Environmental Concepts

 Environmental Concepts and Issues

Environment

The environment refers to the natural world around us, including living and nonliving components. It encompasses all of the physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence the life and behavior of organisms, as well as the relationships between them.

Ecosystem
The word ecosystem is derived from the Greek word which means “Study of Home”.
An ecosystem refers to a community of living organisms that will interact with each other in a specific environment. It is the Fundamental unit of ecology.
Ecosystem refers to the study of the community of several living organisms interacting with another non-living organism with the reference of the environment to exchanging energy-matter.

Ecology

Ecology is the study of the interaction between a living organism and its environment. It deals with the physical surroundings.

Ecosystem and its components:

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (biotic) and the non-living (abiotic) environment with which they interact. The components of an ecosystem include:

Biotic components:

These are the living organisms in an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

Division of biotic components
Producers are considered as autotrophs who generate their own food (energy) with the help of sunlight (photosynthesis) Example Plant

Consumers Consumers are the Heterotroph. They are a meat eater. Consumers are further divided into three categories.

•  Primary consumers They are herbivorous they depend on the Plant. Examples are Insects, rats, camels, etc.
• Secondary consumers They are the carnivores who eat the primary consumers. They are a meat eater. Examples are Fox, Frog, cat Bear, etc.
• Tertiary consumers Tertiary consumers are omnivores. They eat both primary and secondary. Examples are Loin, Humans, and cockroaches.
• Decomposers Decomposers attack dead bodies. They eat the microorganism. They decompose the primary and secondary organisms and convert them into their simplest form. They are considered saprophytes. They convert decaying compounds into nitrogen and CO2. Basically, they are considered a recycled nutrient, so the plant (primary producers) can use them again. Examples are Fungi, Bacteria. 

Abiotic components:

These are the non-living factors in an ecosystem, including soil, water, air, sunlight, temperature, and climate.

Division of abiotic component

• Physical components Physical components deal with the environment's raw materials and climate Examples are Air, water, soil, and sunlight.
• Chemical components Chemical components refer to the source of nutrients which is crucial. Examples are All micro and macro elements. (Al, CO, Zu, CO2)

Material and energy flow in an ecosystem:

In an ecosystem, material, and energy flow through food chains and food webs. Producers (plants) convert sunlight into organic matter through photosynthesis, which is then consumed by herbivores. These herbivores are then eaten by carnivores, and the cycle continues. Energy is transferred between different levels of the food chain, with each level being dependent on the level below it.

Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems:

Terrestrial ecosystems are those that exist on land, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundras. Aquatic ecosystems are those that exist in water, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Biomes and their distribution:

A biome is a large geographic region characterized by a particular type of climate, vegetation, and animal life. Examples of biomes include tundra, taiga, tropical rainforest, savanna, and desert. The distribution of biomes is determined by factors such as latitude, altitude, precipitation, and temperature.

Atmosphere:

The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth. It is composed primarily of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), with small amounts of other gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane.

Hydrosphere:

The hydrosphere refers to all the water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and atmospheric water. The distribution of water on Earth is not uniform, with some regions experiencing water scarcity while others have abundant water resources. Water quality is also an important concern, with issues such as pollution and contamination affecting the availability and safety of water for human and ecological use.

Lithosphere:

The lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the Earth, which includes the crust and upper mantle. It provides the foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems and is a source of important resources such as minerals and fuels. However, human activities such as mining and land-use changes can lead to soil degradation, erosion, and other forms of environmental damage.

Human population and resource use:

Human population growth and resource use have major impacts on the environment, including habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. As the global population continues to grow, the demand for resources and the pressure on the environment will only increase.

Human attitude towards the environment:

Human attitudes toward the environment have varied throughout history and are shaped by cultural, social, and economic factors. Early human societies often lived in close harmony with nature and relied on natural resources for their survival. However, with the rise of industrialization and modernization, humans have increasingly exploited the environment for economic gain. In recent decades, there has been a growing awareness of the need to protect the environment and the importance of sustainable development. 

Human population refers to the total number of individuals inhabiting the planet Earth at a given time. The human population has been increasing rapidly over the past century, with the global population estimated to be around 7.9 billion people as of 2021. This rapid growth has had a significant impact on the availability and usage of resources, particularly in the contemporary world. The resources available to humans can be categorized as natural, human-made, and human resources. Natural resources include air, water, soil, minerals, and fossil fuels. Human-made resources include technology, infrastructure, buildings, and transportation systems. Human resources include the knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals. The usage of these resources is directly related to the size of the human population. As the population grows, the demand for resources increases. This has led to a depletion of natural resources, environmental degradation, and climate change. In addition, the unequal distribution of resources has led to social and economic inequalities between different regions and populations. The contemporary world is facing significant challenges related to population growth and resource usage. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have put a strain on resources and created new challenges such as pollution, congestion, and resource depletion. Additionally, global climate change has become a critical issue, affecting the availability and distribution of resources such as water and food. Efforts are being made to manage resources more sustainably and reduce the negative impacts of human population growth. These efforts include the promotion of renewable energy sources, sustainable agricultural practices, and the conservation of natural resources. In addition, policies and initiatives are being developed to promote social and economic equality and reduce the disparities between different regions and populations. In conclusion, the human population and its resources and usage are closely interconnected. The rapid growth of the human population has put a strain on resources and created new challenges for the contemporary world. However, sustainable resource management and social and economic equality can help address these challenges and ensure a more sustainable future for all.