Environment and Ecosystem Overview
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Which of the following best defines 'environment' as per the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

  • The social, cultural, and physical conditions affecting survival and growth (correct)
  • The totality of plants, animals, and human influences
  • All living organisms residing in a specific geographical region
  • A complex interaction of flora and fauna within a specific area

    • What is primarily studied in Environmental Science?

  • The interactions of biotic and abiotic components within ecosystems (correct)
  • The relationships between different engineering disciplines
  • The legal frameworks governing environmental protection
  • The social and economic factors affecting environmental policies

    • How does Environmental Engineering contribute to public health?

  • By promoting wildlife conservation through education
  • By developing laws and regulations for environmental protection
  • By applying principles to improve the quality of the environment (correct)
  • By conducting public awareness campaigns on environmental issues

    • What is the focus of Environmental Studies?

    <p>Educating people to preserve environmental quality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following fields are integrated in Environmental Science?

    <p>Physics, Biology, and Geography</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary type of vegetation found in grasslands?

    <p>Grasses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following animals is NOT typically found grazing in grasslands?

    <p>Salmon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do grasslands play in nutrient cycling?

    <p>They contribute to soil fertility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are grasslands economically important to rural communities?

    <p>They serve as grazing areas for livestock.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of tropical grasslands?

    <p>They have a grass height that can reach 3 to 4 meters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of overgrazing in grasslands?

    <p>Degradation of the grassland ecosystem.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ecological function does the presence of carnivorous animals fulfill in grasslands?

    <p>They control insect pest populations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are grasslands divided based on climate?

    <p>By temperature zones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily causes the swelling of bodies designed for saltwater when placed in less salty water?

    <p>Osmosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT classified as an ocean ecosystem?

    <p>Ocean trenches</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main economic importance of estuaries?

    <p>Trapping plant nutrients</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of coral reefs are known for their hard calcium carbonate exoskeletons?

    <p>Hermatypic reefs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is essential for the survival of coral reefs?

    <p>Warm and clear shallow waters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do aquatic ecosystems aid in the purification of water?

    <p>By filtering pollutants through plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements accurately describes the Great Barrier Reef?

    <p>It is the largest coral reef in the world.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following organisms is a classic example of hard coral reefs?

    <p>Sea anemones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic feature of all ecosystems?

    <p>They contain both biotic and abiotic components.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>They can be classified into freshwater and marine subgroups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of forests can be classified based on tree species?

    <p>Coniferous and broadleaved forests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of consumers are elephants and deer categorized as in the forest ecosystem?

    <p>Primary consumers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines grasslands as distinct from other types of ecosystems?

    <p>They are dominated by grasses due to low rainfall.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an abiotic component of a forest ecosystem?

    <p>Fungi.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which climate are tropical forests typically found?

    <p>Warm and rainy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of ecosystem would you classify rivers and lakes as?

    <p>Freshwater ecosystems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does ozone play in the atmosphere?

    <p>It protects life from harmful ultraviolet rays.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a function of the hydrosphere?

    <p>Affects temperature regulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes the biosphere?

    <p>The zone where air, land, and water coexist and support life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary component of the lithosphere?

    <p>Solid Rock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the basic needs of humans provided by the hydrosphere?

    <p>Water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who coined the term 'Ecosystem'?

    <p>AG Tansley</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the Earth interacts with both the atmosphere and hydrosphere?

    <p>Biosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these statements is NOT related to the importance of the atmosphere?

    <p>It generates tectonic activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the primary consumers in a grassland ecosystem?

    <p>Herbivores that feed directly on grasses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of grassland ecosystems?

    <p>Very deep soil rich in organic matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of decomposers in a grassland ecosystem?

    <p>To recycle nutrients back to the soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following types of grasslands are commonly referred to as Savannas?

    <p>Tropical grasslands in Eastern Africa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What abiotic components are essential for plant growth in grasslands?

    <p>Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which regions can grasslands be found?

    <p>Across all altitudes and latitudes with appropriate conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes secondary consumers in grasslands?

    <p>Carnivores that feed on primary consumers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What plants primarily make up the producers in a grassland ecosystem?

    <p>Grasses, along with some herbs and shrubs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Environment and Ecosystem

    • Environment is defined as the social, cultural, and physical conditions surrounding, affecting, and influencing the survival, growth, and development of people, animals, or plants.
    • The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, defines environment as the sum of water, air, and land, and their interrelationships among them and with human beings, other living organisms, and materials.
    • Environmental science studies the environment, its biotic and abiotic components, and their relationships. It is an interdisciplinary field that integrates physics, biology, and geography.
    • Environmental engineering applies engineering principles to protect and enhance environmental quality, and to enhance and protect public health and welfare.
    • Environmental studies educate people on preserving environmental quality.

    Scope of Environmental Science

    • Awareness and sensitivity to environmental problems
    • Motivating participation in environmental protection and improvement
    • Developing skills to identify and solve environmental problems
    • Conservation of natural resources
    • Evaluating environmental programs socially, economically, ecologically, and aesthetically
    • Promoting international cooperation in preventing and solving environmental problems
    • Understanding the current potential and status of resources and environmental situations
    • Understanding the interdependencies of nature and people

    Earth Life Support Systems

    • Earth's system is integrated and divided into four interconnected spheres: geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
    • Energy flows from the sun through the biosphere, cycling nutrients within the biosphere, and influenced by gravity.
    • Atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere are components of the Earth's environment.

    Atmosphere

    • The atmosphere is a layer of air surrounding Earth up to 1500 km.
    • Layers of the atmosphere include exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere, based on temperature distribution with height.
    • Oxygen is essential for living beings. Carbon dioxide is beneficial for plants. Dust particles influence precipitation, while water vapor impacts plants and living beings. Ozone protects life from harmful UV rays.

    Hydrosphere

    • The hydrosphere encompasses all liquid and frozen surface water, and groundwater.
    • Water is crucial for human life, is a component of all living cells, and is vital for regulating temperatures, and the survival of many organisms.

    Lithosphere

    • Lithosphere refers to the solid rock that makes up Earth's surface, including the crust and upper mantle.
    • The significance of the lithosphere is its role in tectonic plate activity and its provision of minerals.

    Biosphere

    • Biosphere is the zone where atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere interact to support life.
    • Biosphere contains living organisms, their interactions with the environment, and all components capable of supporting life.

    Ecosystem

    • Ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) parts that interact.
    • Ecosystems are fundamental functional units for organisms.

    Ecosystem Structure and Composition

    • Ecosystems are composed of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.
    • Biotic components are further sub-classified into producers, consumers, and decomposers.
    • Abiotic components are climatic factors, edaphic factors (soil), and topographic factors.
    • Various types of ecosystems exist, including terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (forests, grasslands, aquatic, and desert ecosystems).

    Terrestrial Ecosystems

    • Terrestrial ecosystems include forests, grasslands, and deserts, categorized further into various types based on climatic conditions and vegetation.

    Grassland Ecosystem

    • Grasslands are dominated by grass; herbivores are primary consumers, carnivores are secondary consumers, and decomposers are responsible for mineral release.

    Desert Ecosystem

    • Desert ecosystems are characterized by low rainfall and high evaporation rates.
    • Desert plants and animals have adaptations suited to the harsh climate.

    Aquatic Ecosystems

    • Aquatic ecosystems are water-based environments, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and oceans.
    • Freshwater ecosystems include streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands and swamps;
    • Marine ecosystems encompass oceans, estuaries, and coral reefs.
    • Nutrient cycling and water purification are key functions in aquatic ecosystems.

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    Environment and Ecosystems PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores the concepts of environment and ecosystems, including definitions, the importance of environmental science, and applications of environmental engineering. It aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and strategies for protection and improvement. Test your knowledge on the interdisciplinary nature of environmental studies!

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