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UNIT 3Ecology Q1) What is the importance of Environment Studies in the current developmental context?A1) Environment is derived from the French word Environner, which mean encircle or surrounding. Environment is a complex of many variables, which surrounds man as well as the living organisms. Environmental studies describe the interrelationships among organisms, the environment and all the factors, which influence life on earth, including atmospheric conditions, food chains, the water cycle, etc. It is a basic science about our earth and its daily activities, and therefore, this science is important for one and all. Scope of environmental studies Environmental studies discipline has multiple and multilevel scopes. This study is important and necessary not only for children but also for everyone. The scopes are summarized as follows: The study creates awareness among the people to know about various renewable and non-renewable resources of the region. The endowment or potential, patterns of utilization and the balance of various resources available for future use in the state of a country are analysed in the study. It provides the knowledge about ecological systems and cause and effect relationships. It provides necessary information about biodiversity richness and the potential dangers to the species of plants, animals and microorganisms in the environment. The study enables one to understand the causes and consequences due to natural and main induced disasters (flood, earthquake, landslide, cyclones etc.,) and pollutions and measures to minimize the effects. It enables one to evaluate alternative responses to environmental issues before deciding an alternative course of action. The study enables environmentally literate citizens (by knowing the environmental acts, rights, rules, legislations, etc.) to make appropriate judgments and decisions for the protection and improvement of the earth. The study exposes the problems of over population, health, hygiene, etc. and the role of arts, science and technology in eliminating/ minimizing the evils from the society. The study tries to identify and develop appropriate and indigenous eco-friendly skills and technologies to various environmental issues. It teaches the citizens the need for sustainable utilization of resources as these resources are inherited from our ancestors to the younger generating without deteriorating their quality. The study enables theoretical knowledge into practice and the multiple uses of environment. Importance of environmental study Environmental study is based upon a comprehensive view of various environmental systems. It aims to make the citizens competent to do scientific work and to find out practical solutions to current environmental problems. The citizens acquire the ability to analyse the environmental parameters like 2 the aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric systems and their interactions with the biosphere and anthrosphere. Q2) Why is Environment Studies crucial in today’s times?A2)World population is increasing at an alarming rate especially in developing countries. The natural resources endowment in the earth is limited. The methods and techniques of exploiting natural resources are advanced. The resources are over-exploited and there is no foresight of leaving the resources to the future generations. The unplanned exploitation of natural resources lead to pollution of all types and at all levels. The pollution and degraded environment seriously affect the health of all living things on earth , including man. The people should take a combined responsibility for the deteriorating environment and begin to take appropriate actions to space the earth. Education and training are needed to save the biodiversity and species extinction. The urban area, coupled with industries, is major sources of pollution. The number and area extinct under protected area should be increased so that the wildlife is protected at least in these sites. The study enables the people to understand the complexities of the environment and need for the people to adapt appropriate activities and pursue sustainable development, which are harmonious with the environment. The study motivates students to get involved in community action, and to participate in various environmental and management projects. It is a high time to reorient educational systems and curricula towards these needs. Environmental studies take a multidisciplinary approach to the study of human interactions with the natural environment. It integrates different approaches of the humanities , social sciences, biological sciences and physical sciences and applies these approaches to investigate environmental concerns. Environmental study is a key instrument for bringing about the changes in the knowledge, values, behaviours and lifestyles required to achieve sustainability and stability within and among countries. Environmental studies deal with every issue that affects an organism. It is essentially a multidisciplinary approach that brings about an appreciation of our natural world and human impacts on its integrity. It is an applied science as it seeks practical answers to making human civilization sustainable on the earth's finite resources. Q3) Explain Environmental study as a multidisciplinary approach?A3) Environmental study is a key instrument for bringing about the changes in the knowledge, values, behaviours and lifestyles required to achieve sustainability and stability within and among countries. Environmental studies deal with every issue that affects an organism. It is essentially a multidisciplinary approach that brings about an appreciation of our natural world and human impacts on its integrity. It is an applied science as it seeks practical answers to making human civilization sustainable on the earth's finite resources. Its components include 1. Biology 2. Geology 3. Chemistry 4. Physics 5. Engineering 6. Sociology 7. Health 8. Anthropology 9. Economics 10. Statistics 11. Philosophy Major environmental issues Man and nature have lived together and as long as man’s wants were in conformity with nature, there was no problem. But unfortunately, man’s ambition for limitless enjoyment and comfort has led him towards the exploitation of nature’s wealth so indiscriminately as to reduce nature’s capacity for self-stabilization. The indiscriminate exploitation of nature over centuries has created numerous environmental problems. Man’s voracious appetite for resources and his desire to conquer nature has put him on collision course with environment. The demands of his explosive technological society impose intense stress on the state of equilibrium with the environment. Major environmental issues threatening mankind are Global warming, water pollution, pesticide pollution, Hazardous waste, biomedical wastes, e waste, and loss of biodiversity India today is one of the first ten industrialized countries of the world. Today we have a good industrial infrastructure in core industries like metals, chemicals, fertilizers, petroleum, food etc. Q4) What is the outcome of disturbing the state of equilibrium with the environment?A4) Pesticides, detergents, plastics, solvents, paints, dyes, food additives etc. Due to progress in atomic energy, there are also been an increase in radioactivity in the biosphere. Besides these there are a number of industrial effluent and emissions particularly poisonous gases in the atmosphere. Mining activities also added to this problem particularly as solid waste. Such activities of man had adverse effect on all forms of living organisms in the biosphere. The earth planet along with the atmosphere (air, land, water) that sustains life is called the Biosphere. Due to lack of development of a culture of pollution control, there has resulted a heavy backlog of gaseous, liquid and solid pollution in our country. The solid wastes which cause pollution are Hazardous waste, pesticides, medical waste etc. they are become the major environmental issues in addition to automobile pollution, climate change, water pollution, pesticide pollution and biodiversity loss in our country and worldwide. Industrial / Vehicular pollutionThe coolest culprits of environmental degradation in metropolitan cities are vehicular and industrial pollution. Since 1975 the Indian economy has grown 2.5 times, the industrial pollution load has grown 3.47 times and the vehicular pollution load 7.5 times, in Delhi, for example 70% of air pollution is caused by vehicular pollution. Thanks to the 3 million vehicles on its roads-while industries account for 17%. The pollutants emitted by the vehicles could produce inflammatory effects on the respiratory organs, could be toxic or even carcinogenic depending upon the fuel type, In India, vehicles primarily run on diesel or petrol. Air pollutants from automobiles Climate Change The rising concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) of anthropogenic origin in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) have increased, since the late 19th century. According to the Third Assessment Report (TAR) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, because of the increase in concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (for e.g., CO2 by 29 per cent, CH4 by 150 per cent and N2O by 15 per cent) in the last 100 years, the mean surface temperature has risen by 0.4–0.8°C globally. The precipitation has become spatially variable and the intensity and frequency of extreme events has increased. The sea level also has risen at an average annual rate of 1–2 mm during this period. The continued increase in concentration of GHG in the atmosphere is likely to lead to climate change resulting in large changes in ecosystems, leading to possible catastrophic disruptions of livelihoods, economic activity, living conditions, and human health. Q5) What is Water pollution and Marine pollution?A5) Water pollution India has 12 major rivers with a total catchments area of 252.8 million hectare. The Indian homes produce about 75 % of the wastewater, and sewage treatment facilities are inadequate in most cities and almost absent in rural India. According to the Central pollution Control Board, of the 8,432 large and medium industries in the country, only 4,989 had installed appropriate measures to treat wastewater before discharge. Of the over two million small scale industrial units, a number of which like tanneries are extremely polluting, very few have any treatment facilities whatsoever and their untreated wastes invariably find their way into country’s water systems. Polluted tank Marine pollution Industrial pollution Poisoned by Pesticides Poisoning from pesticides affects 68,000 farmers and workers every day; annually, an estimated 25 million workers suffer from pesticide poisoning throughout the world. Farmers and agricultural workers are exposed to pesticides directly when they are mixing and spraying these pesticides, especially so in developing countries such as Asia. Every year, about 3 million people are poisoned around the world and 200,000 die from pesticide use. Beyond these reported acute cases of pesticide poisoning, evermore worrying are the chronic long-term effects such as cancers, adverse effects-not only on specific body organs and systems but also on the endocrine system which include reduction in male sperms count and undecided testes as well as increasing incidences of breast cancer. Communities and Consumers are insidiously exposed to pesticides through contamination of the soil, air and water. The chronic effects of pesticides are particularly alarming when new studies link certain pesticides to cancer, lowered fertility and disruption of the endocrine system and to the suppression of immune systems. Q6) What are the struggles faced by plantation workers?A6) The struggles of common plantation workers in Malaysia against the impact of pesticides such as Parquet as their assertion of their rights as workers. The tale of ex-International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) workers in the Philippines poisoned by pesticides used in the IRRI test fields and unfairly healed by IRRI. There were also details about the fisher flock community in Kamukhaan, Philips, that been poisoned, and their environment devastated by Pesticides used in the neighbouring banana plantation. The communities living in Kasar code, Kerala who have been poisoned by Endosulfan, which was aerially sprayed by the plantation corporation of Kerala, India Farming and Agricultural Worker communities in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, who have been poisoned by Pesticides during spraying, Warangal is already in famous for the large number of cotton farmer suicide deaths, one the main reasons during the farmers to suicide in the resistance being developed by pests to pesticides. Pesticides Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PANAD) first launched ‘No Pesticide Use Day’ in 1998 to protest the manufacture and use of pesticides worldwide. The day is held to commemorate the thousand who dies, and the tens of thousands who still suffer and continue to die, as a result of the 1984 Bhopal Disaster. The tragedy of Bhopal is a powerful and poignant example of chemical pesticide contamination; the victims continue to suffer to this day. Pescticides In Soft Drinks Soft drinks are non-alcoholic water-based flavored drinks that are optionally sweetened, acidulated and carbonated. Some carbonated soft drinks also contain caffeine; mainly the brown-colored cola drinks. Q7) Explain the concepts of Environment, Ecology and their interconnectedness?A7) EnvironmentEnvironment refers to the surroundings we live in. It is a combination of physical and biological components. Environment includes all those things on which we are directly or indirectly dependent for our survival, whether it is living component like animals, plants or non-living component like soil, air water.The environment determines the climate and weather that are extremely important to all the biological forms. Any changes in the environment can alter the natural cycles and climatic conditions. The more the life forms to create their habitat, the more resourceful the environment is. EcologyThe term Ecology was coined by Ernst Haeckel. It is the study of relationship between living organisms and environment. Its main components include individuals, species, population, community, and ecosystem. These components are determined on the basis of composition and distribution of resources such as sunlight, heat, water, nutrients, etc. Following table highlights the important difference between environment and ecology:
Q8) What is Ecological Balance?A8) In an ecosystem, the abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) environmental factors keep interacting with one another to maintain a mutual balance called ‘ecological balance’. If by any natural or artificial means this balance is disturbed, it leads to harmful results for mankind as a whole. Environmental studies reveal that this balance is disturbed by unlimited exploitation of natural resources, indiscriminate felling of trees, deforestation, A diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes, killing of wild birds and animals and pollution of every kind water, air, land etc. The latter half of the twentieth century has generated what some environmentalists have called the ‘ecological crisis’, which may be understood as the breakdown of the natural system, thus, jeopardizing the existence of living being in the universe. Life can only survive when there is a balance between different species, when there is interdependence between them. But the moment it is disturbed with one species taking over the others, consuming far more resources than it should and producing a waste immensely harmful for the life of others, the crisis will inevitably surface. The crisis will not be for one life system or the other, rather it will be for all, although some may be affected far more than the others. Because of ecological crisis, some species may become extinct, some may survive precariously, thus, causing imbalance in nature. It is natural synergism, the dependence of one species on the other, which guarantees the continued survival of all. Its collapse is a cause of worry; it generates ecological crisis.The Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has stressed the need for striking a proper balance between economic development and ecological balance. The Commission Chairperson, in a recent order, has said that it is a constitutional duty not only of the State but also of every citizen to protect and improve the environment. He said that the right to life, enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution, includes all those aspects of the life which go to make a man’s life meaningful, complete and worth living, and it also includes right to a decent environment. It would be worthy to mention that industrial development is necessary for the economic growth of the country, but the industrial growth should not be sought to be achieved by haphazard and reckless working resulting in loss of life, properly and public amenities.Q9) What is the Connection of Environment to quality of Human Life?A9) The quality of the local living environment has a direct impact on human health and well-being. An unspoiled environment is a source of satisfaction, improves mental well-being, and allows people to recover from the stresses of everyday life and perform physical activities.Environmental hazards increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma, and many other illnesses. These hazards can be physical, such as pollution, toxic chemicals, and food contaminants, or they can be social, such as dangerous work, poor housing conditions, urban sprawl, and poverty. Poor water quality can lead to gastrointestinal illness and a range of other conditions, including neurological problems and cancer. Some chemicals in and around homes and workplaces can contribute to acute poisonings and other toxic effects.The built environment (such as schools, parks, greenways, and transportation systems) affects both individual health and environmental quality. For example, supporting bicycling as a primary mode of transportation increases physical activity and reduces pollution and accidents from motor vehiclesPesticides disrupt essential biological processes, for example through affecting nerve transmission or mimicking hormones. Thus, human health concerns related to exposure via water, food, or close proximity to spraying have been raised. Due to their intrinsic properties, pesticides can also be harmful to organisms in the wider environment, including freshwater organisms.The benefits of contacts with wildlife and access to safe green spaces for a child’s exploratory, mental and social development have been shown both in urban and rural settings. Health is generally perceived to be better by people living in more natural environments, with agricultural land, forests, grasslands or urban green spaces near the place of residence. Furthermore, the perceived availability of green urban areas has been shown to reduce annoyance due to noise.Q10) What is Environmental degradation. Give the causes and impact on human life? A10) Environmental Degradation: Man being a dominant organism of most ecosystems, controls and modifies environments more extensively than any other organism. In fact, there have been significant changes in the natural environments due to man’s intervention and his rapid progress in colonization, urbanization and technology. Thus, deforestation has provided land for agriculture and rural inhabitation, rural land has been converted in to urban settlements and open spaces are fast vanishing. The mass scale destruction of flora and fauna has become detrimental to ecological balance. Quite ridiculously, much of this environmental degradation is done in the name of economic development. Environmental degradation is the disintegration of the earth or deterioration of the environment through the consumption of assets, for example, air, water and soil; the destruction of environments and the eradication of wildlife; and pollution. It is characterized as any change or aggravation to nature’s turf seen to be pernicious or undesirable. Causes of Environmental degradation:Land disturbance: Numerous weedy plant species like garlic and mustard are foreign and obtrusive which damages land. These plants can assume control over nature, eliminating the local greeneryPollution: Whether Air, water, land or noise is harmful to the environmentOverpopulation: rapid population puts strain on the natural resources. More population simply means more demand for food, clothes and shelter. You need more space to grow food and provide homes to millions of people which in turn causes deforestation.Landfills: These pollute the environment and destroy the beauty of the city. Landfills come within the city due to the large amount of waste that gets generated by households, industries, factories and hospitals. Pose risk to the health of environment and people too. Deforestation: Cutting down of trees to make way for homes and industries. the use of forest land for agriculture, animal grazing, harvest for fuelwood and logging are some of the other causes of deforestation. Deforestation contributes to global warming and decrease forest cover which puts carbon back into environmentNatural causes: Avalanches, quakes, tidal waves, storms, and wildfires can totally crush nearby animal and plant groups to the point where they can no longer survive in thoseImpact of Environmental degradation on Human LifeAtmospheric changes:
Environment degradation often leads to changes in atmosphere. The water cycle and the natural habitat of plants and animals also changes drastically. The natural biodiversity degrades. Air, water and land pollution adds up to promote these atmospheric changes. The climate and the weather changes owing to increased pollution. This in turn increases global warming that can prove harmful to the generations to come. The rate of depletion of ozone layer multiplies rapidly owing to environment degradation. Human health:
This environment degradation has a negative impact on health of humans. Since there is considerable reduction in the quality of air, water and land, the average life span of humans decreases. Lakhs die due to illness caused by pollution. As the quality of air diminishes, lots of people die due to chronic diseases like lung cancer and heart attack. Landfills on the other hand promote environmental degradation. Hazardous waste from these landfills can easily enter the food chain that can further cause biomagnifications. Apart from all these. Dumping of toxic waste by the industries adds to the pollution which dangerously affects the health of the humans. Biodiversity lost:
Due to continuous degradation of the environment, the natural habitat, the forests, and the ecosystem get disrupted. Most of the species are under the threat of extinction. The reproductive capacity, the ability to withstand the changes in temperature and all are disturbed. All these are mainly due to human activity which has caused exploitation of natural resources, acidifying water resources, soil erosion due to large scale deforestation and making the air impure even to breathe. Al these combined has hampered the natural biodiversity.
Environment | Ecology |
Environment refers to the interaction between the physical, chemical and biological components. | Ecology is the study of relationship between organisms and their environment |
The environmental issues include pollution, deforestation, global warming, and other broader issues. | The ecological issues include population size, diversity, distribution of organisms, and also the competition between them. |
Studies the internal and external factors affecting the environment. | Aims to understand life process, distribution, adaptation and biodiversity. |
Environment degradation often leads to changes in atmosphere. The water cycle and the natural habitat of plants and animals also changes drastically. The natural biodiversity degrades. Air, water and land pollution adds up to promote these atmospheric changes. The climate and the weather changes owing to increased pollution. This in turn increases global warming that can prove harmful to the generations to come. The rate of depletion of ozone layer multiplies rapidly owing to environment degradation. Human health:
This environment degradation has a negative impact on health of humans. Since there is considerable reduction in the quality of air, water and land, the average life span of humans decreases. Lakhs die due to illness caused by pollution. As the quality of air diminishes, lots of people die due to chronic diseases like lung cancer and heart attack. Landfills on the other hand promote environmental degradation. Hazardous waste from these landfills can easily enter the food chain that can further cause biomagnifications. Apart from all these. Dumping of toxic waste by the industries adds to the pollution which dangerously affects the health of the humans. Biodiversity lost:
Due to continuous degradation of the environment, the natural habitat, the forests, and the ecosystem get disrupted. Most of the species are under the threat of extinction. The reproductive capacity, the ability to withstand the changes in temperature and all are disturbed. All these are mainly due to human activity which has caused exploitation of natural resources, acidifying water resources, soil erosion due to large scale deforestation and making the air impure even to breathe. Al these combined has hampered the natural biodiversity.
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