Landscapes & Weather
Almost every place on Earth harbors life, but under different conditions, resulting in an amazing number of diverse habitats. Further, these environments change due to the effects of seasons, weather, and the organisms themselves.
Agricultural Land & WaterHow humans utilize land to yield food and other natural products is reflected in these images of agricultural lands and waters. Arid EnvironmentsSome exceptionally tolerant plants and animals are included in these desert images. CavesOnly by applying light can one really visualize – and record in images – underground environments. GeologyGeology is the study of Earth's history and processes. These images of soils, minerals, rocks, fossils and geological proccesses are examples of geology's wide scope in the study of nature. GrasslandsThe steppes, prairies, llanos, pampas, savannas, meadows, and rangelands of the world are all forms of grasslands – lands that can get very dry, and that are dominated by grass or grass-like species. ForestsIn a forest, trees grow close to one another, forming a predominantly continuous canopy. Mountains & MesasMountains, mesas, and buttes are the remnants of land that has been pushed above the surrounding landscape and then eroded. |
Scrubs & HeathsDue to poor soil, fire, or other major disturbances, some habitats contain only small woody shrubs and other low vegetation. Thus scrublands, heaths, and moorlands of the world can present wide vistas. Snow & IceFrom random patches of ice to a forest blanketed with snow, this collection of images is growing to include the many beautiful varieties of frozen water. Urban EnvironmentsThe word "urban" is used to describe environments within a city, but this collection also includes other types of developed environments: suburbs, villages, roads and more. Volcanic EnvironmentsAlthough many images in this collection are of stark, moonscape-like scenes after recent volcanic activity, many are of lush, healthy ecosystems within craters or other geothermal sites. Water & WetlandsAs illustrated by this collection, a "body of water" can be a tiny rain puddle, a powerful ocean, or anything in between. WeatherWeather, from fog to droughts to monsoons, is the dramatic, driving force that shapes where habitats occur; see also the Snow and Ice folder for more images. |