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Questions and Answers
What primarily causes economic water scarcity?
By 2025, how many people are expected to live in regions with absolute water scarcity?
Which solution is NOT mentioned as a way to address water scarcity?
What is one of the main advantages of underground water storage?
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Which region has the largest number of water-stressed countries?
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Which of the following is a method of urban rainwater harvesting?
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What type of practices can help in reducing agricultural water demand?
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What conservational effort was launched in 2010 to address water issues?
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What does intergenerational equity emphasize?
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Which principle deals with the distribution of resources within the same generation?
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What does carrying capacity in a region typically refer to?
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What are the two parts of carrying capacity defined in the content?
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What is the primary goal of the 3R’s approach?
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What does supportive capacity assess?
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When does pollution occur in relation to assimilative capacity?
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Promoting environmental education is important for which aspect of sustainable development?
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What are heterotrophs primarily dependent on for their nutrition?
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Which group includes bacteria and fungi that decompose organic matter?
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Which aspect of Environmental Studies focuses on the balance of ecosystems?
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What is one of the primary goals of Sustainable Development?
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Which of the following is NOT considered a biotic component?
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What role does Environmental Engineering play in society?
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Which factor is NOT related to the scope of Environmental Studies?
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Which of the following is a benefit of Environmental Studies?
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What does the Central Ministry for Drinking Water and Sanitation aim to achieve with the Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of soil?
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What is the significance of making rainwater harvesting mandatory in various states in India?
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Which horizons make up the soil profile?
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The significant role of soil in nutrient cycles primarily relates to which aspect?
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Which layer of the soil profile is known as saprolite?
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What is the primary focus of renewable policies related to rainwater harvesting in India?
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Which process describes the weathering of mineral materials into soil?
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What is the primary characteristic of agricultural practices that help prevent soil erosion?
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Which type of erosion is often caused primarily by human activities?
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What is a significant biotic factor contributing to soil erosion?
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What method can be used to stabilize soil and reduce erosion caused by water flow?
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Which practice involves growing crops in alternating strips to minimize erosion?
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What is a primary goal of World Soil Day?
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Which of the following is known as an effective way to combat wind-induced soil erosion?
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Which of the following agricultural practices involves planting vegetation to reduce soil erosion on slopes?
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Study Notes
Consumers and Decomposers
- Heterotrophs are organisms that obtain food from producers.
- Categories of consumers:
- Primary consumers (herbivores)
- Secondary consumers (carnivores that eat herbivores)
- Tertiary consumers (top predators)
- Decomposers, like bacteria and fungi, recycle dead organic matter into simpler substances.
Abiotic Components
- Refers to all non-living elements in an environment.
Environmental Science
- An interdisciplinary field that merges physical and biological sciences to tackle environmental issues.
Environmental Engineering
- Applies science and engineering principles to enhance environmental quality and promote healthy living conditions.
Environmental Studies
- A broad interdisciplinary examination of human-environment interactions, incorporating arts, commerce, climatology, and geography.
Importance of Environmental Studies
- Aids in understanding and addressing environmental challenges.
- Maintains ecological balance and fosters sustainable development.
- Educates on environmental duties and integrates economy with environmental policy.
- Promotes biodiversity protection and sustainable agricultural practices.
Scope of Environmental Studies
- Encompasses various elements, including:
- Ecosystem structure and function
- Ecology and biodiversity
- Natural resource conservation
- Environmental pollution control
- Social development and environmental journalism
Sustainable Development
- Development that fulfills present needs without jeopardizing future generations’ ability to meet theirs.
- Key principles include inter-generational and intra-generational equity.
Carrying Capacity
- Defined as the maximum number of individuals of a species that an ecosystem can support.
- Divided into:
- Supporting capacity: Resource availability and regeneration.
- Assimilative capacity: Environment's ability to manage waste without harm.
Water Scarcity
- Impacts around 700 million people in 43 countries.
- By 2025, 1.8 billion people may experience absolute water scarcity.
- Climate change could exacerbate water stress, potentially affecting 2/3 of the global population by 2030.
Solutions to Water Crisis
- Implement demand reduction strategies and water-efficient agricultural practices.
- Promote recycling and reuse in industries.
- Utilize rainwater harvesting methods.
- Monitor and improve water policies, like the National Water Mission.
Water Harvesting
- Techniques for collecting and storing rainwater include digging pits, constructing dams, and rooftop collection systems.
- Underground storage has numerous advantages, such as reduced evaporation and less pollution.
Soil Resources
- Land resources are essential for meeting human needs, with pedology as the scientific study of land.
- Soil consists of layers (horizons) that contain minerals, organic matter, air, and water.
Soil Functions
- Important roles include nutrient cycling, agricultural support, water storage, and pollutant degradation.
Soil Erosion
- Defined as the removal of topsoil due to climatic and biotic factors, leading to reduced soil quality.
- Types include geologic erosion and anthropogenic erosion, with causes ranging from deforestation to poor agricultural practices.
Methods of Soil Erosion Control
- Techniques include conservation till farming, contour farming, terracing, strip cropping, agroforestry, and afforestation.
International Soil Conservation
- World Soil Day is celebrated annually on December 5 to raise awareness of healthy soil and promote sustainable soil management practices.
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Description
This quiz covers key concepts in Environmental Science, including the roles of consumers and decomposers, abiotic components, and the importance of environmental studies. Explore how these elements intertwine to enhance our understanding of ecological balance and environmental quality.
