Geography As A Natural Science

Geography, as a discipline, is described as spatial science (study of space), as it explains the physical (in the form of Physical Geography) and cultural (in the form of Human Geography) aspects of the planet Earth and also attempts to establish the relationships between them. And, because of such interdisciplinary characteristics, geography is one of the few subjects that has an integral relationship with almost every subject of natural science as well as social science. However, in this article, we will focus exclusively on its relationship with natural science.

Geography’s Relationship with Natural Science

In order to understand, how geography is related to natural science, first we have to understand all the disciplines of natural science, and then we can establish the relationship. Primarily, following are the core subjects of natural science −

• Biology

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Medical Science

• Geology

• Astronomy

• Atmospheric Sciences

• Hydrology

• Pedology

Physical Geography is the branch of geography that studies the physical aspects of the planet Earth, and it is directly related to natural science subjects. Now, we have already mentioned above the list of natural science subjects; therefore, we will understand, how physical geography is related to these subjects one by one.

Physical Geography’s Relationship with Biology

Biology is one of the branches of natural science that studies about all living organisms and their all essential processes that keep on happening inside the bodies of living organisms, such as respiration, digestion, metabolism, reproduction, excretion, transportation (of blood and other food and nutrients), etc. Further, broadly, biology is classified into two branches, namely, Zoology that focuses on the study of fauna (i.e. all shapes and sizes of living animals or animal kingdoms), such as humans, reptiles, birds, wild animals, insects, and many more. The other one is, Botany, it focuses on the study of flora (i.e. all shapes and sizes of plants or plant kingdoms).

Now, the branch of physical geography that has a relationship with biology is known as biogeography. Biogeography focuses on the study of the regional distribution of animal and plant species and their respective ecosystems. The weather, soil, and temperature are all different in different geographic regions, so the flora and fauna of one geographic region are completely different from those of another. For example, the flora and fauna of the equatorial region are different than those of the tropical region or temperate region. So, geographers, by analysing and explaining the spatial characteristics of a living organism, help biologists understand these living organisms better.

Likewise, biogeography is an integrated branch of physical geography that collects spatial information and concepts from different branches of biology and other subjects, such as ecology, evolutionary biology, taxonomy, geology, palaeontology, and climatology, and presents it meaningfully.

The branch of biogeography that focuses on the study of geographic distribution and types of vegetation (flora) is known as ‘Phytogeography,’ and, on the other hand, the branch of biogeography that focuses on the study of geographic distribution and types of fauna (animal kingdom), is known as ‘Zoogeography.’

Physical Geography’s Relationship with Physics

Physics is one of the branches of natural science that focuses on the study of matter, its fundamental structure, its constituents, and its motion and behaviour through space and time. Besides, it also studies the related entities, such as energy and force.

Geophysics is one of the modern branches of natural science that focuses on the study of the earth’s shape, gravitational and magnetic fields; internal structure and composition; movements of plates (or plate tectonics); the physics of volcanic activity, etc. Likewise, geophysics is the discipline that combines physics, geology, and geography to explain the dynamic characteristics of the planet Earth in totality. For example, gravitational force (which is not uniform rather varies as we move from equatorial region to polar region); fluid dynamics of oceans; physics of wind movements in different geographic regions; physics of water cycle; etc.

Physical Geography’s Relationship with Chemistry

Chemistry is one of the branches of natural science that focuses on the study of matter and its fundamental structure, properties, and behaviours. It is a discipline that studies about the elements, their existence, (chemical) properties, and atomic structures and helps us understand how two or more elements combine to make compounds or/and mixtures. Likewise, chemistry focuses on the structure, composition, properties, and behaviours of different elements and also the changes they undergo during a reaction with another element or compound.

But now the question is — how is geography related to chemistry?

We have discussed above that chemistry is the study of matter and its properties (specifically chemical properties); but these matters or elements are not found everywhere but rather in a specific geographic region. A particular type of substance, which is found in temperate regions, has the least chance of being found in the equatorial region. Geographers explain why a particular type of substance is found in a specific region. Besides, they also explain, in a specific geographic region, what type of matter can be explored. And lastly, if a matter is found in a particular geographic region, then what would be the chemical properties of the matter.

Geochemistry is one of the modern branches of natural science that has evolved with the combination of chemistry, geology, and geography. Geochemistry focuses on the study of different constituents of the earth. Planet earth is broadly classified into three layers, namely crust (the uppermost layer), mantle, and core. Geochemistry focuses on the study of different constituents of these three layers of the planet earth.

Physical Geography’s Relationship with Medical Science

Medical science is one of the branches of natural science that focuses on the study of the structure and functioning of different organs of the human body. In addition to this, it also studies the occasional mal-functioning of a human body, related diseases, and their treatment. Further, it also describes the techniques of diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, palliation, prevention, of a particular disease or some other injury caused by an accident or some other reason, and promotes better health.

For example, there are certain types of diseases that occur in a particular geographic region, for example, cataract in Rajasthan (because of exposure to the ultraviolet rays); goitre, an iodine deficiency disease, in the Siwalik region (i.e. part of the Lesser Himalayan region), etc. Likewise, geography explains, why a particular type of disease occurs in a specific geographic region and it also explains the possibility of some specific type of diseases in a particular geographic region. Likewise, such information helps researchers of medical science to take preventive steps.

Moreover, the branch of physical geography that deals with such geographic region-specific diseases, is known as Medical Geography. Medical geography focuses on understanding the spatial patterns of health and disease in relation to the natural and social environment.

Physical Geography’s Relationship with Geology

Geology is one of the branches of natural science that focuses on the study of the structure of the planet Earth and its constituents on or beneath its surface. Further, it also studies the evolution, history of the earth as a whole (i.e., geological time scale), and all those processes through which these geo-structures are formed.

Geomorphology is the branch of physical geography that focuses on the study of the internal structure of the earth along with its surface features, including different landforms made by wind, rivers, glacial, marine water, etc. In addition to this, it also studies the origin and evolution of topographic features (such as mountains, hills, valleys, plains, plateaus, etc.) and bathymetric features (such as oceanic landforms) of the earth, created by chemical (such as oxidation and reduction), biological (movements of different organisms), or physical (caused by temperature differences, pressure, wind forces, etc.)  processes operating at or near the Earth's surface.

Likewise, the study materials of geomorphology are very much related to geology, but in brief and superficially.

Physical Geography’s Relationship with Astronomy

Astronomy is one of the branches of natural science that focuses on the study of the processes of formation, structure, composition, and characteristics of celestial bodies and their related phenomena. Astronomy is also an interdisciplinary discipline, as it uses physics, mathematics, and chemistry, to explain its process of origin and evolution. Interestingly, the planet Earth is one of the celestial bodies. And, all of us know that geography is all about the study of planet earth. So, the relationship between geography and astronomy is very old and, in fact, the basis of the development of geography as a subject.

It will surprise you to know that the study of geography is linked with the study of astronomy. Eratosthenes, the father of geography, wrote books on astronomy and geography. In addition to this, Hipparchus, the founder of trigonometry, was a famous Greek astronomer and geographer, who worked in the fields of geography and astronomy. Further, one of the best-known scholars in this field was, of course, Claudius Ptolemy. Ptolemy has written classical books, which explain both astronomy and geography. He explained the stars and drew maps, and he also developed some of the new instruments, such as the astrolabe and meteoroscope. So, we can say that geography and astronomy are inseparable, as one cannot be explained without the other.

Physical Geography’s Relationship with Atmospheric Science

Atmospheric science is one of the inter-disciplinary fields of natural science that focuses on the study of the composition, structure, and characteristics of the atmosphere. It involves the study of physics, chemistry, and mathematics to explain the dynamic characteristics of the atmosphere. It also investigates, explains, and predicts the constantly occurring phenomena in the atmosphere, such as patterns of wind systems, the formation of clouds and precipitation, temperature inversions, etc. Weather forecasting is one of the most significant characteristics of atmospheric science.

Now, the question is: how is physical geography related to atmospheric science?

As geographers investigate different spatial and environmental phenomena to establish and explain the relationship between physical aspects of the earth and socio-cultural features of human beings, they also study the structure and composition of the atmosphere to explain the atmospheric phenomena of different geographic regions; such as cyclonic activity, different wind patterns, precipitation, formation and types of clouds, etc.

The branch of geography that defines the atmospheric structure, composition, and phenomena is known as climatology.

Physical Geography’s Relationship with Hydrology

Hydrology is one of the branches of natural science that focuses on the study of the distribution, movements, and other related characteristics of oceans and seas. Furthermore, hydrology is a comprehensive term that includes a wide range of study areas. Therefore, it is broadly subdivided into surface water hydrology, groundwater hydrology (hydrogeology), and marine hydrology.

Geographers, while explaining the different surface landforms, also study about the rivers and their flowing characteristics, as well as oceanic waves, currents, and tides. Furthermore, it also explains the different marine resources, marine bio-diversity, sea water composition, and temperature.

The branch of physical geography that studies the different oceanic features and associated phenomena, is known as oceanography.

Physical Geography’s Relationship with Pedology

Pedology or Soil Science, is one of the branches of natural science that focuses on the study of the formation, distribution, composition, structure, types, and other characteristics of soil. Furthermore, it also explains the physical and chemical properties of soil.

The formation, types, composition, and other related characteristics of soil are directly related to some of the geographic elements and phenomena, such as types of rocks, variation in temperature, river streams, wind, etc., which decide the formation and types of soil. Therefore, without the help of geography, it is difficult to define the formation, composition, and types of soil in a geographic region. Likewise, geographers explain why a particular type of soil is formed in a specific geographic region. They also predict what type of soil would be found in a desert region, or say, in the equatorial region, or in a temperate region, or even in a mountainous region.

The study of soil in geography is very helpful for farmers to produce suitable crops and increase their productivity.

Conclusion

Moreover, geography, which is truly an interdisciplinary subject, has an extensive relationship with almost every subject of science and social science. In addition to this, the development of technology also advanced the cartography, as it incorporates geospatial science, which includes geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (studies satellite imagery and aerial photography), and global positioning systems (GPS).