What is Physical What is Physical Geography?Geography?

Physical geography- Physical geography- CGF3MCGF3M

This course examines the main elements of the This course examines the main elements of the physical environment (climate, soils, landforms, physical environment (climate, soils, landforms, oceans, vegetation), the processes that shape oceans, vegetation), the processes that shape them, and the relationship between the them, and the relationship between the environment and human beings. environment and human beings.

Students will apply a wide range of geographic Students will apply a wide range of geographic tools and methods to explore the distribution and tools and methods to explore the distribution and ongoing evolution of the elements of the physical ongoing evolution of the elements of the physical environment on a variety of scales, from local to environment on a variety of scales, from local to global.global.

What is Physical What is Physical Geography?Geography? the study of the natural processes that shape the surface the study of the natural processes that shape the surface

of the Earth and life on it; the characteristics of the natural of the Earth and life on it; the characteristics of the natural features of some portion of the Earth's surface features of some portion of the Earth's surface

Study (description) of the physical earth OR The spatial Study (description) of the physical earth OR The spatial analysis of the physical elements and processes that make analysis of the physical elements and processes that make up the environment: energy, air, water, weather, climate, up the environment: energy, air, water, weather, climate, landforms, soils, animals, plants, and the Earth itself. landforms, soils, animals, plants, and the Earth itself.

the study of physical features of the earth's the study of physical features of the earth's

surface surface

What is studied in What is studied in physical geography?physical geography?

Study of the components of the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, Study of the components of the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere.the biosphere, and the lithosphere. Patterns of weather and climatePatterns of weather and climate Global radiation and temperature budgetsGlobal radiation and temperature budgets Distribution and movement of waterDistribution and movement of water Distribution of biota across time and spaceDistribution of biota across time and space Formation of new crust and generation of landformsFormation of new crust and generation of landforms Weathering, erosion, and deposition driven by water, wind, and Weathering, erosion, and deposition driven by water, wind, and

other agentsother agents Soil formationSoil formation

The three subdisciplines of Physical Geography are:The three subdisciplines of Physical Geography are: ClimatologyClimatology BiogeographyBiogeography Geomorphology Geomorphology

The Characteristics of Physical The Characteristics of Physical GeographyGeography

• IntegrativeIntegrative

• SpatialSpatial

• HolisticHolistic

• Studies Change Studies Change

• System OrientedSystem Oriented

It is IntegrativeIt is Integrative

• It uses information It uses information from a number of from a number of other disciplines , such other disciplines , such as: as:

• Geology Geology • MeteorologyMeteorology• BiologyBiology• ChemistryChemistry• Physics Physics • AstronomyAstronomy• Oceanography Oceanography

Spatial Spatial

• Physical Geography studies Physical Geography studies location , distribution, and patterns location , distribution, and patterns of things that influence the earth’s of things that influence the earth’s surfacesurface

HolisticHolistic

• Physical Geography looks at the big Physical Geography looks at the big picture. Physical Geography deals with the picture. Physical Geography deals with the ways in which all processes and events are ways in which all processes and events are interrelated.interrelated.

ChangeChange• Physical Geography Physical Geography

sees the earth as a sees the earth as a dynamic planet which is dynamic planet which is always changing. Some always changing. Some of these changes are of these changes are fast and dramatic fast and dramatic taking place in a matter taking place in a matter of hours and days. In of hours and days. In other cases the other cases the changes are slow taking changes are slow taking place over centuries. place over centuries.

Systems OrientedSystems Oriented• Physical Geography uses a systems Physical Geography uses a systems

approach to study the processes on earth.approach to study the processes on earth.