The Road Less Traveled     Every endeavor has its own road to follow. Some are winding and curving. Others always lie on a straight path. In "Earthscape", we try to do what Robert Frost said, "take the road less traveled." We want to be innovative and exciting, providing interesting learning with the Internet. In this section, we list some universal themes that we feel are essential to the understanding of earth. By exploring these concepts, our planet reveals its wonder and mysteries . Themes of Earthscape 1)Earth is shaped by natural processes which we can easily understand a. Erosion - ex. Wind, Streams, Rivers b. Plate tectonics - Mountain building, earthquakes, rock formation and metamorphism c. Volcanoes - new rock layers and ecosystem effects d. Glaciers - soil deposition and erosion 2)Earth is filled with environments for living, each with special qualities a. Plant life b. Animal life c. Common resources d. Typical geological makeup e. Common problems 3) Weather interacts and influences the environment its in and reversely, man and the environment influences and interact with the weather a. Regions i.Leeward and windward mountain sides b. Effects by man i. Acid rain ii. Deforestation iii. Flooding c. Weather patterns i. Hurricanes ii. Monsoons iii. Blizzards iv. Winds 4)Soils and life are joined together inseparably a. Soil i. Has nutrients and material for plants growth ii. Holds water and other materials used by man for survival b. Plants i. Provide food from soil products ii. Provide food for consumers(humans,animals, etc.) iii. Have important environmental functions - Recycle oxygen - Prevent erosion and purify soil - Help determine ecosystems 5) The Hydrologic cycle and other earth systems continuously build and change landscapes 6)Geologic processes create change on a global to atomic scale with a timetable of microseconds to giga years 7) We must understand that living things and natural processes should not be considered as inherently good or evil. a. Natural Hazards i. Earthquakes ii. Volcanoes iii. Forest Fires b. Predators i. Sharks ii. Wolves c. Poisonous plants 8) Many things that happen in nature serve themselves, without them the environment would not be able to change and adapt a. Forest fires are necessary to change a forest and promote new growth and life so all will not die of disease and old age b. Predators kill the weak, in doing so they strengthen the gene pool of a species c. Rocks break down and soil is eroded to help create new, rich soil for agriculture and other life d. Volcanoes and geysers occur to help the Earth release pressure and keep itself stable 9) It must be understood that man alters some of the natural cycles of the earth. It is our responsibility to restore these cycles and prevent their destruction a. Deforestation changes oxygen cycle of reproduction and creates more carbon dioxide which heats the earth b. Man and his wastes pollute groundwater and other systems that would naturally replenish themselves c. Man introduces man-made chemicals that destroy the ozone and harm plants and animals d. Man harvests fossil fuels and minerals at rates extremely faster than they can be reproduced 10) By understanding the environment you live in, one is more able to enjoy what it has to offer and give contributions to its preservation and betterment 11) Water is an agent of life. It is a part of all living things and serves many purposes in inorganic matter. Without water, life on earth would not exist. Neither would any formation or creation of geologic substances   Disclaimer and Copyright