Nature provides us with many amazing things that come in a variety of forms. From tiny insects to enormous mountains, the natural world contains a diverse array of objects, organisms, and phenomena. In this article, we will explore some of the many things that can be found occurring naturally on our planet.
Some quick answers to common questions about things found in nature:
– Plants – Trees, flowers, grasses, algae, fungi, and more. Plants are multicellular, photosynthetic organisms in the kingdom Plantae.
– Animals – Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, arachnids, and more. Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic organisms that lack cell walls.
– Rocks – Igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that form from geological processes and make up much of the Earth’s crust.
– Water – Found in the ocean, lakes, rivers, streams, rain, groundwater, ice, and snow. Water covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface.
– Sun – The star at the center of our solar system. The sun is composed of hydrogen and helium gas.
– Soil – The mixture of weathered rock and organic materials that covers land surfaces and supports plant growth.
– Air – The mixture of gases that make up the Earth’s atmosphere, including nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide and other trace gases.
Now let’s explore some of these things in nature in more detail.
Plants
Plants are multicellular, autotrophic organisms that obtain energy through photosynthesis. There are over 300,000 species of plants that come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Here are some major types of plants that occur naturally:
| Type of Plant | Description |
|---|---|
| Trees | Woody plants with a single trunk and branches. Trees can live for hundreds or even thousands of years. Examples: oak, pine, maple. |
| Shrubs | Woody plants smaller than trees, usually having multiple stems from the base. Examples: lilac, roses, blueberry bushes. |
| Herbaceous plants | Plants with non-woody stems that die back to soil level at the end of the growing season. Examples: tulips, daffodils, tomatoes. |
| Grasses | Plants in the Poaceae family with long, thin leaves. Grasses grow in dense clumps or tufts. Examples: bamboo, wheat, lawn grass. |
| Mosses | Small, soft plants that thrive in damp, shady locations. Mosses lack true roots, stems, or leaves. Examples: peat moss, cushion moss, clubmoss. |
| Algae | Diverse group of aquatic organisms that produce energy through photosynthesis. Examples: seaweed, giant kelp, phytoplankton. |
This table shows some of the main types of plants that occur naturally and provides a brief description of each. Trees, shrubs, grasses, mosses, and algae all grow and reproduce without human intervention. These plants provide food, habitat, and resources that sustain nearly all life on Earth.
Animals
Animals comprise a diverse kingdom with over 1 million known living species. Here are some of the major types of animals that are found in nature:
| Type of Animal | Description |
|---|---|
| Mammals | Animals with vertebrae that are endothermic, produce milk, and grow hair. Examples: humans, whales, bats, cattle. |
| Birds | Animals with feathers and wings. Birds hatch from eggs and are endothermic. Examples: eagles, ducks, hummingbirds. |
| Reptiles | Cold-blooded animals with scales. Most reptiles lay eggs. Examples: snakes, turtles, alligators. |
| Fish | Aquatic animals with gills, fins, and scales. Most fish are ectothermic. Examples: tuna, seahorses, sharks. |
| Amphibians | Cold-blooded animals that live part of their life cycle in water and part on land. Amphibians hatch from jelly-like eggs. Examples: frogs, toads, salamanders. |
| Insects | Invertebrates with six legs, compound eyes, antennae and an exoskeleton. Examples: bees, butterflies, ants, mosquitoes. |
This table summarizes some of the major animal groups. These animals inhabit ecosystems across the planet, from rainforests to deserts to the ocean depths. Their interactions form complex food webs that support biodiversity.
Rocks and Minerals
Rocks form the foundation of the planet we live on. The Earth’s outer crust is composed of various types of rock, each with unique properties and compositions. Here are some of the main types of rocks that occur naturally:
| Type of Rock | Description |
|---|---|
| Igneous | Formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. Examples: granite, basalt, obsidian. |
| Sedimentary | Formed over time as sediment accumulates and is compressed. Examples: limestone, shale, sandstone. |
| Metamorphic | Igneous or sedimentary rock that has been transformed by heat and pressure. Examples: marble, slate, schist. |
In addition to rocks, nature produces a variety of minerals, which are solid crystalline compounds formed naturally in the Earth. Here are some minerals that can be found in nature:
– Quartz – One of the most common minerals composed of silica. Varieties include amethyst, citrine, agate.
– Calcite – A calcium carbonate mineral that makes up limestone and marble.
– Pyrite – Also known as fool’s gold, this iron sulfide mineral often forms cubic crystals.
– Halite – The mineral name for salt (sodium chloride). It often develops in cubic crystals.
– Mica – Sheet-like layered mineral that cleaves into thin transparent sheets. Biotite and muscovite are common mica minerals.
– Olivine – An iron-magnesium silicate mineral that makes up much of Earth’s mantle. Gem varieties are peridot and chrysolite.
– Obsidian – A volcanic glass created when lava cools very quickly. It is usually black or dark in color.
Rocks and minerals are beautiful and fascinating gifts from nature that make up the very substance of our planet.
Water
Water is one of the most essential natural resources, necessary for the survival of all living organisms. There are many places in nature where water occurs:
| Source of Water | Description |
|---|---|
| Oceans | Saltwater bodies covering 71% of the Earth’s surface and containing 97% of the planet’s water. |
| Rivers | Freshwater flowing within a channel towards the sea, a lake or another river. |
| Lakes | Inland bodies of standing water such as freshwater and saltwater lakes. |
| Streams | Small narrow bodies of flowing freshwater. |
| Groundwater | Water located beneath the Earth’s surface in underground aquifers and soils. |
| Glaciers | Slow-moving masses of ice formed from accumulated snow. |
| Rain and Snow | Precipitation that falls from clouds in liquid or frozen form. |
Water shapes landscapes, powers weather, and allows life to flourish on Earth through processes like photosynthesis and metabolism. Without naturally occurring water sources, complex life forms could not have evolved.
Sun
The sun is a yellow dwarf star at the center of our solar system. It formed over 4.5 billion years ago and will continue fusing hydrogen into helium for billions more years. Some key facts about the sun:
– Diameter: 1.4 million km
– Core temperature: 15 million°C
– Composition: 74% hydrogen, 25% helium, 1% other elements
– Surface temperature: About 5,500°C
– Distance from Earth: 150 million km
The sun is by far the largest object in our solar system, containing 99.8% of the solar system’s mass. The immense gravity of the sun holds the planets, asteroids, comets and other objects in orbit.
Without the steady shining of the sun, life could not exist on Earth. The sun’s light provides the energy that powers photosynthesis in plants, while its heat drives circulation of the atmosphere and oceans. The sun also generates space weather events, like solar flares, that can impact technologies on Earth. Our closest star is intrinsically tied to life on our planet.
Soil
Soil is the loose, weathered material that covers land surfaces. Natural soil formation takes place very slowly through processes like weathering, erosion, transport and deposition of material. The components of soil include:
– Minerals – Derived from the original rock material. Sand, silt and clay are common soil minerals.
– Organic material – Decomposed leaves, plants and animals. Adds nutrients and improves soil structure.
– Water – Found in soil pores and essential for plant growth.
– Air – occupies the spaces between mineral and organic particles.
Different types of soil occur naturally based on the soil components and conditions. Here are some major soil types:
| Soil Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Clay | Made of very fine particles, clay is sticky when wet and hard when dry. |
| Silt | Light and porous, silt feels smooth and floury. |
| Sand | With coarse, gritty particles, sand does not hold water well. |
| Loam | A mix of sand, silt and clay with organic matter. Loam is ideal for gardening. |
| Peat | Dark, organic soil made of decomposed mosses, plants and animals. |
Soil supports the growth of plants by providing physical stability, nutrients, water, and air. Fertile topsoil is essential to natural ecosystems and agriculture.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the envelope of gases surrounding the Earth. Dry air in the atmosphere is made up of:
– Nitrogen – 78%
– Oxygen – 21%
– Argon – 0.9%
– Carbon dioxide – 0.04%
– Other gases – 0.06%
The atmosphere protects us from ultraviolet solar radiation and keeps the Earth warm through the greenhouse effect. The atmosphere also generates weather patterns like wind, rain and storms through complex interactions involving temperature, pressure and moisture gradients.
Key parts of the atmosphere include:
| Atmospheric Layer | Facts |
|---|---|
| Troposphere | Lowest layer where most weather occurs. Contains 75% of the atmosphere’s mass. |
| Stratosphere | Contains the ozone layer which absorbs UV radiation. |
| Mesosphere | Coldest layer with temperatures as low as -100°C. |
| Thermosphere | Absorbs high energy X-rays and UV rays from the sun. |
The atmosphere is intrinsically linked to life on Earth through the gases required for respiration and photosynthesis to occur.
Conclusion
From tiny microbes to enormous mountains, planet Earth abounds with diverse natural elements and phenomena. Awe-inspiring things like weather systems, elements, geological formations, and living organisms all arise through the laws of physics and chemistry operating on matter and energy over billions of years. Studying the many types of things found in nature enables us to appreciate how they came to be and the interconnectedness of all existence on this planet we call home. Taking care of the natural world ensures our own continued thriving as well as the survival of countless other lifeforms.
