Definition, Scope and Importance of Environment

UNIT I

Chapter - 1

Environment and Biodiversity

Syllabus

Definition, scope and importance of environment - need for public awareness. Eco-system and Energy flow - ecological succession. Types of biodiversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity - values of biodiversity, India as a mega-diversity nation - hot - spots of biodiversity - threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man - wildlife conflicts - endangered and endemic species of India - conservation of biodiversity : In-situ and ex-situ.

Contents

1.1 Definition, Scope and Importance of Environment

1.2 Need of Public Awareness

1.3 Structure of Atmosphere

1.4 Ecosystems (Structure and Function)

1.5 Structure and Components of an Ecosystem

1.6 Energy Flow in Ecosystem

1.7 Functions of Ecosystem

1.8 Ecosystem Types

1.9 Biodiversity

1.10 Values of Biodiversity

1.11 Hot-spots of Biodiversity

1.12 Threats to Biodiversity

1.13 Conservation of Biodiversity

1.14 Two Marks Questions with Answers

Definition, Scope and Importance of Environment

1. Definitions

Environment

• The environment is defined as, "the whole physical and biological system in which man and other organisms live". Environmental studies involves every issue that affects living organisms.

Environmental science

• Environmental science is a study that deals with the functioning of nature and interconnections between various things in the nature.

• Various interacting components of environment are biology, geology, chemistry, physics, engineering, sociology, health and economics. Positive and realistic planning is needed to balance them. Therefore, environmental science is essentially a multidisciplinary approach.

2. Scope

• Our natural landscape consists of forest, river, desert, rocks, minerals and soil. These landscapes are transformed into villages, town or cities by human beings. Even though we live in cities, the food grains are supplied from villages surrounding. It means that our daily life is linked with surrounding environment. We need water, air to survive and other day-to- day activities which are part of environment.

• Human beings are greatly depend on nature or environment. Therefore environmental resources like water, trees, minerals, food, energy, land must be preserved in their natural form.

• Now a days, because of technological advancements more foods can be grown by using fertilizers and pesticides, also construction of dams leads to environmental degradation.

• Most environmental resources like-water, minerals, petroleum products, wood etc. are being extracted continuously. Ecologists and environmental scientists have recognised that if these resources are consumed in this way it will degrade and deplete natural environment.

• A distinguishing characteristic of many environmental resources is that they are non- producible : If the natural resource is exhausted, it is not possible to reproduce them in original form. If we continue to extract them, they may not be available for future generations.

3. Importance

• Environmental studies involves multidisciplinary approach. Environmental resources play a multifunctional role as they command market prices. Any scarce natural resource (rarely available) will cost more as its supply is less e.g. wood, water.

• Huge amount of nature's clean water is being polluted and wasted. Waste by products of chemical process pollute water and gases are polluting air.

• Deforestation (cutting of trees) leads to increasing environment temperature, dry rivers, unavailability of fresh air. The accumulated effect of all above factors causes unhealthy atmosphere to human beings by giving variety of diseases.

• The misuse or waste of natural resources can be stopped by spreading awareness to preserve the nature or environment. All must contribute for safeguarding of environment and by preventing environmental damage.