Unit 1

Introduction to
Environment
 Objectives
• Introduction
• Branches of Environment
– Biotic (Biosphere)
– Abiotic (Lithosphere, Atmosphere and Hydrosphere)
• Biogeochemical Cycles – water, carbon and nitrogen cycle
• Ecosystem and Ecology
– Food chains
– Food web
– Energy flow
• Resources
– Introduction
– Classifications
– Types
– Exploitation
 Introduction

• Environment is the surrounding things.

• It includes living things and natural forces.
• Living things do not simply exist in their environment,
they constantly interact with it.
• Organisms change in response to conditions in their
environment.
• The environment consists of the interactions among
plants, animals, soil, water, temperature, light, and
other living and non-living things.
 Branches
Lithosphere

Abiotic Atmosphere

Environment Hydrosphere

Biotic Biosphere
 Abiotic

 Lithosphere:
 The Earth's crust, or lithosphere, is the outermost solid
surface of the planet and is chemically and mechanically
different from underlying mantle.
 It has been generated greatly by igneous processes in
which magma cools and solidifies to form solid rock.
 Beneath the lithosphere lies the mantle which is heated by
the decay of radioactive elements.
 Hydrosphere – Oceans
 A major body of saline water, and a component of the
hydrosphere.
 Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface (an area of
some 362 million square kilometers) is covered by
ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily
divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.
 More than half of this area is over 3,000 meters
(9,800 ft) deep.
 The major oceanic divisions are defined in part by
the continents, various archipelagos, and other
criteria: these divisions are (in descending order of
size) the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian
Ocean, the Southern Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.
 Atmosphere – Air
 The atmosphere of the Earth serves as a key factor in
sustaining the planetary ecosystem.
 The thin layer of gases that envelops the Earth is held
in place by the planet's gravity.
 Dry air consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen,
1% carbon dioxide and other inert gases, such as
argon.
 The ozone layer of the Earth's atmosphere plays an
important role in depleting the amount
of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reaches the surface.
 As DNA is readily damaged by UV light, this serves to
protect life at the surface. The atmosphere also retains
heat during the night, thereby reducing the daily
temperature extremes.
 The remaining gases are often referred to as trace
gases, among which are the greenhouse gases such as
water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,
and ozone.
 Filtered air includes trace amounts of many
other chemical compounds. Air also contains a variable
amount of water vapor and suspensions of water
droplets and ice crystals seen as clouds.
 Many natural substances may be present in tiny
amounts in an unfiltered air sample, including
dust, pollen and spores, sea spray, volcanic ash,
and meteoroids.
 Various industrial pollutants also may be present, such as
chlorine (elementary or in
compounds), fluorine compounds,
elemental mercury, and sulphur compounds such
as sulphur dioxide.
 Exosphere • Outermost
Thermosphere • Fourth
Mesosphere • Third
Stratosphere • Second
Troposphere • Innermost
Other layers - Within the five principal layers determined by
temperature are several layers determined by other
properties.
 The ozone layer is contained within the stratosphere. It is
mainly located in the lower portion of the stratosphere from
about 15–35 km (49,000–115,000 ft), though the thickness
varies seasonally and geographically. About 90% of the ozone
in our atmosphere is contained in the stratosphere.
 The ionosphere, the part of the atmosphere that is ionized by
solar radiation, stretches from 50 to 1,000 km (3,160,000 to
3,280,000 ft) and typically overlaps both the exosphere and the
thermosphere. It forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere.
 The homosphere and heterosphere: The homosphere includes
the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere. The upper
part of the heterosphere is composed almost completely of
hydrogen, the lightest element.
 Climate
 Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature,
humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall,
atmospheric particle count and numerous
other meteorological elements in a given region over
periods of time.
 Climate can be contrasted to weather, which is the
present condition of these same elements over long
periods.
 Climates can be classified according to the average and
typical ranges of different variables, most commonly
temperature and precipitation.
 Weather is a set
Weather
of all the phenomena occurring in a
given atmospheric area at a given time.
 Mostly occurs in the troposphere and refers, generally, to
temperature and precipitation activity over a long period,
whereas climate is the term for the average atmospheric
conditions occurring day to day.
 Weather occurs due to density (temperature and moisture)
differences between one place and another.
 Higher altitudes are cooler than lower altitudes due to
differences in compression heating.
 Weather is measured as climate in Celsius and Fahrenheit
degrees.
 Weather forecasting is the application of science and
technology to predict the state of the atmosphere for a future
time and a given location.
 Human Activities greatly influence the climate and weather.
SUMMARIZE….
 Biogeochemical Cycles
• A cycle is a series of events that completes itself form
start to end in a circular manner.
• Biogeochemical Cycle
 Bio – referring to humans or living organisms
 Geo – referring to geological aspects or earth
 Chemical – referring to the changes taking place
 Cycle – referring to it pattern in which it moves
• There are 3 types of such cycles: Hydrological; Carbon;
Nitrogen.
• They affect the ecosystem and environment greatly.
• Their cycles get disturbed by human activities which
results in unfavorable conditions for humans
 Hydrological / Water Cycle
• The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or the H2O cycle, describes
the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.
• The water moves from one reservoir to another, such as from river to ocean, or
from the ocean to the atmosphere, by the physical processes of evaporation,
condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and subsurface flow.
• In doing so, the water goes through different phases: liquid, solid (ice), and gas
(vapor).
• The water cycle involves the exchange of energy, which leads
to temperature changes. For instance, when water evaporates, it takes up energy
from its surroundings and cools the environment. When it condenses, it releases
energy and warms the environment. These heat exchanges influence climate.
• The evaporative phase of the cycle purifies water which then replenishes the
land with freshwater. The flow of liquid water and ice transports minerals across
the globe. It is also involved in reshaping the geological features of the Earth,
through processes including erosion and sedimentation. The water cycle is also
essential for the maintenance of most life and ecosystems on the planet
•
Summary of Hydrological Cycle
The water cycle is called the hydrologic cycle. In the hydrologic
cycle, water from oceans, lakes, swamps, rivers, plants turns
into water vapor.
• Water vapor condenses into millions of tiny droplets that form
clouds.
• Clouds lose their water as rain or snow, which is called
precipitation.
• Precipitation is either absorbed into the ground or runs off
into rivers.
• Water that was absorbed into the ground is taken up by
plants.
• Plants lose water from their surfaces as vapor back into the
atmosphere.
• Water that runs off into rivers flows into ponds, lakes, or
oceans where it evaporates back into the atmosphere.
• The cycle continues.
 Carbon Cycle
• The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is
exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere,
and atmosphere of the Earth.
Nitrogen Cycle
Levels of Organisms
 Introduction to Ecology

• The meaning of the word ecology was given by

German Biologist Hackle in 1869.
• The word ecology is derived from Greek words
‘Oikos’ meaning house, habitat or place of living and
‘Logos’ meaning to study.
• Ecology is defined as the study of interrelationship
of different organisms with each other and with
their environment. It is concerned with the general
principles that apply to both animals and plants.
 Ecosystem
• An ecosystem (also called as environment) is a natural unit
consisting of all plants, animals and micro-organisms (biotic
factors) in an area functioning together with all of the non-
living physical (abiotic) factors of the environment.
• Central to the ecosystem concept is the idea that living
organisms are continually engaged in a highly interrelated
set of relationships with every other element constituting
the environment in which they exist.
• Eugene Odum, one of the founders of the science of ecology, stated: "Any
unit that includes all of the organisms (ie: the "community") in a given
area interacting with the physical environment so that a flow of energy
leads to clearly defined trophic structure, biotic diversity, and material
cycles (ie: exchange of materials between living and nonliving parts)
within the system is an ecosystem."
 Ecosystem
• The term Ecosystem was first
proposed by A.G. Tansley in
1935. He defined it as “the
system resulting from the
interaction of all the living
and non living factors of the
Environment.
• An ecosystem consists of the
biological community that
occurs in some locale, and
the physical and chemical
factors that make up its non-
living or abiotic environment.
There are many examples of
ecosystems - a pond, a forest,
an estuary, a grassland. Various types of Ecosystem
 In Simple Terms
• An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction
with the nonliving components of their environment (things
like air, water and mineral soil), interacting as a system
• As ecosystems are defined by the network of interactions
among organisms, and between organisms and their
environment, they can be of any size but usually encompass
specific, limited spaces (although some scientists say that the
entire planet is an ecosystem).
• Ecosystems are controlled both by external and internal
factors. External factors such as climate, the parent
material which forms the soil and topography, control the
overall structure of an ecosystem and the way things work
within it, but are not themselves influenced by the ecosystem.
Classification of Ecology/Ecosystem
Based on Environment or habitat
A. Aquatic ecology : The study of interaction of organisms in water
1) Marine water ecology
a) Ocean
b) Deep Sea
c) Estuary
2) Freshwater Ecology
a) Lentic (Running water)
i. River
ii. Stream
iii. Spring
b) Lotic (Standing Water)
i. Pond Fresh water river Coral reefs
ii. Lake
B. Terrestrial Ecology : The study of interaction of organisms
on land:
a) Grassland Ecology
b) Forest Ecology
c) Desert Ecology

2. Based on Advancement in the field of

ecology
d) Productive ecology
e) Population ecology
f) Community ecology
g) Ecosystem ecology
h) Microbial ecology
i) Radiation ecology
j) Pollution ecology Forest
k) Space ecology Ecology
Components of Ecosystem
 Components of Ecosystem
 Abiotic
 Consists of Non-living chemical & physical
components such as water, air, nutrients in the soil or
water & Solar Energy.
 Physical & chemical factors that influence living
organisms in land (terrestrial) ecosystem & aquatic
life zones.
 Abiotic factors can act as Limiting factors that keep a
population at a certain level.
Abiotic components are mainly of two types:
1) Climatic Factors: which include rain, temperature,
light, wind, etc.
2) Edaphic Factors: which include soil, pH, Topography,
Minerals, etc.
 Components of Ecosystem
Biotic factors
 All the living things that directly or indirectly affect
the ecosystem.
 Biotic factors interact with other living organisms
and the physical environment.
 Made up of biological components consisting of living
and dead plants, animals and microorganisms.
 The Major Biological Components of Ecosystem:
a) Producers (Autotrophs)(self-feeders)
b)Consumers (Heterotrophs) (“other feeders”)
c) Decomposers
Producers - Autotrophs
• Make their own food from compounds that are
obtained from their environment.
• Are the source of all food in an ecosystem.
• On land most producers are green plants.
• In freshwater and marine ecosystems, algae and
plants are the major producers near shorelines.
• In open water, the dominant producers are
phytoplankton (most of them microscopic) that
float or drift in the water.
• Most producers capture sunlight to make
carbohydrates (such as glucose) by photosynthesis .
 Consumers (Heterotrophs)
Get their energy and nutrients by feeding on other
organisms or their remains.
• Primary consumers : Are those that eat producers
(plants) as a source of food. They are also known as
herbivores.
• Secondary consumers or carnivores : Eat other
animals.
• Tertiary Consumers : Large Carnivores which feed
on secondary consumers.
• Quaternary Consumers : Largest Carnivores that
feed on tertiary consumers. They are not eaten by
any animals.
• Omnivores : Have mixed diet that include both
plants and animals.
 Decomposer
• Mostly certain types of bacteria and fungi are
specialized consumers that recycle organic matter in
ecosystems.
• They do this by breaking down (biodegrading) dead
organic material to get nutrients and releasing the
resulting simpler inorganic compounds into the soil
and water, where they can be taken up as nutrients
by producers.
 Disturbances in ecosystem
 Bioaccumulation - When plants / animals take up a
chemical from the environment and do not excrete it, the
chemical builds up in the organism over time to a
potentially lethal level.
 Biomagnification - Refers to the sequence of processes
that results in higher concentrations of the chemical in
organisms at higher levels in the food chain. The
concentration of the chemical may not affect lower levels
of the food chain but the top levels take in so much it can
cause disease or death.
 Extinction of species – Due to decrease in population of
various species the balance of various tropic levels is
disturbed as a result some levels have more accumulation
of species while others have very less population.
SUMMARIZE…
 Food Chain
• Every organism needs to obtain energy in order to live.
For example, plants get energy from the sun, some
animals eat plants, and some animals eat other animals.
• A food chain is the sequence of who eats whom in a
biological community (an ecosystem) to obtain
nutrition
Food Chain..
Important facts
• In a food chain each organism obtains energy from
the one at the level below.
• Plants are called producers because they create
their own food through photosynthesis.
• Animals are consumers because they cannot create
their own food, they must eat plants or other animals
to get the energy that they need.
 Significance of Food Chain

 The knowledge of food chain helps in understanding the

feeding relationship as well as the interaction between
organism and ecosystem.
 It also help in understanding the mechanism of energy
flow and circulation of matter in ecosystem.
 It also helps to understand the movement of toxic
substance and the problem associated with biological
magnification in the ecosystem.
Food Chain in an Antarctic
Ecosystem
Tropic levels in a food chain
Producers
Consumers
i. Primary consumers
ii. Secondary consumers
iii. Tertiary consumers
iv. Quaternary consumers
Decomposers
 Trophic Levels
 Each link in a food chain is known as a
trophic level.
 Trophic levels represent a feeding step in the
transfer of energy and matter in an
ecosystem.
 Biomass - the amount of organic matter
comprising a group of organisms in a habitat.
 As you move up a food chain, both available
energy and biomass decrease.
 Energy is transferred upwards but is
diminished with each transfer.
 Trophic Levels
Food chain
 Trophic Levels
E
Tertiary Consumers –
N Omnivores

E Secondary Consumers -
Carnivores

R Primary Consumers –
Herbivores
G
Producers - Autotrophs
Y
 Section 3 Energy Transfer

Energy Transfer Through Trophic Levels

 What is food web?
• Food web can be defined as, "a network of food chains
which are interconnected at various tropic levels, so as
to form a number of feeding connections amongst
different organisms of a biotic community“.
• It is also known as consumer-resource system.
 Food Web
• A food web (or food cycle) depicts feeding
connections (what-eats-what) in an ecological
community and hence is also referred to as a
consumer-resource system.
• The food web is a simplified illustration of the various
methods of feeding that links an ecosystem into a
unified system of exchange.
• Various food chains are often interlinked at different
tropic levels to form a complex interaction between
different species from the point of view of food.
• Food Web provides more than one alternatives of food
to most of the organisms in an ecosystem and thus
increases their chances of survival.
 Important facts

 A node represents an individual species, or a group of

related species or different stages of a single species.
 A link connects two nodes. Arrows represent links,
and always go from prey to predator.
 The lowest tropic level are called basal species.
 The highest tropic level are called top predators.
 Movement of nutrients is cyclic but of energy is
unidirectional and non-cyclic.
Types of food web representation

TOPOLOGICAL • These food webs simply indicate a

WEBS feeding relationship.

• Bio-energetic webs, or flow webs,

FLOW WEBS include information on the
strength of the feeding interaction.

INTERACTION • In interaction the arrows show

WEB how one group influences another.
Significance of Food Web
• Food webs distinguish levels of producers and
consumers by identifying and defining the
importance of animal relationships and food sources,
beginning with primary producers such as plants,
insects and herbivores.
• Food webs are important tools in understanding that
plants are the foundation of all ecosystems and food
chains, sustaining life by providing nourishment and
oxygen needed for survival and reproduction.
• The food web provide stability to the ecosystem.
 Different food webs

• Soil food web

• Aquatic food web
• Food web in forest
• Food web of grassland
• Food web in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem
Aquatic food web
Food web in
forest
Grassland Food
Web Food web of grassland
Food web in terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystem
Food chain Food web
(just 1 path of energy) (all possible energy paths)
 Ecological Pyramids
•Ecological pyramids are
graphical representations
of the tropic structure
ecosystem.

•Tropic levels are the feeding

positions in a food chain
such as primary producers,
herbivores, primary
carnivore etc.
 Types of Ecological Pyramid

Three types of ecological pyramids can

usually be distinguished namely:
• Pyramid of numbers
• Pyramid of biomass
• Pyramid of productivity
 Pyramid of Energy
• Shows the energy available at each trophic level.
– The size of the blocks represents the proportion of
productivity
– Measured in Joules or Calories
SUMMARIZE…
 Natural Resources

 Resources that occur in the Nature are known as

natural resources.
 Natural resources can be found in our environment.
 Natural resources cannot be made by man, but man
can help ensure their continued existence.
 People need many natural resources to live.
 There are 2 main types of Natural Resources:
• Renewable (inexhaustible)
• Non-renewable (exhaustible)
 Renewable resources are natural resources that can
be replenished but it may take many years.
 They are resources that have a continuing process of
renewal and supply in nature
● Solar ● Geothermal ● Wind ● Biomass ● Water

 Non-renewable resource is a natural resource that

cannot be re-made or re-grown at a scale comparable
to its consumption.
 Their consumption is precious.
 Nuclear
Coal, Petroleum and Gas
 Air and Wind
• The atmosphere is the area surrounding the Earth.
– Air is the mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth.
– Wind is the movement of the air.
– Water vapor, gases, and particulate can be found in
the atmosphere.
– Weather is the condition of the atmosphere,
including moisture, temperature, movement, and
pressure.
– Climate is the condition of the weather in a
particular location.
 People

• Help determine how other natural resources are

used.
• As the population increases, natural resource use will
increase.
• The wise use of resources is necessary to ensure their
future availability.
 Soil
• Outer layer of the earth’s surface that supports life.
• Plants grow in soil, humans and other animals eat
plants, humans and animals produce waste that
provides nutrients for plants to grow, and the cycle
continues.
• However, soil can be easily eroded by misuse.
• Soil must be protected in order for it to continue to
be a resource.
 Sunlight
• The source of almost all the energy used on the
Earth.
• The light from the sun produces solar energy.
– Plants use this energy in the process of
photosynthesis.
– People can also use this energy if it is harnessed
using solar collectors.
 Geothermal Energy
• Heat generated deep within the Earth
• Fueled by the decay of radioactive elements
• Heat is transferred by water that absorbs heat
from center of Earth
• Used to drive electric generators and heat buildings
• Inexhaustible energy source
 Water

• A tasteless, colorless, liquid natural resource. All

living things need water to survive.
• Water is a naturally occurring compound made up of
two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
• Water can be found in three forms, solid, liquid,
and gas.
 Non-Renewable

 Types of resources whose physical quantity does not

increase significantly with time
 The rate of renewal is so slow as to be negligible
 The non-renewable resources are often defined as “stock
resources”. The total supply of the resource is limited in
quantity, and each rate of use diminishes some future
rate of use.
 Most developed nations are dependent on non-
renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels (coal and
oil) and nuclear power.
 Industrialized societies depend on non-renewable
energy sources.
 Fossil Fuels
• Fossil fuels are natural resources used to provide
energy.
– Fossil fuels took millions of years to make.
– They are the remains of decomposed plants and
animals.
– Their energy comes from the energy produced by
the plants and animals.
• Types:
– Petroleum
– Natural gas
– Coal
 Petroleum

 Liquid form of fossil fuels used to make gasoline

and oils.
 This type of resources are resources for which
there is a limited supply.
 The supply of petroleum comes from the earth
itself and it is finite.
 Natural Gas

 Gaseous form of fossil fuels used in heating and

cooking
 Natural gas is the result of decomposing plants
and animals that were trapped beneath rock
millions of years ago.
 It takes millions of years to regenerate, so it is a
non-renewable resource.
 Example: liquefied petroleum gas(lpg).
 Coal

 Solid form of fossil fuels used in factories and

generating electricity
 Coal is used as a fuel
 It takes millions of years to regenerate it.
 It doesn't renew itself every day.
 Minerals

• Natural inorganic substances on or in the earth.

• Are not living things.
• Mined from the earth and are used to produce
everything from iron to brick.
• Jewelry, coins, monuments, and concrete are also
made from minerals.
 Misconceptions

Many people have the misconception that a

resource's status of renewability means that it is
an endless source. A renewable resource is not
endless; rather, the Energy Information
Administration (EIA) defines a renewable
resources as "Fuels that can be easily made or
'renewed'.“
 Interdependent Relationships

 The idea that all

natural resources
depend on each other
is known as natural
resource dependence.
 This means that all
living things depend on
each other.
 Natural Resource Dependence

 Humans and animals need plants to live.

• Plants are used for food and plants help produce
oxygen needed to breathe.
 Plants depend on animals and humans.
• Animals, including humans, give off carbon dioxide
that the plants need to live.
 When animals die, they decompose.
• The decomposition process releases minerals back
into the soil.
• Plants can use these minerals for growth.
 Recycling and Reusing Natural
Resources
• The demand for natural resources can be reduced
if we recycle the ones we currently use.
• Trees, minerals, and water are examples of natural
resources that can be recycled and reused.
• Following through with these practices can ensure
the sustainability of natural resources.
• Sustainability is going about life so that resources
are available for future generations to use.
 Recycling

• Using a product or the materials to make a

product again.
• Aluminum, iron, plastic, paper, and glass are
examples of items that can be recycled.
• Items can be recycled at recycling centers.
 Reusing
• Using a product again and again without re-
manufacturing.
• Examples of reusing a product include using
grocery store bags as lunch sacks and
refilling plastic water bottle with tap water
to drink or to use as a watering can.
 Exploitation of Resources
• Abuse or over use of resources: Natural or Man made
• Causes:
– Environmental degradation
– Depletion
– Economic losses
– Low quality of life
• Effective measure:
a) Minimal Wastage
b) Alternate resources for utility
c) Industrial usages and recycling
d) Domestic usage and wastage