Course Code: AG 152 / ES161

Course Title: Environmental Science

Credits: 03
Spread over 6 Units

Unit 1
The multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies:
Definition, Scope and importance; Environmental Milestones.

Unit 2
Ecosystems:
Concept of an ecosystem (Abiotic and biotic environment), Structure and function of an ecosystem;
Producers, Consumers and decomposers. Energy flow in the ecosystem, (Nutrient cycle in the ecosystem)
Ecological succession, Food chain, food webs and ecological pyramids.
Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and function of the following ecosystems:
Forest ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem, Desert ecosystem, aquatic ecosystems.
 Unit 3
Biodiversity:
Definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity, Hot spots of biodiversity, Threats to biodiversity:
habitat loss, man wildlife conflicts. Endangered and endemic species of India, Conservation of biodiversity: In- situ
and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.
Unit 4
Natural Resources and non-renewable resources:
An overview of natural resources and associated problems.

Unit 5
Environmental Pollution; Solid waste management:
Causes, effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes. Role of individuals in pollution
prevention.
Unit 6
Environmental Ethics:
Science/Nature Debate; Global Environmental and climate change; Global Warming, Acidification of
oceans and Acid Rain, sea-level rise; Ozone layer depletion.
 Multidisciplinary Nature of
the Environment Study

What do we study in Environment Science?

About the Life on The Planet Earth

Planet Earth & India

as seen in
Space Satellite & Imagery

Earth has 4 Spheres

1. The Sphere
of Rocks—
Lithosphere

Hydrosphere
2. The Sphere
of Water— Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
3. The Sphere of
Life--
Biosphere

Biosphere
 Environment Study
Includes study of the
1. General Health of
Atmosphere
all Four Spheres
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere 4. The Gaseous
Sphere
Biosphere
Surrounding
Atmosphere. The Earth—
2. To find out Pollution Atmosphere
& its causes.
3. To work out
measures
to improve.

Environment
Science has
➢ Definition
➢ Goals
➢ Scope &
➢ Importance
 Definition
I. Environment science is the study of the..
(a) Condition of lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere & atmosphere around us
(b) Relationships, effects and interactions of physical, chemical & biological components in space, and also with
organisms in surroundings.
II. Goals for environment study
(i) To learn how natural world works;
(ii)To understand how we as humans interact with environment;
(iii) To determine how we impact or affect environment; and
(iv) How environment impacts lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere.
III. Scope of Environment Study
(i) Extraction and conservation of natural resources—Water, minerals, ores, wood…
(ii) Ecosystem and Ecology themes
(iii) Arresting fouling and resultant pollution of four spheres
(iv) Recovering and restoring polluted parts of spheres
(v) Social, psychological and health issues connected to fouling or pollution
(vi) Biomedical and biotechnical researches to improve health and lifestyle of living things
(vii) Mitigation and management of disasters, hazards and risks created due to environment deterioration
(vi) Mitigating negative impact of human population on environment.
Environment Study is important because of….
▪Our day-do-day activities hinged to 4 spheres of Earth system
▪Careful extraction and conservation of natural resources
▪Ecosystem and ecology themes
▪Stop fouling and resultant pollution of four spheres
▪Recovering and restoring polluted parts of spheres
▪Social, psychological and health issues connected to fouling and pollution;
▪Biomedical and biotechnical researches to improve health and lifestyle of living things
▪Management of disasters, hazards and risks created due to environment deterioration
▪Mitigating negative impacts of human population on environment…………
❑ Managing limited amounts of water, natural resources, forest and agricultural lands
❑ Identify lands suitable for habitats, after conducting environment studies
❑ Identifying slopes, debris accumulation and landslide-prone areas (not suitable for humans)
❑ Areas prone to flash floods and river-course changes are studied
❑ Cyclone and flood
❑ Studies lead to sustainable practices in preservation of natural resources………
❑ Health of Water and Air
❑ Natural Resource Management
 Environmental Milestones
❑ Refers to notable or major happenings in the field of Environment
❑ Vary from country to country; different parts of the world.
❑ Major development was creation of United Nations Environment Programme in 1972—Major Milestone

UNEP: 50 years of Environmental Milestones

1. Sweden June 1972: Landmark conference in Stockholm. Environment on the global agenda; formation of UNEP.
Development of international environmental law and the recognition of the importance of a healthy environment for people.
2. 1973: MARPOL treaty; rules on shipping to prevent spills and pollution from operations, administered by International
Maritime Organization became partner in UNEP to prevent marine pollution. June 5 declared as World Environment Day.
4. 1979: Bonn Convention provides a global platform for the conservation of migratory animals and their habitats. Protection
of >600 creatures, from white sharks to monarch butterflies. Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution signed.
5. 1980-81: Plans for Conservation of Nature; World Wildlife Fund created. 1980s as International Drinking Water Supply and
Sanitation Decade.
6. 1985: Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.
7. 1987: Our Common Future Report is published—Bertrand Report on Sustainability.
8. 1988: Launch of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
9. 1992: Convention for Biological Diversity signed.
10. 2000: Millennium Declaration; Declaration of Millennium Development Goals for biodiversity loss, forest cover and access
to safe drinking water.
Environmental Milestones—Indian Scenario
 Environment—the definition
➢ The surroundings or conditions in which a person / animal / plant lives or
operates.
➢ The natural world as a whole or in a particular geographical area,
especially as impacted by anthropogenic or human activity.
➢ The factors and influences that impact the growth, health, progress and
functioning of someone or home / school / office premises. (Ambience)
 Ecology and Ecosystem
➢ Ecology: Science of environment that surrounds all living and human beings
➢ Scientific analysis of interactions among organisms & their environment
➢ Deals with scientific perceptions on relations of organisms to one another & to their physical
surroundings & relating them to environment
➢ Patterns of co-existence & evolution of humans, animals & plants
➢ The way they mutually impact, benefit each other are studied in ecology.
➢ In Environment science we analyze---
➢ (i) quality, (ii) fouling or pollution, (iii) agents of fouling or pollution & (iv) reasons for pollution of---
➢ (a) air, (b) atmosphere, (c) water (d) personal living space.
➢ In Ecology (i) impact of changes in environment & (ii) result of fouling or pollution on humans, plants &
animals in lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere & atmosphere are dealt with.
➢ Agents & Causes of fouling or pollution of environment are identified & measures to counter effects of
pollution are identified for implementation of corrective measures.
➢ Ecology is of 4 types: 1. Organismal Ecology
2. Population Ecology
3. Community Ecology
4. Ecosystem Ecology
 4 types of Ecology
1. Organismal Ecology: Study of the interaction of species and their environment. Focuses on morphological,
physiological and behavioral adaptations / changes that let an organism survive in a specific habitat. (Example:
camouflaging in colour of certain species like butterfly)
(Karner blue butterfly is a rare butterfly
that lives only in open areas with few trees or
shrubs, such as pine barrens and oak savannas.
It can only lay its eggs on lupine plants.)

2. Population Ecology: Studies number of individuals in an area, as well as how and why their population size changes
over time.

3. Community Ecology: Deals with how community structure is modified by interactions among living organisms. Ecology
community is made up of two or more populations of different species living in a particular geographic area (Example:
Wildlife in deep forests).

4. Ecosystem Ecology: Deals with entire ecosystem, including study of living and non-living components and their
relationship with environment.
 Ecosystem
Components