What Are the Types of Natural Environments?

There are many different types of environments, also called habitats, in which organisms live, including forests, grasslands, coastal areas and marine environments. Large and small organisms live in diverse habitats around the world. Some habitats are characterized by harsh conditions and extreme temperatures – such as the Arctic and desert regions – and support only the hardiest species, while other environments contain copious resources and support large volumes of life.

There are many types of habitats around the world, and all have unique physical features that make them suitable for supporting the life of specific organisms. Fish and amphibians, for instance, are adapted for life in aquatic environments, while animals such as rabbits and mice live on land areas. The environments in which plants and animals live contain different levels of nutrients and resources such as water, food sources and soils. The quantity and type of resources in specific habitats plays a key role in determining which kinds of plants and animals can survive there. In addition to supporting different life forms, environments also influence the climate and geography of surrounding areas. The presence of mountains, for instance, may create specific weather patterns, while strong winds and floods may cause areas of erosion.

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