Environmental Studies

unit-1
The Multidisciplinary Nature of
Environmental Studies
 Environmental studies deals with every issue that affects an
organism. It is essentially a multidisciplinary approach that brings
about an appreciation of our natural world and human impacts on
its integrity. It is an applied science as its seeks practical answers
to making human civilization sustainable on the earth’s finite
resources.
Its components include
• Biology,
• Geology,
• Chemistry,
• Physics,
• Engineering,
• Sociology,
• Health,
• Anthropology,
• Economics,
• Statistics,
• Computers
• And Philosophy
 Scope & Importance
Environmental studies is very wide and it deals
with many areas like
i) Conservation of natural resources,
ii) Ecological aspects,
iii) Pollution of the surrounding natural
resources
iv) Controlling the pollution
v) Social issues connected to it, and
vi) Impacts of human population on
the environment.
 Public Awareness
Environmental pollution is effecting on
• Plant, animals and human life.
• The soil, minerals, water, fuel, plants
• Animal resources are being depleted
• Climatic changes,
• Desertification
• Drastic floods.
Also The human population is growing faster
• Creating more pressure on the
environment.
• Environmental problems are global in
nature
• Every citizen of the world needs to be
aware and actively participate in
protecting global environment.
Environmental Studies
unit-2
The Natural Resources
 Natural Environment
The environment consists of
four segments of the earth
namely
• Atmosphere
• Hydrosphere
• Lithosphere
• Biosphere
 Contd......

• Lithosphere:-It includes the solid part of the earth crust. It has two
parts the crust and the upper mantle. The crust includes rocks,
minerals and soil. Below the crust is the mantle.

• Hydrosphere:- the hydrosphere includes all the water on earth,

most of which is contained in the oceans. The presence of water on
earth gives it the name “blue planet”. Due to the range of surface
temperature and pressure, water exists in all three states; solid(ice),
liquid(water), and gases(water vapour).

• Atmosphere:-the layer of gases surrounding the earth is called the

atmosphere. The atmosphere of earth is composed of several layers
such as troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and ionosphere.

• Biosphere:-the biosphere is that part of the earth which includes

air, land, surface rocks and water and all components within which
life occurs.
We must know the following terms about
environmental science

• Ecology
• Organisms
• Species
• Ecosystem
• Micro Organism
• Microbes
• Pathogens
• Biodiversity
 Environmental Terminologies:
• Ecology: Ecology deals with the living and non-living components of
the environment in relation to their surrounding.
• Organisms:- any living entity animals or plants which are capable of
growth and reproduction.
• Species: A group of organisms having common attributes/quality are
called Species.
• Ecosystem: A group of organisms interacting among themselves &
surrounding environment forms an eco-system which includes both
living and non-living components of the environment.
• Micro Organism: Very small living entity that can be seen only under
microscope.
• Microbes : Micro-organisms.
• Pathogens: Harmful microbes that cause disease.
• Biodiversity: The variety of life forms on earth & its process.
Components and Layers of Atmosphere
The three major constituents of
Earth's atmosphere are nitrogen,
oxygen, and argon. Water vapor
accounts for roughly 0.25% of
the atmosphere by mass.
 Natural Resources
Any component of the natural environment that
can be utilized by man to promote his welfare is
considered as a natural resource.
Inexhaustible resources
Inexhaustible resources are available in unlimited quantities on
the earth. Resources like solar energy, wind power, tide power,
rainfall, and even atomic energy, cannot be exhausted
significantly at global level due to human activities.
Exhaustible resources
A large number of natural resources are exhaustible, i.e. they
have finite supply on the earth and can be exhausted if used
indiscriminately. Broadly, the exhaustible resources can be either
renewable or non-renewable
Renewable and Non-renewable resources
Naturally replenished after man's consumption

cannot be replaced after use

 Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a large community of living organisms (plants,
animals and microbes) in a particular area. The living and
physical components are linked together through nutrient cycles
and energy flows. Ecosystems are of any size, but usually they
are in particular places. There are essentially two kinds of
ecosystems; Aquatic and Terrestrial.
 Questionnaire
• What is environment? Explain it’s origin.
• Mention the Scope and importance of Environmental
studies.
• Why Environmental Studies is multidisciplinary?
• What is atmosphere? Explain different components of
atmosphere.
• Explain about resources.
• Differentiate between Renewable and non-renewable
resources of environment with example.
• What do you mean by ecosystem? Explain different
types of ecosystem.