Basics of environment and ecology

155 Pages·2010·5.858 MB·English

by  Anubha Kaushik, C. P. Kaushik

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Copyright © 2010, New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers
Published by New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers
All rights reserved.
No part of this ebook may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, microfilm, xerography,
or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or
mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher. All inquiries should be
emailed to [email protected]
ISBN (13) : 978-81-224-2856-8
PUBLISHING FOR ONE WORLD
NEW AGE INTERNATIONAL (P) LIMITED, PUBLISHERS
4835/24, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi - 110002
Visit us at www.newagepublishers.com
Preface
Exponential growth of human population coupled with ways to attain high standards of living through
technological advancement has resulted in widespread contamination of the environment at the global
level. During the past few decades, rapid industrialization, wanton exploitation of natural resources and
excessive use of environmentally abhorrent materials have resulted in discernible environmental
disruptions threatening the life support system. Such changes may jeopardize the very existence of life
on this planet which evolved over millions of years. During these years millions of species of
microorganisms, plants and animals co-evolved, the most intelligent of them being the human being,
who eventually became the master of all other species and started exploiting them. Human-centric
approach of development has already damaged the nature to a large extent. This has caught attention of
scientists, academicians, social scientists, policy makers and the like necessitating discussions at various
international fora. The objective of environmental protection cannot be achieved without involvement
of the masses at the grass root level.
In this book basic concepts of Environment and Ecology have been introduced and analysed in
a simple manner for under graduate classes in all disciplines.
Key features of the book include a simple and holistic approach with illustrations, tables and
specific case studies. The basic terminologies have been defined in the text while introducing the topics
and some useful terms mentioned in the text have been explained in the glossary for an easy grasp by
students of all disciplines.
We are indebted to all the scientists, scholars and grass-root level workers in the field of
environmental studies whose work and observations form the basis of our understanding of various
scientific and social aspects of environment.
We thank M/S. New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers, New Delhi for their wonderful work
in bringing out this edition of the book in its present form.
•
Anubha Kaushik C.P. Kaushik
(nee Sinha)
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Contents
Preface
1. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY.........................................................................1–13
1.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................1
1.2 Scope .....................................................................................................................................2
1.3 Importance of Environment...................................................................................................3
1.4 Need for Public Awareness....................................................................................................5
1.5 Concept of Ecology and Ecosystem......................................................................................7
1.6 Balanced Ecosystem ..............................................................................................................9
2. HUMAN IMPACTS ON ENVIRONMENT............................................................14–27
2.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................14
2.2 Major Aspects of Human Activities ..........................................................................................14
2.3 Effects of Human Activities on Environment...........................................................................16
3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT ..................................................................................................28–36
3.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................28
3.2 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) ................................................................................28
3.3 Sustainable Development.........................................................................................................32
4. NATURAL RESOURCES.......................................................................................37–56
4.1 Water Resources.......................................................................................................................37
4.2 Availability and Quality Aspects..............................................................................................37
4.3 Water Borne and Water Induced Diseases................................................................................43
4.4 Fluoride Problem in Drinking Water........................................................................................45
4.5 Mineral Resources....................................................................................................................48
4.6 Forest Wealth............................................................................................................................50
4.7 Material Cycles.........................................................................................................................52
CONTENTS
5. ENERGY..............................................................................................................57–71
5.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................57
5.2 Types of Energy Resources .....................................................................................................57
5.3 Electromagnetic Radiations ......................................................................................................58
5.4 Conventional Energy Resources (Fossil Fuel Based)...............................................................59
5.5 Non-Conventional Energy Sources ..........................................................................................63
6. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION........................................................................72–92
6.1 Water Pollution .........................................................................................................................72
6.2 Land Pollution...........................................................................................................................76
6.3 Noise Pollution..........................................................................................................................78
6.4 Public Health Aspects ...............................................................................................................82
6.5 Air Pollution..............................................................................................................................84
6.6 Solid Waste Management..........................................................................................................88
7. CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE..............................93–114
7.1 Population Growth....................................................................................................................93
7.2 Climate Change......................................................................................................................100
7.3 Global Warming .....................................................................................................................101
7.4 Acid Rain................................................................................................................................104
7.5 Ozone Layer Depletion...........................................................................................................107
7.6 Urbanization...........................................................................................................................108
7.7. Automobile Pollution .............................................................................................................109
7.8 Animal Husbandry.................................................................................................................. 110
8. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ..................................................................115–128
8.1 Role of Government............................................................................................................... 115
8.2 Legal Aspects......................................................................................................................... 116
8.3 Initiatives by Non-governmental Organizations.....................................................................122
8.4 Environmental Education.......................................................................................................124
8.5 Women Education...................................................................................................................125
SUGGESTED READINGS.................................................................................129–130
GLOSSARY.......................................................................................................131–139
INDEX .............................................................................................................141–146
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‘Environment’ is a term derived from the French word ‘Environner’ that means ‘to surround’. There
was a time when environment just meant surroundings. It was used to describe the physical world
surrounding us including soil, rocks, water and air. Gradually it was realized that the enormous variety
of plants, animals and micro-organisms on this earth, including human beings are an integral part of the
environment. Hence, to make a sensible definition of environment, it was necessary to include the
interactions and inter-relationships of all living organisms with the physical surroundings.
Later, it was further recognised that all types of social, cultural and technological activities
carried out by human beings also have a profound influence on various components of the environment.
Thus various built structures, materials and technological innovations also became a part of the
environment. So now all biological (biotic) and non-biological (abiotic) entities surrounding us are
included in the term ‘environment’. The impact of technological and economic development on the
natural environment may lead to degradation of the social and cultural environment. Thus, environment
is to be considered in a broader perspective where the surrounding components as well as their interactions
are to be included.
As per Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, environment includes all the physical and biological
surroundings of an organism along with their interactions. Environment is thus defined as “the sum
total of water, air and land and the inter-relationships that exist among them and with the human
beings, other living organisms and materials.” The concept of environment can be clearly understood
from Fig. 1.1.
Figure 1.1 depicts the environment of human beings. Air, water and land surrounding us constitute
our environment, and influence us directly. At the same time we too have an influence on our environment
due to overuse or over-exploitation of resources or due to discharge of pollutants in the air, water and
land. The flora, fauna and micro-organisms as well as the man-made structures in our surroundings
have a bi-directional interaction with us directly or indirectly. The totality of all these components and
their interactions constitute the environment.
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