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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of freshwater ecosystems?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of freshwater ecosystems?
Which organisms are typically found in lotic ecosystems?
Which organisms are typically found in lotic ecosystems?
What distinguishes lentic ecosystems from lotic ecosystems?
What distinguishes lentic ecosystems from lotic ecosystems?
Which of the following environments is NOT a type of marine habitat?
Which of the following environments is NOT a type of marine habitat?
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Which factor makes it challenging for freshwater organisms to survive in marine habitats?
Which factor makes it challenging for freshwater organisms to survive in marine habitats?
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What is the core focus of Environmental Science?
What is the core focus of Environmental Science?
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Which of the following best defines Environmental Engineering?
Which of the following best defines Environmental Engineering?
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What does the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 describe as the environment?
What does the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 describe as the environment?
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Which component is NOT included in the definition of the environment?
Which component is NOT included in the definition of the environment?
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What is the primary goal of Environmental Studies?
What is the primary goal of Environmental Studies?
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The term 'biocentric' best relates to which aspect of environmental science?
The term 'biocentric' best relates to which aspect of environmental science?
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Which option accurately describes an interdisciplinary approach in Environmental Science?
Which option accurately describes an interdisciplinary approach in Environmental Science?
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What type of vegetation predominates in grassland ecosystems?
What type of vegetation predominates in grassland ecosystems?
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Which of the following animals are commonly found grazing in grasslands?
Which of the following animals are commonly found grazing in grasslands?
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What is a primary function of grassland ecosystems?
What is a primary function of grassland ecosystems?
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How do grasslands help in maintaining soil quality?
How do grasslands help in maintaining soil quality?
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Which human activity significantly threatens grassland ecosystems?
Which human activity significantly threatens grassland ecosystems?
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What is one significant economic use of grasslands for rural communities?
What is one significant economic use of grasslands for rural communities?
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Which characteristic distinguishes tropical grasslands from other ecosystems?
Which characteristic distinguishes tropical grasslands from other ecosystems?
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What role do carnivorous animals in grasslands primarily serve?
What role do carnivorous animals in grasslands primarily serve?
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In terms of climate, how are grasslands generally classified?
In terms of climate, how are grasslands generally classified?
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What is a common characteristic of the fauna in grassland ecosystems?
What is a common characteristic of the fauna in grassland ecosystems?
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Which component of an ecosystem is responsible for synthesizing food using sunlight?
Which component of an ecosystem is responsible for synthesizing food using sunlight?
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What characterizes the dynamic nature of ecosystems?
What characterizes the dynamic nature of ecosystems?
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Which of the following is NOT a role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
Which of the following is NOT a role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
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What type of organisms are considered consumers in an ecosystem?
What type of organisms are considered consumers in an ecosystem?
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Which abiotic factor does NOT belong to climatic factors in an ecosystem?
Which abiotic factor does NOT belong to climatic factors in an ecosystem?
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What term refers to organisms that cannot synthesize their own food?
What term refers to organisms that cannot synthesize their own food?
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Which of the following is an example of a chemoautotroph?
Which of the following is an example of a chemoautotroph?
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What role do producers play in an ecosystem?
What role do producers play in an ecosystem?
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Which of these factors does NOT affect the flow rates of nutrients in an ecosystem?
Which of these factors does NOT affect the flow rates of nutrients in an ecosystem?
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Which animals are commonly found in tropical grasslands?
Which animals are commonly found in tropical grasslands?
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What characterizes the vegetation of temperate grasslands?
What characterizes the vegetation of temperate grasslands?
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Which type of grasslands is primarily found in India?
Which type of grasslands is primarily found in India?
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Which herbivores are typically found in grassland ecosystems?
Which herbivores are typically found in grassland ecosystems?
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What is a defining feature of desert ecosystems?
What is a defining feature of desert ecosystems?
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Which plant adaptations are typical in desert ecosystems?
Which plant adaptations are typical in desert ecosystems?
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Which type of organisms serve as decomposers in desert ecosystems?
Which type of organisms serve as decomposers in desert ecosystems?
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What ecological role do dry conditions in deserts promote?
What ecological role do dry conditions in deserts promote?
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What important mineral accumulation occurs in desert soils?
What important mineral accumulation occurs in desert soils?
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What characterizes the aquatic ecosystem?
What characterizes the aquatic ecosystem?
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Study Notes
Environment and Ecosystem
- Environment originated from the French word "Environner", meaning to encircle or surround.
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 defines environment as the sum of water, air, and land, and their interrelationships with human beings, other living organisms, and materials.
- Environment encompasses social, cultural, and physical conditions surrounding, affecting, and influencing survival, growth, and development of people, animals, and plants.
Environmental Science
- Environmental science is an interdisciplinary study of the environment, its biotic and abiotic components, and their relationships.
- It integrates physics, biology, and geography to study the environment and solve environmental problems.
- Environmental science examines how humans interact with the living and non-living components of their environment.
Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Engineering applies engineering principles to protect and enhance environmental quality, and to improve public health and welfare.
Environmental Studies/Education
- Environmental studies aim to educate people about preserving environmental quality.
Scope of Environmental Science
- Awareness and sensitivity towards environmental problems
- Active participation in environmental protection
- Developing skills to solve environmental issues
- Understanding the importance of conserving natural resources.
- Assessing environmental programs (considering social, economic, ecological, and aesthetic factors).
- Promoting cooperation (local, national, and international) for environmental prevention and solutions.
- Providing a clear picture of available resources and understanding environmental situations.
- Providing an understanding of the interconnectedness of nature and people.
Importance of Environmental Science
- Directly relates to quality of life
- Importance of sustainable development
- Knowledge of various environmental types and effects of hazards
- Understanding the effective role in protecting the environment and promoting changes in laws and enforcement systems
- Promoting respect and concern for the environment
Earth Life Support Systems
- The Earth system comprises the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
- These components are interconnected and support life through energy flow (from the sun), nutrient cycling, and gravity.
- The major elements/spheres of the environment include: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
Atmosphere
- The atmosphere is a layer of air up to 1500 km surrounding Earth.
- It has distinct layers based on temperature variations (exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere).
- Oxygen is essential for living beings; carbon dioxide is vital for plants.
- Dust particles influence precipitation, and water vapor impacts plant and animal life; ozone protects from harmful UV rays.
Hydrosphere
- Hydrosphere encompasses all liquid and frozen surface waters (oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater.)
- It plays a vital role in human life through drinking water, food, transport, and more.
- The water cycle (hydrological cycle) is an important process in the hydrosphere, influencing weather patterns and all life cycles.
Lithosphere
- The lithosphere is the solid part of the Earth, including the crust and uppermost mantle.
- It is significant due to tectonic plate activity and its role of supporting life.
Biosphere
- The biosphere is the zone where the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere interact.
- It supports all forms of life.
Ecosystem
- Ecosystem is a natural unit composed of biotic and abiotic components.
- It includes interactions between living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms) and nonliving components (soil, water, air, sunlight) which exchange materials to form a stable system
- Example, a pond ecosystem
Ecosystem Structure
-
Abiotic Components:
- Climatic factors: rain, light, wind, temperature
- Edaphic factors: soil pH, soil minerals, soil water
- Topographical factors: aspect, altitude
-
Biotic Components:
- Producers (autotrophs): plants, algae, that manufacture food
- Consumers (heterotrophs): herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, that consume food
- Decomposers (saprotrophs): bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter
Ecosystem Functions
- Regulates biological energy flow
- Controls nutrient cycling
- Influences biological regulation
Types of Ecosystem
- Terrestrial (forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra)
- Aquatic (freshwater, marine)
Freshwater Ecosystem
- Lentic: standing water (lakes, ponds, bogs)
- Lotic: flowing water (rivers, streams)
Marine Ecosystem
- Oceans, seas, estuaries, coral reefs, coastal regions
- Coral reefs are formed from skeletons of marine organisms.
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Description
Dive into the fundamentals of environmental science and ecosystems. This quiz covers the definitions, components, and the interdisciplinary nature of environmental studies. Explore how human interactions with the environment can impact ecological balance.
