UNIT 1 : ECOSYSTEM AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Definition, Scope and importance of Environmental science; Concept, Structure

and functions of an Ecosystem;Bio-geographical classification of India; Value of
biodiversity; Need for Public awareness towards conservation.
• The word environment is derived from FRENCH word ENVIRONNER which
means to encircle or surround.
• Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field that explores the
interactions between the natural world and human activities. It
encompasses the various aspects of the environment including the
physical, chemical and biological processes that shape our planet, as well
as the social, economic and political factors that influence environmental
issues.
• Environmental Science provides a framework for understanding the
complex relationship between natural resources, pollution, climate
change and other environmental issues and helps to develop solutions to
mitigate and adapt to these challenges.
• SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE:
The scope of environmental science is broad and encompasses many
different disciplines and topics. It involves studying the interactions
between humans and the environment, understanding the impact of
human activities on ecosystems and developing strategies for sustainable
resource management and environmental conservation. Some of the key
areas within the scope of Environmental Science are:
1. Earth Systems – Environmental Science examines the various
components of the Earth System including the
atmosphere,hydrosphere,lithosphere and biosphere. It explores
the processes and cycles that occur within these systems such as
the water cycle, carbon cycle and nutrient cycling.
2. Biodiversity and conservation- It focuses on understanding and
conserving the diversity of life on Earth.
3. Pollution and Environmental Health – It investigates the sources,
distribution and impacts of various forms of pollution on human
health and ecosystems.
4. Natural Resource Management – This area of study focuses on the
sustainable use and management of natural resources such as
forests, water, minerals and energy sources.
 5. Climate change and global environmental issues- It plays a crucial
role in studying and addressing climate change including mitigation
and adaptation strategies. It also explores other global
environmental issues like deforestation, desertification, loss of
biodiversity and land degradation.
6. Environmental policy and Governance – It examines the social,
economic and political factors that shape environmental decision
making and policy development.
7. Sustainability and Resilience – It seeks to promote sustainability by
balancing human needs with the protection and conservation of
natural resources and ecosystems.
The scope of EVS is continually evolving as new challenges and
opportunities arise. It integrates knowledge and approaches from
various disciplines to provide a holistic understanding of
environmental issues and develop solutions for a more sustainable
and resilient future.
• IMPORTANCE OF EVS
1. It helps us understand the causes, impacts and interconnectedness
of various environmental issues such as climate change, pollution,
habitat destruction and resource depletion.
2. It contributes to the conservation and preservation of biodiversity.
3. It helps in sustainable resource management which is vital for long-
term availability of resources and minimizing environmental
degradation.
4. It helps in climate change mitigation and adaptation. It helps assess
greenhouse gas emissions, study climate patterns and their impacts
and evaluate renewable energy options.
5. It helps in the development of environmental policies, regulations
and international agreements.Scientiifc research and data provide
the evidence base for policy decisions aimed at protecting the
environment, conserving resources and addressing environmental
challenges.
6. It promotes education and awareness about environmental issues.
By disseminating knowledge and research findings, it empowers
individuals to make informed decisions and adopt sustainable
practises.
 7. It plays a vital role in assessing and addressing the impacts of the
environment on human health.
8. It is crucial for promoting sustainable development practices.
Environmental Science is significant as it provides the knowledge, tools
and strategies to understand, protect and sustainably manage our
environment. It offers pathways for addressing environmental issues,
mitigating climate change, conserving biodiversity and fostering
sustainable development for a better future
• The term ECOLOGY was coined by Ernst Haeckel in 1969. It is derived from
Greek words “OIKOS’ meaning HOME and LOGOS means study.
• Ecology deals with the study of organisms in their natural home
interacting with their surroundings.
• The term ECOSYSTEM was coined by A.G.Tansley in 1935.
• Ecosystem is the basic functional unit of the biosphere in which both the
biotic and the abiotic factors interact among themselves and with each
other.
• STRUCTURE OF AN ECOSYSTEM
-It consists of both living (Biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components.
- Biotic components refer to all life forms in an ecosystem- the plants,
animals and microorganisms.
Based on nutrition, biotic components can be categorised into
1. Producers (autotrophs) – They are mainly green plants which can synthesize
their food through the process of photosynthesis.
2. Consumers – All organisms which get their organic food by feeding upon
other organisms are called consumers which are of the following types:
A. Herbivores (plant eating)- They feed directly on producers and hence
also known as primary consumers. eg: Rabbit, Deer
B. Carnivores (meat eaters)- they feed on other organisms. If they feed on
herbivores, they are called secondary consumers eg: Frog and if they feed
on other carnivores, they are called tertiary consumers eg. Snake.
C. Omnivores – They feed on both plants and animals. Eg: Humans, bear,
cockroaches,etc.
D.Detritivores (Detritus feeders or Saprotrophs ) They feed on the parts of
dead organisms, waste of living organisms, their cast off and partially
decomposed matter. Eg: Termites, Vulture, Crabs.
 3. Decomposers : They derive their nutrition by breaking down the complex
organic compounds of dead bodies of plants and animals into simple
inorganic nutrients.
Eg: Various Bacteria and Fungi
-The physical and chemical components of an ecosystem constitute its
abiotic structure. These are divided into the following three categories.
a. Climatic and edaphic factors – Sunlight, temperature, latitude, altitude,
soil type, water availability are some of the important physical factors which
have strong influence on the ecosystem.
b. Inorganic nutrients -Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus
c. Organic compounds – These are present in dead organic matter
and includes carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, humic substances,
nucleic acid, etc.,
• FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF AN ECOSYSTEM
1. Nutrient Cycling - Ecosystems are responsible for the recycling and
redistribution of nutrients. Nutrient cycling ensures the
replenishment of essential elements such as N,P and C which are
necessary for the growth and survival of organisms.
2. Primary production – Ecosystems support primary production,
which is the process by which green plants and other autotrophic
organisms convert sunlight into chemical energy through
photosynthesis.
3. Biodiversity maintenance – Ecosystems contribute to the
maintenance of biodiversity which refers to the variety and
abundance of different species within an area.
4. Regulation of ecological processes – Ecosystems play a crucial role
in regulating various ecological processes such as regulating the
water cycle by intercepting rainfall, facilitating water infiltration and
maintaining stream flow.
5. Cultural and Recreational Services – Ecosystems provide cultural
and recreational services that contribute to human well-being.

• BIOGEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION OF INDIA

1. Trans-Himalayan Zone: This zone covers the high altitude regions of
Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Himachal Pradesh
 2. Himalayan Zone: Spanning the Himalayan range, this zone includes
the areas from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh.
3. Desert Zone: It encompasses the Thar Desert In North Western
India.
4. Semi-arid zone – This zone cover part of Gujarat, Rajasthan and
Haryana
5. Western Ghats- It runs along the Western coast of India. It is a
biodiversity hotspot and a UNESCO world heritage site
6. Deccan Plateau – It occupies a significant portion of Central and
Southern India
7. Gangetic plain – It covers the Indo- Gangetic plain
8. Northeastern zone – The Northeastern states of India, including
Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and others are parts
of this biogeographical zone
9. Coastal zone – The coastal regions of India including the coastal
plains of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
form the coastal zone.
10. Island zone – The Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal
form the island zone.
The biogeographical classification of India highlights the incredible
ecological diversity and richness present across the country. From the high
altitude regions of the Himalayas to the coastal plains and islands, India
showcases a wide range of ecosystems that support unique flora, fauna
and cultural heritage. Protecting and conserving these biogeographical
zones is crucial for the maintenance of biodiversity, ecosystem services
and the sustainable development of the country.
• VALUES OF BIODIVERSITY
The values of Biodiversity in terms of its commercial utility, ecological services,
social and aesthetic value is enormous. The multiple uses of Biodiversity have
been classified as follows:
1. Consumptive use Value – These are direct values where the
biodiversity product can be harvested and consumed directly
eg: fuel, food
2. Productive use value – These are commercially usable values
where the products are marketed and sold
 3. Social Value – These are the values associated with the social
life, customs, religion and psycho-spiritual aspects of the
people.
4. Ethical and Moral value – Ethics provides the basis of deciding
what is good or bad, right or wrong. Ethical values related to
biodiversity conservation are based on the importance of
protecting all forms of life.
5. Aesthetic value – Knowledge and an appreciation of the
presence of biodiversity for its own sake is another reason to
preserve it. People from far and wide spend a lot of time and
money to visit wilderness areas where they can enjoy the
aesthetic value of biodiversity.
6. Option Value – Keeping future possibilities open for their use
is called option value. These values include the potentials of
biodiversity that are presently unknown and need to be
explored.
NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS
1. It is essential to make the public aware of the formidable consequences
of the environmental degradation at local, regional and global level.
2. Earth’s resources are dwindling and environment is being increasingly
degraded by human activities and hence something needs to be done.
3. Goal of sustainable development cannot be achieved by any government
until the public has a participatory role in it.
4. Mass public awareness through newspapers, radios, televisions strongly
influences public opinion on conserving our environment.
5. Environmental pollution cannot be controlled only by implementing the
Laws and Act. The proper implementation and especially public
participation are important aspect to it.
Public awareness about biodiversity conservation is essential for fostering a
deeper understanding of the value of biodiversity, promoting sustainable
practises, engaging citizens in conservation actions, advocating for policy
change, empowering local communities, building environmental stewardship
and addressing environmental injustices. It is through collective awareness and
action that we can ensure the long term protection and sustainable
management of our precious biodiversity.