Recruit researchers Join for free Login

Chapter PDF Available

The Natural Environment

January 2009
In book: Principles of Environmental Sciences (pp.143-176) · Chapter: The Natural Environment (Chapter 10) · Publisher: Springer · Editors: Jan J.
Boersema & Lucas Reijnders
Authors:

Piet H. Nienhuis Egbert Boeker

Radboud University Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Download full-text PDF Download citation Copy link

Abstract

The Natural Environment Piet H. Nienhuis, with contributions of Egbert Boeker This
chapter discusses a range of concepts and methods for analyzing 'the natural Discover the world's
research
environment', here considered as the physical, chemical and biological (i.e. living and non-
living) environment and as the 'resource base' of human society, to which it thus bears a 25+ million
reciprocal relationship (Boersema et al. 1991: 22). This definition does not include the members
social environment, which is treated in Chapter 9. Although the natural and engineering
sciences potentially provide a plethora of methods for studying the environment, we shall 160+ million
here restrict ourselves to those used specifically for analyzing and resolving environmental publication
problems, which we shall here take to mean an actual or potential deterioration of the pages
quality of the environment, or a disturbance of the relationship between the environment 2.3+ billion
Join for free
and human society (Boersema et al. 1991). The term 'environmental quality', in turn, is citations
taken to comprise the structural and functional properties of the environment in the context
of human appreciation, either positive or negative (Boersema et al. 1991). In this chapter
the physical environment is considered as the object of study of the environmental
scientist. By implication, then, the focus will be on the application of knowledge from the
natural sciences for solving environmental problems. Every environmental scientist should
thus have some basic working knowledge of the 'laws' of nature. For the basics of physics
and chemistry this chapter relies heavily on the writings of Mihelcic (1999), while for
biology — here mainly ecology — various other sources have been consulted. The source
of knowledge from the natural sciences to be applied in environmental science originates
from practical observation and experimentation in a wide range of component disciplines.
Field and laboratory studies are fundamental components of undergraduate training in
most aspects of environmental science. The skills required range from accurate
observation and recording of field data to operation of sophisticated field and laboratory
equipment. Students are expected to design practical investigations, keep records of their
work, analyze data and present and communicate their results in writing as well as orally.
Jones et al. (2000) have published a useful book on the practical skills required by the
environmental scientist. The book's main emphasis is on fieldwork and taking

Public Full-text 1

Content uploaded by Piet H. Nienhuis Author content

Content may be subject to copyright.

Jan J. Boersema & Lucas Reijnders (editors)

Principles of Environmental Sciences

Principles of Environmental Sciences
2009, pp 143-176
Springer
Chapter 10:

The Natural Environment

Piet H. Nienhuis, with contributions of E

Egbert
gbert Boeker

This chapter discusses a range of concepts and m methods

ethods for analyz
analyzing
ing ‘the
natural environment’, here considere
considered d as the physical, chemical and biol biological
ogical
(i.e. living and non-
non-living)
living) environment a
and
nd as the ‘resource base’ of human
society, to which it thus bears a rec
reciprocal
iprocal relationship (Boersema et al. 1991:
22). This definition does not include the so social
cial environment, which is treated in
Chapter 9. Although the natural and engineengineering
ering sciences potentially provide a
plethora of methods for studying the eenvironment,
nvironment, we shall here restrict
ourselves to those used specifically for analyzing and resolving environmental
problems, which we shall here take tto o mean an actual or potential deteriora
deterioration
tion
of the quality of the environment, or a disturbance of the relationship betwe between
en
Principles
the of Environmental
environment and human Sciences
society (Boer
(Boersema
sema et al. 1991). The term
2009, pp 143-176
Springer
‘environmental quality’, in turn, is ta
taken
ken to comprise the structural aandnd
ing ‘the
functional properties of the environm
environmentent in the context of human appreciati
appreciation,
on,
natural environment’, here considered as the physical, chemical and biological
either
Chapter positive
10: or negative (Boersem
(Boersemaa et al. 1991).
living) environment and as the ‘resource base’ of human
In
Thethis chapterEnvironment
Natural the physical environm
environment ent is considered as the object of study of
the environmental scientist. By im
implication,
Piet H. Nienhuis, with contributions of Egbertplication, then, the focus will be on the
Boeker
application of knowledge from the nat natural
ural sciences for solving environm
environmental ental
problems. Every environmental scientist s
should
hould
This chapter discusses a range of concepts and methods for analyzthus have some basic working
knowledge of the ‘laws’ of nature. For the basics of physics and chemistry this
chapter relies
(i.e. living andheavily
non- on the writings of Mi helcic (1999), while for biology —
Mihelcic
here mainly
society, ecology
to which — various
it thus bears a recother sources
iprocal have been(Boersema
relationship [Link]. source
1991:
of knowledge
22). from
This definition the natural
does innotturn,sciences
include to
the so be
cialapplied in environmenta
environmental
environment, l science
which is treated in
‘environmental
originates quality’, is taken
andto comprise the structural
in a wideand
Chapter [Link] practical
Although observation
the natural and engine experimentation
ering sciences potentially range
provide of a
component disciplines.
plethora of methods for Field
studyingand the
lab
laboratory
oratory studieswe
environment, areshall
fundamental
here restrict
components of undergraduate training in most aspects
ourselves to those used specifically for analyzing and resolving of environmental scie
science.
environmental nce.
The skills required
problems, which werange shallfrom
here accurate
take to mean observati
observation on and
an actual or recording of field data
potential deteriora tion
to
of operation
the qualityofofsophisticated
the environment, field and
or a labor
laboratory
atory equipment.
disturbance Studentsbetwe
of the relationship are en
expected to design
the environment andpractical
human investigations,
society (Boersema keepetrec
records
[Link] of their
1991). The work,
term analyz
analyzee
data and present and comm communicate
unicate their results in writing as well as orally orally.. Jones
et al. (2000)
functional have published a useful boo
book k on the practical skills required byon,
the
knowledgeproperties
of the ‘laws’of the environm
of nature. Forentthe
inbasics
the context of human
of physics appreciati
and chemistry this
environmental
either positive or scientist.
negative The book's main
(Boersem a et [Link]
emphasis
phasis is on fieldwork and taking
1991). —
—
In this chapter the physical environment is considered as the object of study of
the environmental scientist. By implication, then, the focus will be on the
application of knowledge from the natural sciences for solving environmental
problems. Every environmental scientist should thus have some basic working

chapter relies heavily on the writings of Mihelcic (1999), while for biology
here mainly ecology various other sources have been consulted. The source
of knowledge from the natural sciences to be applied in environmental science
originates from practical observation and experimentation in a wide range of
component disciplines. Field and laboratory studies are fundamental
components of undergraduate training in most aspects of environmental science.
The skills required range from accurate observation and recording of field data
to operation of sophisticated field and laboratory equipment. Students are
expected to design practical investigations, keep records of their work, analyze
fi
field
eld measurements and samples, but it also includes sections on basic lab
laboratory
oratory
procedures and transferable skills such aass computing and study skills.

field measurements and samples, but it also includes sections on basic laboratory
procedures and transferable skills such as computing and study skills.
 Citations (0) References (0)

ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.

Recommended publications Discover more

Sponsored content

Last Chance to Apply! 18 Assistant & Associate Professor positions at VU Amsterdam

October 2022
The Faculty of Science of VU Amsterdam is opening 18 assistant/associate professor positions in the fields of evolutionary adaptation,
biodiversity, climate change, water cycle, natural hazards and risks, health and environment, carbon cycle and ecosystem services.
These new positions will...

View post

Sponsored content

See our 18 open Asst/Assoc. Professor positions at the science faculty of VU Amsterdam
October 2022

The Faculty of Science of VU Amsterdam is opening 18 assistant/associate professor positions in the fields of evolutionary adaptation,
biodiversity, climate change, water cycle, natural hazards and risks, health and environment, carbon cycle and ecosystem services.
These new positions will...

View post

Sponsored content

'If we want to develop AI that helps people, we need all the brainpower we can get.'

September 2022
To build the best artificial intelligence, we don't just need computing power and new technology, argues Pim Haselager. If we want to
develop AI that helps people, we need all the brainpower we can get. This includes people from all walks of life where AI will play a
role. Only then can we...

View post

Article Full-text available

Impacts of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Elements on Residential Property Market: A Review
March 2015 · Jurnal Teknologi

Asmma' Binti Che Kasim · Megat Mohamed Ghazali Megat Abd. Rahman · Maryanti Mohd Raid

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is among six criteria of Green Building Index (GBI) that need to be achieved by building owner in
order to recognize their building as ‘green’ in Malaysia. The benefit of IEQ is to create conducive environment for human health.
Besides influenced their overall image, leasing and resale value of the buildings, does indoor environmental quality (IEQ) features will
... [Show full abstract]

View full-text
 Article

Study of Architectural Shape Formation in Comparison with Natural Morphogenesis Using Computer Simul...
January 1970

Nikolai Kasyanov

Geometric accuracy of architectural computer models allows to percept and to analyze the three-dimensional spatial compositions
using computer images. The concepts and methodology of modern interdisciplinary science, in particular fractal geometry, have
already been successfully applied in the various scientific fields, as astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology. Modern ecological
paradigm does ... [Show full abstract]

Read more

Article Full-text available

CONSTRUCTION AND APPLICATION OF ENHANCED REMOTE SENSING ECOLOGICAL INDEX

April 2018 · The International Archives of the Photogrammetry Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
X. Wang · C. Liu · Q. Fu · B. Yin

In order to monitor the change of regional ecological environment quality, this paper use MODIS and DMSP / OLS remote sensing
data, from the production capacity, external disturbance changes and human socio-economic development of the three main factors
affecting the quality of ecosystems, select the net primary productivity, vegetation index and light index, using the principal component
... [Show full abstract]

View full-text

Article

Comparative research on petroleum composition between Pro-release and Post-release at the low petrol...

May 2011
Chao Guo · Tinglin Huang

The high concentration oil wastewater would pollute the soil by a series of physical chemistry actions. Under the water dynamical
activity, the petroleum in soil would pollute the water body. By analyzing the oil composition in sediments the degree of polluted water
was discussed, which supportted the scientific basement for environment protection. When the oil concentration was 320mg/kg in ...
[Show full abstract]

Read more

Conference Paper

VEGETATION COVER ANALYSIS IN SHAANXI PROVINCE OF CHINA BASED ON GRID PIXEL TERND ANALYSIS AND STABIL...

May 2018
Hui Yue · Ying Liu

As a key factor affecting the biogeochemical cycle of human existence, terrestrial vegetation is vulnerable to natural environment and
human activities, with obvious temporal and spatial characteristics. The change of vegetation cover will affect the ecological balance
and environmental quality to a great extent. Therefore, the research on the causes and influencing factors of vegetation cover ...
[Show full abstract]

Read more
Company Support Business solutions

About us Help Center Advertising

News Recruiting
Careers

© 2008-2025 ResearchGate GmbH. All rights reserved. Terms · Privacy · Copyright · Imprint · Consent preferences