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Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of environmental studies?
What is the primary focus of environmental studies?
Which branch of environmental science focuses primarily on living organisms?
Which branch of environmental science focuses primarily on living organisms?
Which of the following is NOT considered a major environmental problem?
Which of the following is NOT considered a major environmental problem?
What type of approach does environmental science require?
What type of approach does environmental science require?
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How do forests contribute ecologically to the environment?
How do forests contribute ecologically to the environment?
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Which of the following does environmental science NOT focus on?
Which of the following does environmental science NOT focus on?
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What has prompted the need for extensive environmental studies?
What has prompted the need for extensive environmental studies?
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How do forests help in controlling floods?
How do forests help in controlling floods?
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Which of the following describes a key role of forests in the hydrological cycle?
Which of the following describes a key role of forests in the hydrological cycle?
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What is the primary cause of deforestation?
What is the primary cause of deforestation?
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Which economic benefit is NOT directly provided by forests?
Which economic benefit is NOT directly provided by forests?
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What percentage of the global land area is currently covered by forests?
What percentage of the global land area is currently covered by forests?
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What effect does deforestation have on soil?
What effect does deforestation have on soil?
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Which of the following practices contributes to the loss of forests?
Which of the following practices contributes to the loss of forests?
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How do forests contribute to the climate?
How do forests contribute to the climate?
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What role do forests play in the ecosystem besides economic benefits?
What role do forests play in the ecosystem besides economic benefits?
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Which of the following is NOT a consequence of intensifying greenhouse effects?
Which of the following is NOT a consequence of intensifying greenhouse effects?
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What percentage of the hydrosphere is constituted by oceans?
What percentage of the hydrosphere is constituted by oceans?
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How much water is estimated to remain in the top soil layers after seepage?
How much water is estimated to remain in the top soil layers after seepage?
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What is the annual rainfall estimate in India?
What is the annual rainfall estimate in India?
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Which of the following accurately represents a characteristic of an ecosystem?
Which of the following accurately represents a characteristic of an ecosystem?
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What represents the actual enrichment of underground water?
What represents the actual enrichment of underground water?
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Which option describes the main reason why water is essential for life?
Which option describes the main reason why water is essential for life?
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What is a major consequence of economic loss due to damages of agricultural crops?
What is a major consequence of economic loss due to damages of agricultural crops?
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What is the primary function of producers in an ecosystem?
What is the primary function of producers in an ecosystem?
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Which category do animals like cats and snakes fall into within the food chain?
Which category do animals like cats and snakes fall into within the food chain?
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What do decomposers contribute to an ecosystem?
What do decomposers contribute to an ecosystem?
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Which of the following best describes tertiary consumers?
Which of the following best describes tertiary consumers?
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What is the main difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs?
What is the main difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs?
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Which of the following organisms are considered decomposers?
Which of the following organisms are considered decomposers?
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Which level of the food chain occupies the role of herbivores?
Which level of the food chain occupies the role of herbivores?
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What role do abiotic components play in an ecosystem?
What role do abiotic components play in an ecosystem?
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Study Notes
Introduction
- Environmental studies is a multidisciplinary field.
- The term "environment" refers to surroundings, often used abstractly.
- Surroundings can be natural, man-made, physical, chemical, or biotic.
- The environment is a complex system where many things interact with each other and organisms.
Environmental Studies
- Environmental studies examine every issue impacting living beings on Earth.
- It studies the relationships between living creatures and their environment.
Environmental Science
- It's a science seeking practical ways to make human civilization sustainable using Earth's finite resources.
- This field considers the atmosphere, land, oceans, and their chemical cycles.
- It is increasingly becoming interdisciplinary, preparing people for global citizenship and promoting good decision-making.
Major Environmental Problems
- Overpopulation
- Pollution
- Depletion of resources
- Global changes
- Wars
Forest Resources (Ecological)
- Forests help balance oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
- They regulate temperature and the hydrological cycle.
- They lessen rain and wind, increasing atmospheric moisture and preventing droughts.
- Forests minimize climate fluctuations and control floods.
- They act as windbreaks, protecting farmland.
Forest Resources (Economic)
- Forests provide shelter for wildlife.
- They yield timber for construction and various resources for different needs.
- Forests produce essential materials like bamboo, resins, gums, medicines, honey, etc.
Exploitation of Forests
- Rapid population growth and industrialization lead to deforestation.
- The depletion of forests causes several environmental issues.
- Many developing countries have lost substantial portions of their forests due to conversion for agriculture.
Deforestation
- Deforestation is the temporary or permanent removal of forest cover from forest land.
- It involves the destruction of natural forests and woodlands, excluding plantations.
- Deforestation resulted in creating village settlements and farmland.
- Excessive deforestation has contributed to environmental issues.
- Global forest coverage has significantly reduced, from 70% to 16%.
Effects of Deforestation
- Soil erosion
- Increased sediment load in rivers
- Reservoir siltation, causing floods and droughts
- Increased greenhouse effect
- Increased storm intensity
- Reduced raw materials supply and timber
- Extinction/ endangerment of species
- Disruption of carbon and water cycles
- Economic hardship
Water Resources
- Water is crucial for all life and shaped human life through its need for survival, conservation, and use.
- It's essential for sustaining life on Earth.
- Water forms are in the ecosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.
- A small percentage of water is usable for humans.
- Oceans account for most of the Earth's water (97%).
- Freshwater is a limited resource.
- Only 30% of available water is fit for human use.
Surface Water Resources
- India's annual rainfall is equivalent to 3700 billion cubic meters.
- 1250 billion cubic meters are lost through evapotranspiration, and 790 billion cubic meters seep into the soil.
- 1660 billion cubic meters flow as surface water.
- Other rivers (44 medium, 35 minor) are mainly seasonal.
Ground Water Resources
- About 430 billion cubic meters remain in the topsoil, providing moisture for vegetation.
- An additional 360 billion cubic meters percolate, forming groundwater.
- Only about 225 billion cubic meters of groundwater are economically extractable.
Ecosystem Concept
- Ecosystems combine living organisms with their non-living surroundings.
- They are stable systems resulting from biotic and abiotic interactions.
- Ecosystems are self-sufficient natural units.
- They involve the interaction of organisms and their physical environment.
- The concept of an ecosystem was introduced.
Ecosystem Components
- Biotic: Living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms)
- Abiotic: Non-living factors (water, soil, sunlight)
Food Chains
- Producers: Green plants; they use chlorophyll to trap solar energy and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
-
Consumers: Animals; they depend on producers for food.
- Primary Consumers (Herbivores): Feed on plants (e.g., rabbits, deer).
- Secondary Consumers (Carnivores): Feed on herbivores (e.g., cats, foxes).
- Tertiary Consumers (Carnivores): Feed on secondary consumers (e.g., wolves).
- Quaternary Consumers (Carnivores): Omnivores that eat other consumers (e.g., lions, tigers).
- Decomposers: Fungi and bacteria; they break down organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment.
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Description
This quiz provides an introduction to environmental studies, outlining its interdisciplinary nature and major environmental problems. Explore the relationships between living beings and their surroundings while considering sustainability and resource management. Prepare for global citizenship and effective decision-making regarding ecological issues.
