Gesamtheit der Faktoren, die auf einen Organismus von außen einwirken u. ihn beeinflussen. Die Lehre von der U. wurde von J. von Uexküll (für das einzelne tier. Individuum) begr. Die Lehre von den Beziehungen zw. den Organismen u. ihrer U. ist die Ökologie.
1. Concerned with the ecological effects of altering the environment.
2. Of or relating to the external conditions or surroundings.
ETYM Cf. French environnement.
In ecology, the sum of conditions affecting a particular organism, including physical surroundings, climate, and influences of other living organisms. See also biosphere and habitat.
In common usage, “the environment” often means the total global environment, without reference to any particular organism. In genetics, it is the external influences that affect an organism’s development, and thus its phenotype.
1. The area in which something exists or lives; SYN. environs, surroundings, surround.
2. The totality of surrounding conditions.