Chapter 1 – Environment

Chapter 1 – Environment

 

1. What is Environment? (What is Environment?)

• The environment is everything that surrounds us.
• It includes everything that exists around us  – such as people, places, objects, and nature.
• It is the basic foundation of our life.
• We get our food, water, air and shelter from the environment.

 

2. Components of Environment

The environment can be mainly divided into three components:

1. Natural Environment :

• • All things that  are created by nature.
  • Example:
    •  Land: Mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts.
    •  Water: Rivers, lakes, seas, oceans.
    • Air:  The envelope of gases around us.
    •  Living things: plants, animals, human beings.
  • The natural environment can be further divided into biotic and abiotic  components:
    • Biotic component: Living organisms (such as plants and animals).
    • Abiotic component: Non-living components (e.g. land, water, air).

Man-Made Environment :

• • All things that  have been created by humans.
  • Examples: Buildings, bridges, roads, industries, monuments.
  • All of these are built to meet human needs.

Human Environment :

• • It deals with human beings and the mutual interactions and activities  between them.
  • Examples: Individual, family, community, religion, education, economic activities (e.g. business), political situation (government).
  • It includes the relationships and social structures created by humans.

 

3. Domains of Natural Environment

The natural environment is divided into four main zones:

1. Lithosphere :

• • It is the solid upper layer  of the earth.
  • It consists of a thin layer of rocks, minerals and soil.
  • It provides us with forests, grasslands, land for agriculture and human settlements.

1. Hydrosphere :

• It is the area of water  present on the earth.
• It includes rivers, lakes, seas, oceans, glaciers, etc.
• It is essential for all living organisms.

 

iii.  Atmosphere:

• It is the thin layer of gases surrounding the  earth.
• It protects us from the harmful rays of the sun.
• It contains oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and other gases.
• Changes in the atmosphere lead to changes in weather and climate.

 

 

 

1. Biosphere :

• It is that narrow region  of land, water and air where life is possible.
• In this, the plant and animal world live together.
• It is a region where the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere meet and interact with each other.

4. Ecosystem

• An ecosystem is a system in which all living organisms interact with each other and with the physical and chemical factors around them  .
• It includes plants, animals, and microorganisms that    live in harmony with their environment (e.g. climate, soil, water).
• There is a continuous exchange of energy and matter in every ecosystem.
• Examples: Ecosystem of a pond, ecosystem of a desert, ecosystem of a forest.

5. Human and Environment

• Humans interact with the environment  and modify it to meet their needs.
• Early Humans: Adapted to the natural environment and depended directly on nature for their needs.
• Changes over time: Man learned to change the environment according to his needs – growing crops, rearing animals, inventing wheels, bringing about industrial revolution, etc.
• Problems: Humans have used the environment excessively, causing problems like pollution, deforestation, global warming.
• Sustainability : It is important to use the environment in such a way that it remains for future generations as well.