What Are the Main Types of Environment in Biology?
The term “environment” refers to everything that surrounds us—both living and non-living. It includes the air we breathe, the land we live on, the water we drink and even our social networks. Changes in the environment can directly or indirectly influence our behaviour, growth, and general well-being. While 2 types of environment are most commonly recognised—Geographical Environment and Man-made Environment—there are also other ways to classify environments, and discuss their components of environment clearly and simply.
Explore Types of Environment
The 2 Types of Environment
1. Geographical Environment
Also called the natural environment, it consists of all features that exist without human intervention. These include:
Physical features: Mountains, rivers, plains, deserts, oceans, climatic factors (such as storms, cyclones, and rain), and more.
Biological elements: Plants and animals that form ecosystems.
The geographical environment supplies resources essential for survival and economic growth. Some examples are forests providing timber, fertile land aiding agriculture, and water sources supporting drinking and irrigation needs. Often, humans have minimal control over these natural conditions—volcanic eruptions, storms, or droughts can significantly affect people and wildlife alike.
2. Man-made Environment
This environment is the result of human efforts to modify or control natural surroundings. It is also sometimes referred to as the social-cultural environment because it reflects the values, traditions, and innovations of a society. The man-made environment can be divided into:
Inner Environment
This is the social and cultural framework that shapes our lives. It includes:
Customs and traditions.
Organisations and institutions (schools, banks, hospitals, etc.).
Laws and regulations that govern social behaviour.
Because people’s lives are organised around these social systems, the inner environment constantly influences how individuals think, behave, and interact.
Outer Environment
The outer environment focuses on physical modifications and technological advancements made by humans. It includes:
Buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
Transportation and communication systems.
Tools and technologies (from electrical appliances in homes to large-scale industrial machines).
While the inner environment deals with society’s cultural and organisational aspects, the outer environment deals with practical structures that support daily life. Both are closely connected and influence each other continuously.
Other Ways to Classify Environments
Physical, Social, and Cultural Environment
Physical environment: Similar to the geographical environment, including all-natural surroundings.
Social environment: Represents the human relationships, family structure, and communities.
Cultural environment: Involves traditions, beliefs, art, and literature passed down through generations.
Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere
In types of environment in geography, some sources break it down into four spheres of the Earth:
Lithosphere: The solid outer layer (land).
Hydrosphere: All water bodies (oceans, rivers, lakes).
Atmosphere: The layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
Biosphere: All living organisms, including plants, animals, and humans.
Addition of the Anthroposphere for Human Impact
Sometimes, a fifth sphere or environment is added to show how humans alter natural systems:
Anthroposphere: All parts of the Earth that are impacted or modified by humans (cities, farms, mines, etc.).
Types of Environment in Geography and Social Studies
Types of environment in geography: Often focus on natural landforms (mountain environment, coastal environment, desert environment, etc.) and how these shape human settlement, agriculture, and lifestyle.
Types of environment in social studies: Emphasise social and cultural aspects, such as how institutions, communities, and economic factors shape an individual’s life.
Components of Environment
To better understand the environment, it helps to see it as a combination of interlinked components of the environment:
Abiotic (Non-living) Components: Land (lithosphere), air (atmosphere), and water (hydrosphere).
Biotic (Living) Components: Plants, animals, and microorganisms (biosphere).
Human-made Components: Infrastructure, technology, and cultural institutions (anthroposphere or man-made environment).
These components interact with each other constantly. For example, technology (a human-made component) can extract resources (abiotic) and impact living organisms (biotic).
Additional Unique Insights
Economic and Environmental Balance: Sustainable use of natural resources is important to protect the environment and maintain a stable economy.
Adaptation: Humans and other living organisms must adapt to changes in the environment, whether those changes are natural (like a shift in climate) or human-induced (like pollution).
Stewardship: Each individual plays a role in conserving natural environments, ensuring future generations can benefit from them.
Quick Quiz on Types of Environment
Try these short questions to test your understanding. Answers are provided below.
Which of the following is not a part of the man-made environment?
A. Roads
B. Forests
C. Bridges
D. Houses
What do we call the environment shaped by traditions, laws, and institutions?
A. Inner Environment
B. Outer Environment
C. Natural Environment
D. Physical Environment
Which component deals with living things like plants and animals?
A. Abiotic Components
B. Biotic Components
C. Cultural Components
D. Institutional Components
Which sphere includes all forms of water on Earth?
A. Lithosphere
B. Atmosphere
C. Biosphere
D. Hydrosphere
Quiz Answers
B. Forests
A. Inner Environment
B. Biotic Components
D. Hydrosphere
Related Topics
FAQs on Types of Environment: Definitions, Differences & Impact
1. What are the two primary types of environment students learn about?
The environment is broadly classified into two main types:
- Natural Environment: This includes all living and non-living things that occur naturally on Earth. It comprises biotic components (like plants, animals, and microorganisms) and abiotic components (like air, water, soil, and sunlight).
- Man-Made Environment: This consists of elements created or modified by humans. Examples include buildings, roads, farms, cities, and social structures like laws and traditions.
2. What are the key components of the natural environment?
The natural environment is made up of four interconnected spheres:
- Lithosphere: The solid, outer part of the Earth, including the crust and upper mantle (land).
- Hydrosphere: All the water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
- Atmosphere: The layer of gases surrounding the planet.
- Biosphere: The part of Earth where life exists, which includes parts of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
3. What is the difference between biotic and abiotic components in an environment?
The difference lies in whether the components are living or non-living:
- Biotic components are all the living or once-living organisms in an ecosystem. This includes plants (producers), animals (consumers), and microorganisms like bacteria and fungi (decomposers).
- Abiotic components are the non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms. Key examples include sunlight, temperature, water, soil composition, and air.
4. Why is the environment classified in so many different ways?
The environment is classified differently because various fields of study focus on distinct aspects. For example:
- A biologist might classify environments based on living organisms and their interactions (e.g., aquatic vs. terrestrial ecosystems).
- A geographer might focus on physical features (e.g., mountains, plains, deserts).
- A sociologist might analyse the social-cultural environment (e.g., family, laws, traditions).
5. How does the study of the environment in Biology differ from Environmental Studies (EVS) in lower classes?
The primary difference is the depth and focus. EVS (Environmental Studies), typically for classes 3-5, introduces the concept of our immediate surroundings, focusing on awareness, observation, and our relationship with nature and society. In contrast, Biology delves deeper into the scientific principles, studying the complex interactions within ecosystems, energy flow, food chains, biodiversity, and the physiological adaptations of organisms to their environment, as covered in topics like Ecology and Environment.
6. Are pollution and climate change part of the man-made or natural environment?
Pollution and climate change are phenomena that arise from the interaction between the man-made and natural environments. They are primarily consequences of human activities (part of the man-made world) that negatively impact and alter the natural environment's systems. For instance, industrial emissions (man-made) cause air pollution, which changes the composition of the atmosphere (natural). These are key examples of the human impact on the environment.
7. Why is it important for students to understand the different types of environments?
Understanding the types of environment is crucial because it helps us recognise how dependent we are on natural systems for resources like clean air, water, and food. It also highlights the consequences of our actions, such as pollution and deforestation. This knowledge empowers us to make informed decisions to protect our planet, manage resources sustainably, and ensure a healthy future for all living beings.
