UNIT 1

ENVIRONMENT
&
ECOSYSTEM

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Environment

means
French word ENVIRONER encircle/surround

Environment as the sum total of

water, air and land, their
interrelationship among themselves
and with the human beings, other
living beings and property.

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MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE

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Objectives and Guiding Principles of Environmental Studies

According to UNESCO (1971), the objectives of environmental studies are-

(a) Creating the awareness about environmental problems among people.

(b) Imparting basic knowledge about the environment and its allied problems.

(c) Developing an attitude of concern for the environment.

(d) Motivating public to participate in environment protection and

environment improvement.

(e) Acquiring skills to help the concerned individuals in identifying and solving
environmental problems.

(f) Striving to attain harmony with Nature.

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Types of Environment

1.Natural / Global Environment

without interference of human beings / widely
distributed
2.Anthropogenic / Manmade / Contained
Environment
modified by human activities according to their
need resulting in degradation / confined to a
particular area or location.

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Components of Environment
(i) Atmosphere
blanket of gases surrounding the earth

(ii) Hydrosphere
composed of various water bodies on the earth. It includes the
oceans, lakes, rivers, etc.

(iii) Lithosphere
contains various types of soils and rocks on earth

(iv) Biosphere
composed of all living organisms and their interactions with rest of the
environment, viz. atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere

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Atmosphere
Atmosphere is the protective thick gaseous
mantle, surrounding the earth which sustains
life on earth and saves it from unfriendly
environment of outer space.

Characteristic Features

1.Atmos meaning, an envelope of gases include nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide,
traces of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulphur and hydrocarbon, and very little
amount of water vapour.

2.It is mobile, elastic, compressible and expandable as made up of gases.

3.The atmosphere protects the earth’s biosphere by absorbing a major portion of the
electromagnetic radiation and most of the cosmic rays. The atmosphere also absorbs
infra-red radiation and thereby maintains the temperature of the earth at life sustaining
levels.

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Structure of the Atmosphere (Miller’s Profile)

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Hydrosphere- WATER (HYDROLOGICAL) CYCLE

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Lithosphere

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Biosphere

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Segments of Environment
PESTEL Analysis- Six segments of the general
environment-

(1)Political

(2)Economic

(3)Social

(4)Technological

(5)Environmental

(6)Legal
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Scope of Environmental Studies

i) Conservation of natural resources

ii) Ecological aspects
iii) Pollution of the surrounding natural
resources
iv) Controlling the pollution
v) Social issues connected to it
vi) Impacts of human population/activities on
the environment

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Importance of Environment

Atmosphere-
Contains Lifesaving gases- Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen.
Protects from unfriendly environment of outer space.
Hydrosphere-
Provides water for Domestic, Industrial and Agricultural uses
Lithosphere-
Helps in establishment of organisms.
Provides mechanical support to grow
Biosphere-
Our entire life support system is dependent on the well-being of all of
the species living on earth.
This association is visible in food chains, food web and ecological
pyramids which are following the rule of the nature- “Let others
Live and Live”.

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Ecosystem

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Components of Ecosystem

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Types

The Earth’s Giant Ecosystem

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Forest Ecosystem
30% of area should be covered with forest. At present it is only 8-10%.
Abiotic Components-
Light conditions may vary due to complex stratification in plants.
Minerals are abundant.
Organic matter adds to the soil from debris and litter accumulation.
Biotic Components-
Producers- Much species diversity mainly trees or shrubs. Shorea
robusta, Tectona grandis, Thuja, Juniperous
Consumers-
Primary- Ants, Flies, Bugs, Spiders (on leaves): Elephant, Deer,
Squirrel (leaves, Fruits)
Secondary- Snakes, Birds, Lizards, Wolf
Tertiary- Lion, Tiger
Decomposer-
Fungi- Aspergillus, Ganoderma, Fusrium
Bacteria- Bacillus, Clostridium
Actinomycetes- Streptomyces

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Desert Ecosystem
17% of total land area is desert. Extremely low rainfall,
dry condition so vegetation is scarce.
Abiotic Components-
Temperature very high, low rainfall.
Nutrient recycling is poor due to scanty biota.
Biotic Components-
Producers- Grassy shrubs and few thorny trees.
Cactus, Lichen, Mosses.
Consumers- Insects, Reptiles, Birds, Camel.
Decomposer- very few Fungi, Bacteria.

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Lentic (Pond/Lake Ecosystem)
Abiotic Components- Chemicals especially in dissolved
state. Climate suitable.
Biotic Components-
Producers-
Phytoplanktons- Ulothrix, Spirogyra, Volvox,
Anabaena
Macrophytes- Hydrilla, Utricularis, Azolla,
Lemna.
Consumers-
Primary- Zooplanktons, Annelids, Molluscs.
Secondary- Insects, Fishes
Tertiary- Large Fishes
Decomposers- Fungi, Bacteria, Actinomycetes
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Estuary Ecosystem-

Abiotic Components- Combination of fresh and marine

ecosystem (brackish water ecosystem). Most productive
ecosystem.
Biotic Components-
Producers- Sea grasses, Sea Weeds, Phytoplanktons,
Algae
Consumers- Oysters, Crabs, Fishes.
Decomposer- Fungi, Bacteria, Actinomycetes

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Structure of Ecosystem

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Food Chains
Three important types of Food chains-
1.Grazing food chain-
Terrestrial
Grasses → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake →
Hawk
Aquatic
Phytoplanktons → Zooplanktons → Fish → Crane → Hawk
2. Detritus Food Chain-
Detritus → Microorganisms → Crabs and Shrimps → Small Fishes → Large Fishes

3. Parasitic Food Chain

Tree → Birds → Insects/Mites → Microorganisms

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Food Web

A network of food chains which are interconnected at various trophic

levels, so as to form a number of feeding connections amongst different
organisms of a biotic community is called food web.

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 Pyramid of Pyramid of Pyramid of
Number Biomass Energy
Ecosystems
↓
Grassland Upright▲ Upright▲
Always
Upright
Forest Rhomboidal Upright▲
(Partially ▲
Inverted,
Partially
Upright)
Pond Upright▲ Inverted▼

Parasitic Inverted▼ Upright▲

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Balanced or Ideal Ecosystem

Ecosystem which ensures survival of man with a reasonably

good quality of life supporting sustainable development. It
satisfies following conditions-
The population of the any species is limited to the available food resource
potential.
The species diversity is adequate for the efficient recycling of materials in
the ecosystem.
The pollution loads do not exceed the self-purification capacity of the
system.
The energy consumption system is minimized and dependent on renewable
sources of energy.
The system is capable of continuing indefinitely without heading up towards
the dead end.
The system dynamics proceeds towards new evolutionary trends without
losing stability.

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Effects of Human Activities on Environment
Effects of Human Activities such as Food, Shelter, Housing, Agriculture, Industry, Mining,
Transportation, Economic and Social security

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Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)

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Advantages of EIA Limitations of EIA

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Sustainable Development

Sustainable development can be defined as an approach to the economic

development of a country without compromising with the quality of the
environment for future generations.

Sustainable Development Goals

To promote the kind of development that minimizes environmental problems.

To meet the needs of the existing generation without compromising with the
quality of the environment for future generations.

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Achieving Sustainable Development

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 Definition
“Social security is the protection
which society provides for its members
through a series of public measure,
against the economic and social
distress that otherwise would be
caused by the substantial stoppage of
earning resulting from :- sickness ,
maternity ,injury , unemployment, old
age and death.
Need of Social Security
 Protects not just the subscriber but also
his/her entire family by giving benefit packages
in financial security and health care.
Acts as a facilitator - helps people to plan
their own future through insurance and
assistance.
For a worker/employee- a source of Social
Security protection for himself and his family.
An employer- responsible for providing
adequate social security coverage to all your
workers.
 Methods

Social insurance scheme protects an individual

from falling to the depths of poverty and nursery

Social assistance is one of the device according to

which benefits are given as a legal right to workers who are eligible for such
assistance.
 Social Assisstance Social Insurance
Difference
A method to provide benefits to persons
A method to provide benefits as a matter
usually of small means in amounts sufficient of right for persons of small earnings, in
to meet a minimum standards of living from amounts which combine the contributions
general revenues of the state. of the beneficiaries with subsidies from the
employer and the state

Non contributory Contributory

For the vulnerable groups of the For the well-organized, legally regulated,
community (children, mothers, invalids, financially stable community.
aged people, disabled)

Cannot be claimed as a matter of right Can be claimed as a matter of right

(Provided)
Schemes in India
Prevention
Promotion
Protection
 Preventive Schemes
:
Preventive Schemes are
 aimed at risk prevention.
 In the strategy of social management of risks, preventive approach tries
to prevent poverty
 helps people under below poverty line to come above poverty line.
Preventive health care, vaccinations against diseases forms part of the
preventive strategies. Majority of the schemes are of social assistance in
nature.
 Promotional Schemes
:
Promotional social security schemes are mainly means of tested Social
Assistance type to guarantee minimum standards of living to vulnerable groups
of population

The Governments at the State and Centre draft schemes financed from the
general revenues of the Government.

These are the strategies of risk mitigation.

These guarantee: Food and Nutritional Security ,Employment security ,Health

Security ,Education Security Women Security
Examples of schemes in the Promotional
Social Security
:
Food for work
Jawahar Rojgar Yojana
Rural Landless Laborers Employment Guarantee Schemes Programmes of
Integrated Rural Development Project Drought prone area Programmes
Sakshara
Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)
Public Distribution System
Reservations for the disabled in services
Special educational institutions for the disabled persons etc.
Protective Social Security Programmes
:
The protective social security programmes help the poor in
removing/reducing contingent poverty. In India, the protective social security
programmes have been designed to address the contingent poverty or the
contingencies defined by the ILO. These programmes take care of , Old-
age income needs (Old age pension) Survival benefits (Provident Funds)
Medical need of insured families (Medical Insurance) Widow and
children/dependant economic needs (Widow/Children/orphan, and
dependent pension) Maternity benefits Compensation for loss of
employment and Work injury benefits.
 Protective Social Security
Programmes
:
The benefits are extended only to working population majority of
whom are in the organized sector through legislations like:
Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923
Employees State Insurance Act, 1948
Employees Provident Fund and
Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
Maternity Benefits Act, 1961
Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages-
help to make people capable of earning an income and to increase their
productive potential;
 help to maintain effective demand at the national level; and help create
conditions in which a market economy can flourish,
by encouraging workers to accept innovation and change.
Disadvantages-
discourages people from working and saving
 reduce international competitiveness and employment creation, and
 encourages people to withdraw from the labor market prematurely.
FOOD SECURITY
Food security means availability, accessibility and affordability of food to all people at all
times.

Food security
Food security has the following dimensions
(a) availability of food means food production within the country, food imports and the
previous year’s stock stored in government granaries.
(b) accessibility means food is within reach of every person.
(c) affordability implies that an individual has enough money to buy sufficient, safe and
nutritious food to meet one’s dietary needs.
Food security is ensured in a country only if
(1) enough food is available for all the persons
(2) all persons have the capacity to buy food of acceptable quality
(3) there is no barrier on access to food.

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Need of security

During natural calamity such as drought, production of food grains get decreased,
creating a shortage of food in the affected areas.

The prices get increased due to shortage of food. People cannot afford to buy food and if
such a calamity happens in a very wide spread area or is stretched over a longer time
period, it might cause a situation of starvation.

Massive starvation might take a turn into a famine. A Famine is characterised by

widespread deaths due to starvation and epidemics caused by forced use of contaminated
water or decaying food and loss of body resistance due to weakening from starvation.

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Who are food-insecure?
In India, a large section of people suffers from food and nutrition insecurity. People having little
or no land, traditional artisans, petty self-employed workers and destitute including beggars are
the worst affected groups.
In the urban areas, the food-insecure families are those who are generally employed in ill-paid
occupations and the casual labour market. These workers are largely engaged in seasonal
activities and are paid very low wages.
The social composition along with the inability to buy food also plays a role in food insecurity.
People who have either poor land-base or very low land productivity are prone to food insecurity.
People affected by natural disasters, who migrate to other areas in search of work, are among the
most food-insecure people. A large proportion of pregnant and nursing mothers and children
under the age of 5 years constitute an important segment of the food insecure population.

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Another aspect of food insecurity is hunger, which is not just an expression of poverty, it
brings about poverty. Hunger has chronic and seasonal dimensions. Chronic hunger is a
consequence of diets persistently inadequate in terms of quantity and/or quality. Seasonal
hunger is related to cycles of food growing and harvesting.

India is aiming at self-sufficiency in food grains. After Independence, Indian policymakers

adopted all measures to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains. In the field of agriculture,
India adopted a new strategy, which resulted in the ‘Green Revolution’

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Food Security in India

Since the Green Revolution, the country has avoided famine even during adverse weather
conditions. India has become self-sufficient in food grains during the last 30 years because
of a variety of crops grown all over the country. The availability of food grains has been
ensured with a carefully designed food security system by the government.
This system has two components:
(a)buffer stock,
(b)(b) public distribution system.

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Buffer stock

Buffer Stock is the stock of food grains, namely wheat and rice, procured by the government
through the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
The stock of wheat and rice are purchased by the FCI from the farmers where there is surplus
production.
The farmers are paid a pre announced price for their crops, called Minimum Support Price
(MSP).
Every year, the MSP is declared by the government before the sowing season to provide
incentives to farmers for raising the production of these crops.

Buffer Stock is created to distribute foodgrains in the deficit areas and among the poorer
section of the society at a price lower than the market price also known as Issue Price.

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Public Distribution System
FCI distributes the food procured from the farmer through government-regulated ration
shops. It is called the Public Distribution System (PDS). Ration shops also, known as Fair
Price Shops, keep stock of food grains, sugar, and kerosene for cooking. Rationing in India
was introduced during the 1940s against the backdrop of the Bengal famine. In the mid-
1970s, three important food intervention programmes were introduced:
1.Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains
2.Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) a
3.Food-for-Work (FFW).
At present, there are several Poverty Alleviation Programmes (PAPs), mostly in rural areas,
which have an explicit food component also. Employment programmes greatly contribute to
food security by increasing the income of the poor.

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Current Status of Public the Distribution System

Public Distribution System (PDS) is the most important step taken by the Government of
India towards ensuring food security. In 1992, Revamped Public Distribution System
(RPDS) was introduced in the country. From June 1997, Targeted Public Distribution System
(TPDS) was introduced to adopt the principle of targeting the ‘poor in all areas’. In 2000,
two special schemes were launched Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Annapurna Scheme
(APS).Over the year, the PDS proved to be the most effective instrument of government
policy in stabilising prices and making food available to consumers at affordable prices.

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Role of cooperatives in food security
In India, the cooperatives are also playing an important role in food security especially in the
southern and western parts of the country. The cooperative societies set up shops to sell low
priced goods to poor people. Some of the examples of cooperative societies are Mother Dairy
in Delhi, Amul from Gujarat, Academy of Development Science (ADS) in Maharashtra.
Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is one that contains all of the essential elements that the human body needs.
Carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, proteins, fiber and water are all essential components
in a well-balanced diet. A nutritious, well-balanced diet lowers the risk of disease and enhances
general health.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition can mean undernutrition or overnutrition. It can also mean an imbalance of
macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) or micronutrients (vitamins and
minerals).Undernutrition is characterized by a lack of nutrients and insufficient energy supply,
whereas overnutrition is characterized by excessive nutrient and energy intake.

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Shelter Security

Shelter is basic need of life not only for humans but also for animals. Shelter provides
security from harsh environment conditions and also from dangerous animals.
Shelter: Primary Need of Life
Shelter is one of the key elements of survival along with food and water. Birds, animals,
insects, humans, and all other organisms need shelter to survive. Shelter provides protection
from weather and any other kind of danger. Shelter can be terrestrial, grassland, temperate,
tropical, aquatic etc.

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Shelter can be classified into:

1. Permanent Shelter: These are the places where human or animal lives for very
longer duration e.g. houses, caves, nest of birds etc. Permanent place are made up of
cement and bricks and they are strong in structure.
2. Temporary Shelter: These are the place where animals and humans live only for
short duration and for any specific purpose. e.g. bus shelters, house boats, migratory
birds' nest at different place, tent houses, caravan, shelter home etc.
Despite the absence of a specific legislation on the human right to adequate housing
in India, the courts have interpreted Article 21 in the Constitution of India to include
the right to housing as an integral part of the right to life .

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Need of Shelter Security:

1. Shelter security is an issue of great concern, since the number of

homeless people worldwide has grown considerably in recent years.
2. With increasing population, there is also increasing pressure on finite
land resources for housing.
3. Fast depletion of natural resources, shrinking land, rising pollution
levels and associated health problems have forced us to re-look at the
structure and design of buildings by introducing environmental
approach to buildings.

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Bio-magnification

 Bio-magnification stands for Biological Magnification, which refers to the growth of

harmful compounds in food chains.
 Heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic, pesticides such as DDT and polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) are among the contaminants that are taken up by organisms as a
result of the food they eat.
 These toxic compounds then accumulate within the cells of the organism. The build-
up of toxic substances in the tissue of a certain organism is known as bio-
accumulation.
 As these compounds are slowly eliminated or metabolized/broken down, their
concentration in organisms increases as they go up the food chain.
 This usually happens throughout a food chain and affects all creatures, but animals
higher up the food chain are more affected.

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Example of Bio-magnification
1. Entry of Toxins Into Phytoplanktons
Small plants that float in the sea and absorb pollutants are known as phytoplankton.Toxins
are absorbed and remain in their body's tissues without being eliminated or broken
down.Toxins accumulate in high quantities of up to 200 parts per trillion over time,
representing a fourfold increase in toxin accumulation.
2. Entry of Toxins Into Zooplanktons
Small marine invertebrates that float in the seas are referred to as zooplankton.They eat
the phytoplankton and absorb the poison as a result.Toxins are trapped in the tissue of
the organism and are not eliminated or broken down.The toxin concentration rises to
two parts per billion over time, which is a ten-fold increase over the prior
concentration.
3. Consumption of Zooplanktons by Small Fish
When little fish consume zooplanktons, they absorb the poisons.They are then absorbed
into their fatty tissues.As a result, buildup develops, resulting in concentrations of
around 20 parts per billion, a ten-fold increase.

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4. Consumption of Small Fish by Larger Ones
When giant fish graze on smaller fish for nourishment, the poisons that build in their fatty
tissues are consumed.The concentrations increase until they reach 80 to 100 parts per
billion.The hazardous levels have increased by four to five times.

5. Organisms on Top of the Food Chain

When enormous fish are consumed, the species at the top of the food chain, such as
dolphins, sea birds, and humans, gradually accumulate poisons in their tissues, such as their
liver.The concentrations reach the highest ranges of 10,000 to 15,000 parts per billion in this
area.Since the effects interfere with the normal functioning of essential organs, the animals'
fertility is affected, and they are more susceptible to effects.

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Effects of Bio-magnification
1. Impact on Human Health
 Mercury, cadmium, lead, cobalt, chromium, and other chemicals make people more
susceptible to cancer, liver and kidney failure, respiratory illnesses, birth defects in
pregnant women, brain damage, and heart disease and even death.
 Consumption of mercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-tainted seafood, for
example, has been linked to ailments like hepatitis and cancer (PAHs).
2. Effects on Reproduction and Development of Marine Creatures
 The accumulation of hazardous substances and elements in the critical organs of
aquatic species has an impact on their reproduction and growth.
 Seabird eggs, for example, have thinner shells than typical, which can lead to the birds
breaking their eggs rather than incubating them.
 Selenium and other heavy metals, such as mercury, have a negative impact on fish
reproduction by destroying their reproductive organs.

3. Destruction of the Coral Reefs

 Cyanide, which is used in gold leaching and fishing, destroys coral reefs.Various sea
creatures use the reefs as spawning, feeding, and living grounds and thus get
damaged.

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