Environmental Studies

264 Pages·2007·2.09 MB·English

by  Anil Kumar De

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Copyright © 2005, 2001 New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers
Published by New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers
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ISBN (13) : 978-81-224-2636-6
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Preface v
Preface
The warm response to the First Edition of this book encouraged
the authors to bring out the Second Edition in a thoroughly
revised and updated form.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India ordered in 1991
introduction of a common course on Environment in colleges
and universities at under-graduate levels but the order was not
properly implemented. Displeased with non-compliance of the
order, the Supreme Court again ordered in 2003 for
introduction of Environment as a compulsory subject at higher
secondary level in schools and under-graduate levels in colleges
from 2004–2005 session and issued warning of legal action, if
necessary.
The prevailing confusion in academic communities is due
to lack of suitable textbooks (Green Syllabus) and also
orientation about the subject among the teachers and students
of various disciplines. The authors, with their long experience
in environmental teaching and research, came forward to fulfil
the need of the hour by meeting the challenge for the common
course—the First Edition was published in 2001 and now the
Second Edition is released in 2005.
The Glossary or Key Terms and Concepts is given at the
end of each Chapter for the benefit of the students. Feedback
Exercise (Chapter 11) followed by University Questions will
vi Preface
be useful for the students to test their knowledge in the subject.
Chapter 8 on Environment and Public Health has been
streamlined by omitting some sections. Notable additions in
various sections are: Natural and Man-made Changes in
Environment and Disasters (Section 1.3); Origin of the Earth—
Continents and Ocean Basins, Origin of the Atmosphere
(Section 2.1); Geologic Cycle (Section 2.5); Biomes—
Ecosystems (Sections 3.1.1, 3.1.2) Odour Pollution (Section 6.8).
The authors cordially invite constructive suggestions and
comments for further improvement of the book from fellow
teachers and beloved students. It is a pleasure to place on record
grateful thanks to Mr. S. Gupta, Managing Director, New Age
International Publishers, New Delhi for encouragement and
prompt publication. Our sincerest thanks are due to Mrs
Kalpana De, Chandrima and Charchita for their constant
encouragement.
Simanta Palli
Santiniketan–731235, West Bengal ANIL KUMAR DE
January, 2005 ARNAB KUMAR DE
Contents vii
Contents
Preface v
1. Introduction 1
1.1 Basic Concepts 1
1.1.1 Environmental Studies 2
1.2 Land Use Patterns—Agriculture, 3
Housing and Urbanisation
1.3 Natural (Non-Anthropogenic) and 4
Man-Made (Anthropogenic) Changes in
Environment and Disasters
1.3.1 Natural Changes in Environment 4
1.3.2 Natural Disasters 5
1.3.3 Man-Made (Anthropogenic) Changes 7
in Environment and Disasters
1.3.4 London Smog 8
1.3.5 Mediterranean—A Dead Sea 8
1.3.6 Nuclear Explosions 8
1.3.7 Minamata Disease 9
1.3.8 Bhopal Disaster (December 3, 1984) 9
1.3.9 Chernobyl Disaster (1986) 9
1.3.10 Gulf War Hazards 10
viii Contents
1.4 Development vis-a-vis Environment 11
1.5 Environmental Hazards—Human Concern 12
about Environment
Key Terms and Concepts (Glossary) 13
Questions 15
2. Nature and Natural Processes 16
2.1 Planet Earth—Origin and Evolution 16
2.1.1 The Sun in the Solar System 16
2.1.2 Origin of the Earth—Continents 17
and Ocean Basins
2.1.3 Origin of the Atmosphere 18
2.2 Components of the Earth/Environmental 19
Segments
2.2.1 Lithosphere 19
2.2.2 Hydrosphere 21
2.2.3 Atmosphere 21
2.2.4 Biosphere 22
2.3 The Climate of the Earth 22
2.3.1 Rain, Storms and Lightning 23
2.4 Origin and Evolution of Life 25
2.5 Natural/Biogeochemical Cycle 26
2.5.1 The Geologic Cycle 26
2.5.2 The Hydrological Cycle 26
2.5.3 The Oxygen Cycle 28
2.5.4 The Nitrogen Cycle 29
2.5.5 The Carbon Cycle 30
2.5.6 The Phosphate Cycle 31
2.5.7 The Sulphur Cycle 33
Key Terms and Concepts (Glossary) 34
Questions 36
3. Ecosystems 37
3.1 Ecology and Ecosystem 37
Contents ix
3.1.1 Biomes 39
3.1.2 Ecosystems 40
3.2 Forest Ecology 42
3.2.1 Forest Conservation 43
3.2.2 Biodiversity 45
3.2.3 Sustainable Ecosystem 46
Key Terms and Concepts (Glossary) 47
Questions 48
4. Population and Environment 49
4.1 Human Population and Distribution 49
4.1.1 Distribution 50
4.1.2 Population Density 51
4.1.3 Age Structure 51
4.1.4 Doubling Time 52
4.1.5 Fertility Rate 52
4.1.6 Infant Mortality/Life Expectancy 53
4.1.7 Carrying Capacity 53
4.2 Population Stabilisation/Sustainable 54
Development (Indian context)
4.2.1 Kerala Model 55
4.3 Women and Environment 56
4.3.1 Woman Power 57
4.4 Human Development 57
Key Terms and Concepts (Glossary) 59
Questions 60
5. Land and Water Resources of the Earth 62
5.1 Land, Water and Air—Interrelationship 62
in Ecosystem
5.2 Land Resource and Land Uses 62
5.2.1 Land Use Planning 63
5.2.2 Watershed Management 64
5.2.3 Grazing Land 65
5.2.4 Wastelands 66