Natural systems form the foundation of the Earth Systems. These natural systems were formed over billions of years of evolution. The following picture uses the embedded economy model as a way to highlight the Earth Systems:
These natural systems have been evolving and emerging since the planet took its initial form 4.3 billion years ago.
The two sources of energy entering the system are:
- Sun (Solar Energy)
- Gravitation (Moon and Sun and other planets).
These natural systems consist of abiotic elements and biotic elements. As the Earth is a bounded system, the resources available are finite.
Abiotic Elements
The abiotic elements cover the traditional spheres of the Earth:
- Atmosphere
- Geosphere
- Hydrosphere
- Cryosphere
Biotic Elements
The biotic elements come from the Biosphere and the Pedosphere (soil).
Living systems have the following characteristics:
- metabolism (transforms energy and creates waste)
- cognitive responses to triggers (internal or external).
- dissipative structures to transforms energy and matter
- operates far from equilibrium
The living systems include:
- A cell
- An Organism (multi-cellular)
- An Ecosystem
A human being is an organism that is referred to as a 'person' in this document. A human being is the main element forming human activity systems and human societies.
Biogeochemical Cycles / Processes
The following Biogeochemical cycles / processes are included in this area:
Chemical Elements
calcium, carbon, hydrogen, mercury, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, selenium, and sulfur;
Molecular cycles
water and silica;
Macroscopic cycles
the rock cycle;
Soil
The Pedosphere consists of all of the soil that is part of the Earth. The soil is a key ingredient of the ecosystem for the maintenance of life. Soil exists at the intersection of many of the planetary spheres.
Ecosystem
Ecosystem is a type of natural system. When considering the Earth as an ecosystem, the entire Earth and all spheres are included. Ecosystems can also represent any bounded area on the Earth. These ecosystems may represent an area of land, such as a:
- Biome
- Nation State
- City region
- Local Community within an area
- Land for a specific habitat
Ecosystem services provide basic necessities for life in a specific ecosystem. These ecosystem services are also used to provide services and support the human activity infrastructure services created in the Economy.
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