A hill is a landform that is higher than the surrounding terrain and that is smaller than a mountain. However, there is no formal distinction between a hill and a mountain. Hills are formed a few ways. They are formed by the same type of tectonic activity that forms mountains. Hills also may be formed … Read more
A canyon is a deep steep-walled V-shaped valley cut by a river through resistant rock. Such valleys often occur in the upper courses of rivers, where the stream has a strong swift current that digs its valley relatively rapidly. A river bed will gradually reach a baseline elevation, which is the same elevation as the … Read more
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, or enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The term “garden”, which is of Germanic origin, means “yard” or “enclosure” and denotes ways of organizing earth, water, plants and, sometimes and art (sculpture, architecture …). The history of gardening may … Read more
A marsh is a type of wetland. It is dominated by herbaceous rather than woody plant species. Marshes are formed in several ways. They can be formed by tides in lowland areas near a coast. Rivers often form marshlands on low lying floodplains and near lakes that flood during the wet season. Some marshes are … Read more
A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is that is either covered by water or saturated with water. Wetlands are found all over the world, in every climate from the frozen landscape of Alaska to the hot zones near the equator. They are most abundant in boreal and tropical regions, though a wide variety of … Read more
Meadows are fields of wildflowers and grass that are home to and food for myriad insects that the small mammals and other creatures eat. The word “meadow” comes from the Old English mædwe, which derives from mæþ meaning ‘mown’ and refers to a field where the grass is cut in summer. Meadows may be present … Read more
Geologically, a fjord or fiord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by a glacier. The fjords were formed by glaciers that through several ice ages have shaped the landscape. It is assumed that the enormous, thick glaciers that formed in these valleys were so heavy that they could erode the … Read more
A spring is an opening at or near the surface of the Earth for the discharge of water from underground sources. The word “spring” comes from the German word “springer”, which means “to leap from the ground”. A Spring may flow the whole year or only sometimes. This depends on the water getting into the … Read more
Rainforests are forests characterized by high and continuous rainfall. They cover about 6% of Earth’s surface. Rainforests thrive on every continent except Antarctica. They are Earth’s oldest living ecosystems, with some surviving in their present form for at least 70 million years. Forests like this have extraordinary biodiversity. Estimates vary from 40% to 75% of … Read more