Environmental Degradation & Conservation

By Akhil Gupta|Updated : April 28th, 2021

 The word ecology is derived from Greek word “Okios” which means habitation and “logos” means study. Therefore, the study of interactions between organisms and their environment is called Ecology.

  • Ecology is a science which studies the interaction of flora and fauna among themselves on one hand and interaction of flora and fauna as a whole to their environment on the other hand.

Therefore, under ecology, study of these features of ecosystem is done:

(i) Interaction of organisms with their physical environment.

(ii) Interaction among species of different species.

(iii) Interaction among members of a particular species.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The word ecology is derived from Greek word “Okios” which means habitation and “logos” means study. Therefore, the study of interactions between organisms and their environment is called Ecology.

  • Ecology is a science which studies the interaction of flora and fauna among themselves on one hand and interaction of flora and fauna as a whole to their environment on the other hand.

Therefore, under ecology, study of these features of ecosystem is done:

(i) Interaction of organisms with their physical environment.

(ii) Interaction among species of different species.

(iii) Interaction among members of a particular species.

1.  Ecological principles

Ecology is mainly based on three principles. These are:

(i) Homeostasis:

The tendency of the body to seek and maintain a condition of balance within its internal environment even when it undergoes face external changes.

(ii) Limiting factor principles:

Limiting factors are environmental influences that constrain the productivity of organisms, populations, or communities.

(iii) Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only be changes from one form to another.

 

ECOSYSTEM

It is a set of relationship among the lining resources, habitat, and residents of an area.

  • The term ecosystem was first wined by AG-Tansley in 1935.
  • Ecosystem includes lining organisms, the dead organic matter, abiotic environment, and the interactions between these components.


    byjusexamprep

 

ENERGY FLOW IN THE ECOSYSTEM

Sun is the basic source of energy. All the biological activities the radiant energy of the sun. The solar energy is transformed from the radiant to the chemical form in photosynthesis and gets converted from chemical to mechanical and ultimately heat form in cellular metabolism.

byjusexamprepThe above figure shows the flow of energy and the inorganic nutrients through the ecosystem. The energy travels or flows through the ecosystem in the carbon-carbon bonds. Due to respiration the carbon-carbon bonds are broken, and the carbon is combined with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. Energy is released in this process that is either used by the organism for its movement, food digestion, excretion etc, or the energy may be lost as heat. The dotted lines show the movement of this energy. Sun is the only source of energy and the fate of all energy in the ecosystem is to be lost as heat and thus the flow of energy is unidirectional, and it does not recycle.

BIODIVERSITY AND ITS CONSERVATION METHODS

Biodiversity refers to the variability of life on earth.

It can be conserved in the following ways:

  1. In situ conservation
  2. Ex-situ Conservation

1.  In-situ Conservation

In-situ conservation of biodiversity is the conservation of species within their natural habitat. In this method, the natural ecosystem is maintained and protected.

The in-situ conservation has several advantages.

Following are the important advantages of in-situ conservation:

  1. It is a cost-effective and a convenient method of conserving biodiversity.
  2. Many living organisms can be conserved simultaneously.
  3. Since the organisms are in a natural ecosystem, they can evolve better and can easily adjust to different environmental conditions.

Certain protected areas where in-situ conservation takes place include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.

Nationals Parks

These are small reserves maintained by the government. Its boundaries are well demarcated and human activities such as grazing, forestry, habitat and cultivation are prohibited. For example: Kanha National Park.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

These are the regions where only wild animals are found. Human activities such as timber harvesting, cultivation, collection of woods and other forest products are allowed here as long as they do not interfere with the conservation project. Also, tourists visit these places for recreation.

Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere reserves are multi-purpose protected areas where the wildlife, traditional lifestyle of the inhabitants and domesticated plants and animals are protected. Tourist and research activities are permitted here.

2.  Ex-situ Conservation

Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity involves the breeding and maintenance of endangered species in artificial ecosystems such as zoos, nurseries, botanical gardens, gene banks, etc. There is less competition for food, water, and space among the organisms.

Ex-situ conservation has the following advantages:

  1. The animals are provided with a longer time and breeding activity
  2. The species bred in captivity can be reintroduced in the wild
  3. Genetic technique can be used for the preservation of endangered species.

    Legal steps taken by Government of India to protect Biodiversity
    • Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960
    • Wild Life Protection Act, 1972
    • Tiger Reserve Program, 1973
    • Water (Prevention and control) Pollution Act, 1974
    • Project Crocodile, 1975
    • Forest Act, 1980
    • Air (Prevention and control) Pollution Act, 1981
    • Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986
    • The Public Bhopal gas leak Liability Insurance Act, 1991
    • Elephant Reserve Program, 1992
    • National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995
    • National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997
    • Biomedical waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1990
    • Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000
    • Municipal solid waste Management Rules, 2000
    • Protection of Plant varieties and farmers' Right Act, 2001
    • Biodiversity Act, 2002
    • Marine Environmental Policy, 2004
    • National Biofuel Policy, 2009
    • National Air (Ambient) Quality Act, 2009
    • "Project Snow Leopard" launched on 20 January 2009 to Safeguard and conserve India’s unique animal of high altitude found in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
    • National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

      ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
      • Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as soil, water and air; which leads to destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife,
      • It refers to degradation of quality of environment and it may or may not be life threatening.

      Causes

      1. Natural Causes
      2. Anthropogenic Causes (man-made)

      Types

      1. Air Pollution
      2. Water Pollution
      3. Land Pollution
      4. Bio-Pollution
      5. noise Pollution
      6. Radiation Pollution

        CONSERVATION OF ENVIRONMENT
      • Due to pressure of population and technology, the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently. This has been recognized, and governments have begin placing restraints on activities that causes environmental degradation.
      • Since the 1960s, activity of environmental movements has created awareness of the various environmental issues. There are no agreements on the extent of the environmental impact of human activity, and protection measures are occasionally criticized.
      • Conservation of the environment is needed due to various human activities. Waste production, air pollution and loss of biodiversity (resulting from the introduction of invasive species and species extinction) are some of the issues related to environmental protection.
      • It is influenced by three interwoven factors: environmental legislation, ethics and educational level environmental decision, and personal level environmental values and behaviors.
      • In industrialized countries, voluntary environmental agreements often provide a platform for companies to be recognized for moving beyond the minimum regulatory standards and thus support the development of best environmental practices.
      • In India, Environmental Improvement Trust (EIT) working for environment and forest protection since 1998- In developing countries, such as throughout Latin America, these agreements lie in establishing baseline data, targets, monitoring and reporting. Due to difficulties inherent in evaluating effectiveness, their use is often questioned and indeed the whole environment may be adversely affected as a result The key advantage of their use in developing countries is that their use helps to build environmental management capacity.
      • An Ecosystem approach to resource management and environmental protection aims to consider the complex interrelationships of an entire ecosystem in decision making rather than simply responding to specific issue and challenges.
      • This approach ideally supports a better exchange of information, development of conflict-resolution strategies and improved regional conservation.

        INDIAN ORGANIZATIONS FOR CONSERVATION OF ENVIRONMENT

      Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)

      BNHS was founded on 15 September, 1883 and is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research.

      • It supports research efforts through grants and publishes the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society.

      The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)

      • TERI was established in 1974 with the purpose of tackling and dealing with the immense and acute problems that mankind is likely to face years ahead on account of the gradual depletion of the earth’s finite energy resources which are largely non-renewable and also on the account of the existing methods of their use which are polluting.
      • It has been giving solutions to global problems in the fields of energy, environmental and current patterns of development which are largely unsustainable.
      • The registered headquarters of TERI is in New Delhi.

        INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ON CONSERVATION OF ENVIRONMENT

      Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutant

      Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) was adopted in 2001, and became effective in 2004.

      It is an international environmental treaty that aims to eliminates or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants. These are organic chemical substances.

      The POP concentrate in living organisms through the process of bio accumulation in fishes, predatory birds, mammals, and humans.

      Specific effects of POPs can include cancer, allergies and hypersensitivity, damage to central and peripheral nervous system, reproductive disorder and disruptive of immune system.

      POP Pollutants are:

      Till now, there are 21 chemicals which are listed as POP some of them are :

      1. Aldrin
      2. Heptachlor
      3. Endrin
      4. Chlordane
      5. PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyl)
      6. Lindane
      7. DDT
      8. Dieldrin

If you are preparing for GATE and ESE, avail BYJU'S Exam Prep Online Classroom Program to get unlimited access to all the Live Structured Courses and Mock Tests from the following link :

Thanks 
Sahi Prep Hai Toh Life Set Hai!

Comments

write a comment

Follow us for latest updates