Vision

Leading university in science and technology by 2022. UNIVERSITY OF ANTIQUE

TARIO-LIM MEMORIAL CAMPUS
Mission

The university shall provide quality, relevant, and responsive scientific,

technological and professional education and advanced training in different areas
of specialization, and shall undertake research and extension services in support
to socio-economic development of Antique, the Filipino nation, and the global
community. Environmental conservation and
management
Quality Policy

The University of Antique commits to hone global citizens thru the delivery
of quality education of international standard anchored on scientific researches
articulated through responsive instruction, extension, and production, reinforced
by effective and efficient support services and driven by quality management
system.

We, in partnership with our stakeholders, shall strive for continual

improvement considering the statutory and regulatory requirements, client
satisfaction, and industry dynamics while keeping the spirit of the Filipino and the
ideals of an Antiqueno.

DR. DODGE BRYAN P. TOLEDO

 Background Information about the Material
This module is designed to enhance the knowledge of the target learners Table of Contents
or users most especially the students taking up Bachelor of Local Government
Administration major in Environmental Management.

Overview
This module contains Three (3) Chapters on Environmental Conservation
and Management:

This module presents environmental conservation and management to

learners that need to understand the importance and how to conserve our
environment. This also provides sample exercises to test their knowledge and
understanding.

Target Learners/ Target Users

This module is designed for the use of the following college students:

1. Students enrolled in Bachelor of Local Government Administration major

in Environmental Management.

Chapter 1
 Earth’s Physical System The Four Spheres of The Earth

 Atmosphere
 Hydrosphere
 Lithosphere
 Biosphere

The Earth is the 3rd planet from the sun between Venus and Mars. The
earth is made up of several unique properties, characteristics,
composition and they all affect the processes of the earth differently.
Every of these properties and elements in Earth’s system are largely
categorized into one of the four major subsystems including water, living
things, land, and the air. These are regarded as the four interlocking
“wonders” that create the earth’s diversity. Cumulatively, they are
primarily grouped into biological (living things) and physical (non-living
things).

These four “wonders” of the earth are dependent upon each other and
have been used to make the study of biological and physical components
of the earth easily comprehendible. They are scientifically called the
biophysical elements namely the hydrosphere (‘hydro’ for water),
biosphere (‘bio’ for living things), lithosphere (‘litho’ for land), and
atmosphere (‘atmo’ for air). These spheres are further divided into
various sub-spheres.
Atmosphere  Temperature Regulation: The atmosphere helps regulate the
planet's temperature by trapping heat from the Sun, a process
known as the greenhouse effect. It prevents extreme temperature
fluctuations between day and night.

 Weather and Climate: The atmosphere is responsible for Earth's

weather patterns and climate. It contains various gases, such as
water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane, which contribute to the
greenhouse effect and influence global climate.

 Breathable Air: The atmosphere contains the essential gases that

living organisms, including humans, need to survive. Oxygen is one
of the most critical components for respiration, while nitrogen
makes up the majority of the atmosphere.

 Protection Against Meteoroids: The atmosphere helps protect

the planet from smaller meteoroids and space debris. Most of these
objects burn up upon entering the atmosphere, creating what we
The word "atmosphere" has its origins in ancient Greek. It is derived see as meteors or "shooting stars."
from two Greek words:
 Transportation of Water Vapor: The atmosphere is responsible
"Atmos," which means "vapor" or "steam." for the movement of water vapor through a process known as the
"Sphaira," which means "sphere" or "ball." water cycle. This cycle includes processes like evaporation,
condensation, and precipitation, which are vital for maintaining
Earth's freshwater resources.
When combined, these words form "atmosphere," which essentially
means "vapor sphere" or "gaseous envelope." This term accurately  Sound Propagation: Sound waves can travel through the
describes the layer of gases that surrounds a celestial body like Earth. The atmosphere, allowing us to hear sounds generated on Earth's
Greek roots of the word highlight the idea that the atmosphere is surface.
composed of gases and envelops the planet like a protective sphere.

The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds a planet, held in The Earth's atmosphere consists primarily of nitrogen (about 78%) and
place by the planet's gravitational force. It is a crucial component of Earth oxygen (about 21%), with trace amounts of other gases such as carbon
and many other celestial bodies in the universe. On Earth, the dioxide, argon, and water vapor. These gases are not evenly distributed,
atmosphere plays several important roles: and their composition can vary with altitude.
 Protection: The atmosphere acts as a protective shield against
harmful solar radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) rays, X-rays, and In summary, the atmosphere is a vital component of Earth that provides
cosmic rays. It absorbs and scatters these rays, preventing them from protection, regulates temperature, supports life, influences weather and
reaching the surface in dangerous quantities. climate, and plays a role in various physical and chemical processes on
our planet.
 Troposphere: Though the sunlight reaches the Earth’s surface from top
“Layers of the Atmosphere” to bottom, the troposphere is primarily heated at the bottom. The Earth’s
surface is much better at absorbing a wide range of solar radiation than
the air. When the parcel of warm air moves upwards, it expands, and
when air expands, it cools. Due to this reason, the base of the
troposphere is warmer than its base because the air on the surface of the
Earth absorbs the sun’s energy, gets heated up, and moves upward,
which cools down.

 Altitude Range: 0 to about 10 kilometers (0 to 6.2 miles)

 Characteristics: This is the lowest layer of the atmosphere where
weather phenomena occur. It contains the majority of the Earth's
atmospheric mass and is where temperature generally decreases
with increasing altitude.

“Atmosphere Layers Diagram”

 Troposphere
 Stratosphere Why is the Troposphere Warmer at The Base?
 Mesosphere
 Thermosphere
Though the sunlight reaches the Earth’s surface from top to bottom, the
 Exosphere
troposphere is primarily heated at the bottom. The Earth’s surface is
The Earth's atmosphere is divided into several layers based on their much better at absorbing a wide range of solar radiation than the air.
characteristics and altitudes above the Earth's surface. These layers, from
When the parcel of warm air moves upwards, it expands, and when air
the lowest to the highest, are:
expands, it cools. Due to this reason, the base of the troposphere is
warmer than its base because the air on the surface of the Earth absorbs
the sun’s energy, gets heated up, and moves upward, which cools down.

Stratosphere: The Stratosphere lies above the troposphere and extends Mesosphere: The temperature in the mesosphere grows colder with the
up to a height of 50 km. This layer is free of clouds and devoid of any altitude. This is because there are few gas molecules in the mesosphere
weather-related phenomenon. Due to this, airplanes fly in the to absorb the Sun’s radiation. The only heat source is the stratosphere
Stratosphere for a smooth ride. The Stratosphere also houses the ozone below. The mesosphere is extremely cold, especially at the top, dropping
layer that protects us from the harmful effect of the sun’s rays. to a Temperature as low as -90°C.

 Altitude Range: About 10 to 50 kilometers (6.2 to 31 miles)  Altitude Range: About 50 to 85 kilometers (31 to 53 miles)
 Characteristics: The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which  Characteristics: In the mesosphere, temperatures once again
absorbs and scatters a significant portion of the Sun's harmful decrease with altitude. This layer is known for its extreme cold
ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Temperatures in this layer tend to temperatures and is where meteors burn up upon entering the
increase with altitude due to the presence of ozone. Earth's atmosphere.

Why would an unprotected astronaut’s blood boil in the

Why is Stratosphere warmer than the troposphere?
mesosphere?

Ozone molecules in the stratosphere absorb high-energy ultraviolet light

An astronaut travelling through the mesosphere would experience severe
from the sun and convert it into heat. Due to this reason, unlike the
burns from the sun’s ultraviolet light because the ozone layer that
troposphere, the stratosphere gets warmer the higher you go!
provides UV protection is in the stratosphere below. Meteorites burn in
this layer on entering the atmosphere from outer space.

Thermosphere: The density of molecules in the thermosphere is very

low. One gas molecule can go about a distance of 1 km without colliding
with another molecule. Because so little energy is transferred, the air
feels freezing. Satellites are found orbiting in the upper part of the
thermosphere.
Ionosphere
The ionosphere lies within the thermosphere. The ionosphere gets its
name from the solar radiation that ionizes gas molecules to create a
positively charged ion and one or more negatively charged electrons.
These freed electrons travel within the ionosphere as electric currents.
Exosphere: The exosphere is the final frontier of the Earth’s gaseous
Due to these free ions, the ionosphere has many interesting
envelope. There is no clear-cut distinction between the Earth’s
characteristics. The aurora, the Northern Lights and Southern Lights,
atmosphere layers and outer space. The air in the exosphere is constantly
occur in the Earth’s ionosphere.
but gradually leaking out of the Earth’s atmosphere into outer space.

 Altitude Range: About 85 kilometers (53 miles) and above  Altitude Range: Begins at the upper boundary of the
 Characteristics: The thermosphere is characterized by increasing thermosphere and extends into space.
temperatures with altitude. Despite the high temperatures, it would  Characteristics: The exosphere gradually transitions into outer
feel extremely cold to a human because the air density is extremely space and is where the atmosphere becomes exceedingly thin.
low. The International Space Station (ISS) orbits in the lower part Gases in this layer are extremely sparse, and particles can escape
of the thermosphere. Earth's gravitational pull into space.
 A hydrosphere is the total amount of water on a planet. The hydrosphere
It's important to note that the boundary between these includes water that is on the surface of the planet, underground, and in
atmospheric layers is not always sharply defined, and there can be some the air. It has been estimated that there are 1.386 billion cubic kilometers
overlap and variation depending on factors like latitude, season, and solar (333 million cubic miles) of water on Earth. The term "hydrosphere" has
activity. These layers have distinct characteristics and are important for its origins in ancient Greek. It is derived from two Greek words:
various atmospheric processes, including weather, climate, and the
behavior of spacecraft and satellites in Earth's orbit. "Hydor," which means "water."
"Sphaira," which means "sphere" or "ball."

these words form "hydrosphere," which essentially means "water

Hydrosphere sphere" or "water envelope." This term accurately describes the Earth's
water component, encompassing all the water on or near the planet's
surface, including oceans, freshwater, ice, and atmospheric water vapor.
The Greek roots of the word emphasize the importance of water as a
fundamental and pervasive element on Earth.

The hydrosphere is the Earth's total water component, encompassing all

forms of water on or near the planet's surface. It includes water in its
various states: liquid, solid (ice), and gas (water vapor). The hydrosphere
plays a crucial role in the Earth's geology, climate, and overall habitability.

Here are some key components and aspects of the hydrosphere:

  Oceans: The largest part of the hydrosphere is the Earth's oceans,
which cover about 71% of the planet's surface. These vast bodies
of saltwater are critical for regulating the planet's climate, as they
absorb and release heat and carbon dioxide. They also support a
wide range of marine life.

 Freshwater: While most of Earth's water is in the oceans, a

smaller percentage is freshwater, which is found in lakes, rivers,
groundwater, and glaciers. Freshwater is essential for drinking,
agriculture, industry, and various ecological processes.

 Ice and Glaciers: The hydrosphere includes ice and glaciers found
in polar regions and high mountain ranges. These ice masses store
a significant portion of the Earth's freshwater, and they play a role
in regulating sea levels.

 Atmospheric Water: Water in the form of water vapor is a part of

the atmosphere. It contributes to weather and climate patterns
through processes like evaporation, condensation, and
precipitation.

 Groundwater: Water stored beneath the Earth's surface in

aquifers and underground reservoirs is also part of the The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, is a continuous and
hydrosphere. Groundwater is a vital source of freshwater for natural process that describes the movement of water on, above, and
drinking and irrigation. below the Earth's surface. It involves the constant cycling of water
between various reservoirs, such as the oceans, atmosphere, land, and
 Surface Water: Rivers, lakes, and reservoirs are examples of groundwater. The water cycle consists of several key processes:
surface water bodies that make up a portion of the hydrosphere.
They support ecosystems, provide freshwater resources, and play a 1) Evaporation
role in transportation and recreation. 2) Condensation
3) Precipitation
 Water Cycle: The movement of water through various processes, 4) Infiltration and Runoff
such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, and 5) Transpiration
groundwater flow, constitutes the water cycle. It is a fundamental 6) Sublimation and Deposition
process that redistributes water throughout the hydrosphere. 7) Surface Water Movement

Water Cycle
 Transpiration: Plants absorb water from the soil through their roots. This
water is then transported through the plant and released into the
atmosphere through small openings in the leaves in a process called
transpiration. Transpiration is sometimes considered a part of the water
cycle because it returns water vapor to the atmosphere.

Sublimation and Deposition: Sublimation is the direct transition of

water vapor into ice (solid) without passing through the liquid phase.
Deposition is the reverse process, where water vapor changes directly into
ice. These processes are particularly relevant in regions with ice and
snow, such as polar areas.

Surface Water Movement: Water in lakes, rivers, and oceans can also
evaporate directly into the atmosphere. This movement of water between
surface bodies and the atmosphere is another important aspect of the
water cycle.
“Water Cycle Diagram”
The water cycle is a continuous and interconnected process that helps
Evaporation: Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a distribute freshwater across the planet. It plays a vital role in maintaining
liquid state (such as in oceans, lakes, and rivers) to a gaseous state ecosystems, supplying freshwater for human consumption, agriculture,
(water vapor) due to the input of heat energy, typically from the Sun. and industry, and influencing weather patterns and climate. It is driven
This water vapor rises into the atmosphere. primarily by solar energy, which heats the Earth's surface and powers the
evaporation process, and it helps balance the distribution of water
Condensation: As water vapor rises into the atmosphere, it cools and resources on Earth.
condenses into tiny water droplets, forming clouds. This process is crucial
for cloud formation and plays a central role in weather patterns.
Why Do We Care About the Water Cycle
Precipitation: When cloud droplets combine and grow large enough,
they fall to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which can include rain, Water in the Soil
snow, sleet, or hail, depending on temperature and other factors.
Humans need water to drink, and to water the
Infiltration and Runoff: Precipitation that falls on the land surface can plants that grow our food. NASA has a satellite
take one of two paths. Some of it infiltrates into the ground, becoming called SMAP—short for Soil Moisture Active
groundwater, while the rest flows over the surface as runoff, eventually Passive—that measures how much water is in the
making its way into rivers, lakes, and oceans. top 2 inches (5 cm) of Earth’s soil. This can help
us understand the relationship between water in
the soil and severe weather conditions, such as
droughts.
 Water in the Atmosphere

NASA’s CloudSat mission studies water in our

atmosphere in the form of clouds. CloudSat
gathers information about clouds and how they
play a role in Earth’s climate. Also, the
international satellite called the Global
Precipitation Measurement Mission
(GPM) observes when, where and how much it
rains and snows on Earth.

Water in the Oceans

As Earth’s climate becomes warmer, land ice at

the North and South Poles starts melting. The
water then flows into the ocean, causing sea level
to rise. NASA’s Jason-3 mission—short for Joint
Altimetry Satellite Oceanography Network-3
—orbits Earth collecting information about sea When did Aqua launch?
level and ocean temperature. This helps track how May 4, 2002
the ocean responds to Earth’s changing climate.
Where is Aqua?
438 miles (705 km) above Earth’s surface
NASA is also tracking how Earth’s water moves all around our planet. This
is the work of the GRACE-FO—or Gravity Recovery and Climate What does Aqua do?
Experiment-Follow On—mission. It tracks the movement of water from Aqua’s main goal is to improve our understanding of Earth's water cycle.
one month to the next, and can even measure changes in deep It collects information on ocean water, water vapor, clouds, precipitation,
groundwater hundreds of feet below Earth’s surface. soil moisture, sea and land ice, and snow cover. It was the first in NASA’s
“A-Train”, a group of satellites that orbit one right after the other like
NASA’s Aqua satellite also collects a large amount of information about train cars on a track.
Earth’s water cycle, including water in the oceans, clouds, sea ice, land ice
and snow cover.
 When did CloudSat Launch?
April 28, 2006

Where is CloudSat? When did GPM launch?

440 miles (710 km) from Earth
February 27, 2014
What does CloudSat do?
CloudSat uses a type of sensor called a radar. CloudSat's radar sends Where is GPM?
radio waves inside clouds. It then measures how these waves are
reflected back to the satellites. This helps us to better understand the 253 miles (407 km) above Earth
cloud’s structure. Scientists use data from NASA’s CloudSat and CALIPSO
satellites together to make 3D models of how clouds and tiny particles in What does GPM do?
the air (called aerosols) form, evolve and affect weather, climate, and air
quality. CloudSat was developed with the Canadian Space Agency. GPM stands for Global Precipitation Measurement. GPM is actually a
group of satellites from a lot of different countries. This satellite
network measures rain and snow worldwide. The main GPM satellite
(a partnership between NASA and Japan) has two instruments to
measure precipitation from space. GPM helps us learn about Earth's
water and energy cycles and improves forecasting of severe storms.
 When did Jason-3 launch?

When did GRACE-FO launch? January 17, 2016

May 22, 2018 Where is Jason-3?

Where is GRACE-FO? 830 miles (1336 km) from Earth

305 miles (490 km) above Earth What does Jason-3 do?

What does GRACE-FO do? Jason-3 is the fourth U.S.-European satellite mission that measures
ocean-surface height. Jason-3 will help us understand ocean circulation
GRACE-FO is the short name for the Gravity Recovery and Climate patterns, sea-level changes, and climate change.
Experiment Follow On. GRACE-FO measures changes in Earth’s gravity at
least once every 30 days. This helps scientists track the movement of
Earth's water across the planet. The satellite tracks changes in ice sheets,
glaciers, underground water storage, water in large lakes and rivers, and
sea level. GRACE-FO continues the original GRACE mission.
 ICE
Ice plays several important roles in the hydrosphere and has significant
impacts on the Earth's climate, environment, and geography:

Climate Regulation: Ice, particularly in the polar regions, reflects a

significant amount of sunlight back into space, which helps regulate the
Earth's temperature. This high reflectivity, known as albedo, contributes
When did SMAP launch?
to cooling the planet. The presence of ice caps and glaciers plays a role in
January 31, 2015 maintaining temperature balance by reducing the amount of solar energy
absorbed by the Earth's surface.
Where is SMAP?
Sea Level Control: Ice stored in glaciers and polar ice caps represents a
426 miles (686 km) above Earth substantial portion of the Earth's freshwater reserves. When ice melts, it
can contribute to rising sea levels. Conversely, when ice accumulates, it
What does SMAP do? can lower sea levels. Changes in ice cover are closely monitored because
they can have profound impacts on coastal regions.
SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) is a mission that measures the
amount of water in the top 2 inches (5 centimeters) of the soil, whether Freshwater Source: Ice, particularly in the form of glaciers and
its frozen or thawed. It can measure the salt levels at the ocean surface, icebergs, serves as a crucial source of freshwater. As ice melts, it can
too. SMAP improves our ability to predict and monitor floods and
release freshwater into rivers and lakes, supporting ecosystems and
droughts. It also helps to improve regular weather forecasts. It can also
providing a source of drinking water for human populations.
help predict how much food farm crops will produce.
Habitat for Wildlife: Ice-covered regions, such as the polar ice caps and
sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic, provide unique habitats for a variety of
wildlife species, including seals, penguins, polar bears, and many types of
seabirds. These ecosystems are adapted to the cold and ice-covered Copyright 2023 by Dr. Dodge Bryan. P. Toledo
environment.
All rights reserved. No part of this module may be copied, reproduced nor
Geological Processes: Ice plays a role in shaping the Earth's surface transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
through processes like glacial erosion and deposition. Glaciers can carve photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, with
valleys and fjords and transport sediments, influencing the landscape over permission in writing from the author.
long periods of time.
Cover Designed by: Dodge Bryan P. Toledo
Climate Records: Ice cores from polar ice caps and glaciers contain Published by: University of Antique
valuable climate records. By analyzing layers of ice, scientists can
reconstruct past climate conditions, including temperature, atmospheric
composition, and volcanic activity. Ice cores provide insights into Earth's
climate history.

Altering Ocean Properties: The melting of ice from glaciers and ice
sheets can release freshwater into the ocean. This influx of freshwater can
impact ocean circulation patterns, potentially affecting regional and global
climates.

Shipping and Transportation: In regions with seasonal sea ice, such as

the Arctic, ice can provide a natural barrier and limit shipping routes.
However, as ice melts due to climate change, new shipping routes and
opportunities for transportation are becoming available in the Arctic.

Tourism and Research: Ice-covered regions, such as Antarctica, attract

scientists and tourists alike. They offer unique opportunities for scientific
research and eco-tourism, contributing to our understanding of the
Earth's environment and ecosystems.

The role of ice in the hydrosphere is closely tied to climate

dynamics, sea level changes, ecosystem health, and geological processes.
Understanding the interactions between ice and the hydrosphere is crucial
for monitoring and responding to environmental changes, especially in the
context of ongoing climate change.