Tsunami, flooding

(b) People has greater influence on environment as changes made to the environment causes irreversible damages. Humans also depletes natural resources that are limited in their supply.

OBJECTIVE

1. Learn about the different living environment between a !Kung bushmen and a Singaporean

2. Understand how a !Kung bushmen ADAPT to his environment and how a Singaporean CHANGED his environment

HOW (SAN)BUSHMEN ADAPT TO THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Click here to watch the video!

Take note of the following in the video:Bushman’s clothes, language and tools

Use the following words when comparing the differences:

But, However, Although, even though, despite in spite of, Nevertheless,

Nonetheless, While, Whereas, Unlike

“Contrast”, “State the differences”

CONTRASTING MR !KUNG AND MR SING

!Kung Bushmen SingaporeansClimatic conditions

High temperature in the day and low temperature in the nightVery low rainfall throughout the yearUnpredictable rainfall

Constant high temperature throughout the yearHigh rainfall throughout the year

!Kung Bushmen Singaporeans

Water sources

Water holesFruits and berries

TapsReservoirs/RainImported waterBottled/canned drinks

Food sources

Hunting animals Gathering roots, berries, fruits and nuts from the wild

Buying cooked food or raw food from the super-markets, wet markets and food stalls

!Kung Bushmen SingaporeansMaterial for clothing

Animal skinsLeaves and grasses

Cloth and woolAnimal skins (leather)Artificial material eg Plastics and polyester

!Kung Bushmen

Singaporeans

Types of shelter Temporary

sheltersHuts made of leaves, branches and shrubs

Permanent sheltersHouses made from concrete and steel

!Kung Bushmen SingaporeansTypes of tools / technology

Handmade toolsOstrich egg shells to store waterSpears made from wood and animal bonesBows and arrows made from animal muscles, stems and grass

High-technology toolsTools are made in factoriesMachines, computers

!Kung Bushmen

Singaporeans

Modes of transport Walk most of

the timeNo modern transportNo network of roads

Motorcars/MRTSystem of road networksAirport enables international travel

SUMMARY

Live in a largely physical environment (Kalahari desert in South Africa)

Adapted to their environment and made few changes to it

The environment is able to meet their needs

Live in a largely human environment

Modified much of the environment to meet their needs

Transformed an island (from forest to city)

!Kung Bushmen Singaporean