Environment Studies

CONCEPT OF AN ECOSYSTEM      An ecosystem is an area whose environment is unique and recognizable. Natural ecosystems include forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands such as ponds, rivers, lakes, and the sea. Man-modified ecosystems include agricultural patterns, and patterns of urban or industrial land use. The ecosystem's existence is based on its geographical features, such as hills, mountains, plains, rivers, coastal areas or islands. Climatic conditions such as the amount of sunshine, temperature, and rainfall also influence it. The living portion of the ecosystem is called its biotic component and abiotic component is its non-living portion. All the living organisms in an area live in communities of plants and animals. They interact with their abiotic environment and with each other. Living organisms cannot survive without their non-living environment as this provides food and energy for the former's survival, Thus, the biotic population and its environment work to c...

Introduction to Natural Resources           Any material which can be transformed in a way that it becomes more valuable and useful can be termed as resource. In other words, it is possible to obtain valuable items from any resources. Resource, therefore, are the means to attain given ends. The aspect of satisfaction is so important that we consider a thing or substance a resource, as so long it meets our needs. Life on this planet depends upon a large number of things and services provided by the nature, which are known as Natural Resources. Thus water, air, soil, minerals, coal, forests, crops and wild life are all examples of natural resources. Classification of natural resources      Depending upon availability of natural resources can be divided into two categories such as (1) renewable and (2) Non renewable resources. 1. Renewable resources      Renewable resources are in a way inexhaustible resources. They have the abili...