4. Read the information about earth sciences paying attention on the disciplines mentioned bellow.

The earth sciences examine the structure and composition of our planet, and the physical processes that have helped to shape it.

Geology focuses on the structure of Earth, while geography is the study of everything on the planet's surface, including the physical changes that humans have brought about from, for example, farming, mining, or deforestation.

Scientists in the field of geomorphology study Earth's present landforms, while mineralogists investigate the minerals in Earth's crust and the way they formed.

Water dominates Earth's surface, making it an important subject for scientific research. Oceanographers carry out research in the oceans, while scientists working in the field of hydrology investigate water resources on land, a subject of vital interest in areas prone to drought.

Glaciologists study Earth's icecaps and mountain glaciers, and the effects that ice has when it forms, melts, or moves.

In atmospheric science, meteorology deals with day-to-day changes in weather, but climatology investigates changes in weather patterns over the longer term .

When living things die their remains are sometimes preserved, creating a rich store of scientific information. Paleontology is the study of plant and animal remains that have been preserved in sedimentary rock, often millions of years ago. Paleontologists study things long dead and their findings shed light on the history of evolution and on the origin and development of humans.

A related science, called palynology, is the study of fossilized spores and pollen grains. Scientists study these tiny structures to learn the types of plants that grew in certain areas during Earth’s history, which also helps identify what Earth’s climates were like in the past.

5. Match the term with its definition.

geology	deals with research in the oceans.
geography	studies Earth's icecaps and mountain glaciers, and the effects that ice has when it forms, melts, or moves.
geomorphology	is the study of everything on the planet's surface.
mineralogy	investigates changes in weather patterns over the longer term
oceanography	is the study of the minerals in Earth's crust and the way of their formation.
hydrology	deals with day-to-day changes in weather.
glaciology	is the study of Earth’s structure.
meteorology	is the study of plant and animal remains that have been preserved in sedimentary rock.
paleontology	is the study Earth's present landforms.
palynology	investigates water resources on land.
climatology	is the study of fossilized spores and pollen grains.

6. Read the text bellow and say why there is a great demand in experts in the field of ecology in our region.

The Kola Peninsula is situated beyond the Arctic Circle, in the Far North of Russia. It has coastline with the Barents Sea and the White Sea. The landscape is diverse: there are high mountain areas, forests and bog areas, tundra.

Thanks to the Gulf Stream the climate is milder than the latitude promises, but the ecosystems in the region are dominated by relatively few species as is normal in cold areas. Compared with the ecosystems further south, there are simpler ecological associations and less complex food chains. This means that the ecosystems in the region are more vulnerable to harmful influences from human activities.

The lives of the people here have been, and are, based upon exploitation of the wealth in nature. In earlier times, this meant what the fisheries, reindeer and forests provided. In the 20th century, hydroelectric power production and extraction and processing of minerals have become very important, in addition to the fisheries, agriculture and forestry. The new ways of utilizing nature, together with the fact that the traditional ways are now pursued more intensively have led to extensive damages to nature: the Kola Peninsula is one of the seventeen ecological disaster areas and it is the most polluted area in the entire north of Russia.

In order to preserve what remains of unspoiled nature and to prevent additional deterioration of what has already been affected every one must take consideration of the environment in his or her daily tasks.