SCI 106 – Environmental Science

DEFINITIONS OF ENVIRONMENT:
Chapter 1: Understanding Our Environment Some important definitions of environment are as under:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 1. According to Boring, ‘A person’s environment consists of the
• is the interdisciplinary field and requires the study of the sum total of the stimulation which he receives from his
interactions among the physical, chemical and biological conception until his death.’ Indicating that environment
components of the Environment with a focus on comprises various types of forces such as physical, intellectual,
environmental pollution and degradation. mental, economical, political, cultural, social, moral and
• is a multidisciplinary subject where different aspects are dealt emotional.
with in a holistic approach.
2. Douglas and Holland defined that ‘The term environment is
Comprises various branches of studies used to describe, in aggregate, all the external forces, influences
• Chemistry and conditions, which affect the life, nature, behaviour and the
• Physics growth, development and maturity of living organisms’.
• Life science
• Medical science SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENT:
• Agriculture The environment consists of four segments of the earth namely
• Public health atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere:
• Sanitary engineering
• Geography 1. Atmosphere
• Geology ➢ The Atmosphere forms a distinctive protective layer about
• Atmospheric science 100 km thick around the earth.
➢ A blanket of gases called the atmosphere surrounds the
earth and protects the surface of earth from the Sun’s
ENVIRONMENT harmful, ultraviolet rays. It sustains life on the earth.
• derived from the French word ‘Environner’ which means to ➢ It also regulates temperature, preventing the earth from
encircle, around or surround. becoming too hot or too cold. It saves it from the hostile
environment of outer space.
Jacob Van Uerkal (1864-1944) ➢ The atmosphere is composed of nitrogen and oxygen
o introduced the term ‘environment’ in Ecology. besides, argon, carbon dioxide and trace gases.
o Ecology is the study of the interactions between an
organism of some kind and its environment. 2. Hydrosphere
o Environment is the sum total of land, water, air, ➢ The Hydrosphere comprises all types of water resources
interrelationships among themselves and also with the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar
human beings and other living organisms. icecaps, glaciers, and ground water.
(Environment Protection Act 1986) ➢ Oceans represent 97% of the earth’s water and about 2%
of the water resources is locked in the polar icecaps and
glaciers.

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SCI 106 – Environmental Science
➢ Only about 1% is available as fresh water as surface water 3. Cultural elements
in rivers, lakes, streams, and as ground water for human ➢ Cultural elements such as economical, social and political
use. elements are essentially man- made features, which make
the cultural background.
3. Lithosphere
➢ Lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth. IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
➢ It consists of minerals occurring in the earth’s crusts and
1. Environment Issues are being of Global:
the soil.
• It has been well recognised that environment issues like
➢ e.g. minerals, organic matter, air and water.
global warming and ozone depletion, acid rain, marine
pollution and biodiversity are not merely national issues
4. Biosphere
but are global issues and hence require international
➢ Biosphere indicates the realm of living organisms and their
efforts and cooperation to solve them.
interactions with environment, viz atmosphere,
hydrosphere and lithosphere.
2. Development and Environment:
• Development leads to Urbanization, Industrial Growth,
The scope of environmental studies is very wide and it deals with
Telecommunication and Transportation Systems, Hi-tech
many areas like:
Agriculture and Housing etc. However, it has become
i. Conservation of natural resources phased out in the developed world. The North
ii. ecological aspects intentionally moves their dirty factories to South to cleanse
iii. pollution of the surrounding natural resources their own environment. When the West developed, it did
iv. controlling the pollution so perhaps in ignorance of the environmental impact of
v. social issues connected to it its activities. Development of the rich countries of the
vi. impacts of human population on the environment. world has undesirable effects on the environment of the
entire world.

ELEMENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT 3. Explosive Increase in Pollution

• World census reflects that one in every seven persons in
1. Physical elements
this planet lives in India. Evidently with 16 per cent of the
➢ Physical elements are space, landforms, water bodies,
world's population and only 2.4 per cent of its land area,
climate, soils, rocks and minerals.
there is a heavy pressure on the natural resources
➢ They determine the variable character of the human
including land. Agricultural experts have recognized soil
habitat, its opportunities as well as limitations.
health problems like deficiency of micronutrients and
organic matter, soil salinity and damage of soil structure.
2. Biological elements
➢ Biological elements such as plants, animals,
microorganisms and men constitute the biosphere.

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SCI 106 – Environmental Science
4. Need for an Alternative Solution
• It is essential, specially for developing countries to find
Chapter 2: Ecosystems
alternative paths to an alternative goal. We need a goal Understand how organisms interact with and respond to
as under: the biotic and abiotic components of their environment.

o A true goal of development with an environmentally The Organization of Ecosystems

sound and sustainable development. • How would you describe the area where you live?
o A goal common to all citizens of our planet earth. • Do you live near:
o A goal distant from the developing world in the o The ocean
manner it is from the over-consuming wasteful societies o The mountains
of the “developed” world. • What type of trees grow around you?
• Everything that surrounds you makes up your environment.
5. Need for Wise Planning of Development • All organisms live and depend on their environment.
• Our survival and sustenance depend on resources
availability. Hence Resources withdraw, processing and BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC FACTORS
use of the products have all to be synchronised with the • All Earthly organisms are found in the Biosphere
ecological cycle. In any plan of development our actions • Includes:
should be planned ecologically for the sustenance of the ▪ Land
environment and development. ▪ Water
▪ Lowest part of the atmosphere
6. Misra (1991) recognized four basic principles of ecology, as • Living things can be found almost everywhere
under: including very hot and cold places as well as the
• Holism, (ii) Ecosystem, (iii) Succession and (iv) deep ocean.
Conversation.
Ecosystem
• Holism has been considered as the real base of ecology. ➢ Includes all living and non-living parts of the environment
In hierarchical levels at which interacting units of ecology as well as the interactions among them.
are discussed, are as under:
Biotic Factors
Misra (1991) has recognised four basic requirements of ➢ Living parts of an ecosystem
environmental management as under: ➢ Includes remains and wastes
o Impact of human activities on the environment
o Value system Abiotic Factors
o Plan and design for sustainable development ➢ Non-living parts of an ecosystem
o Environment education ➢ Includes light, temperature, weather, soil and water

• Abiotic factors determine which organisms can live in an

ecosystem
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SCI 106 – Environmental Science
• Ecosystems contain different habitats
o The place where an organism lives
o Supplies all of the biotic and abiotic factors an
organism needs to survive.
o Different organisms need different habitats.
• Habitats all supply same basic needs
o Air, warmth, water and food
Niche
➢ How an organism acts within its ecosystem
➢ Another way to look at this is the organisms role
• Some animals eat other animals, some eat plants
• Some plants grow in sunny areas, some need shade
• Worms and bacteria break down dead organisms for energy
and recycle the nutrients into the ecosystem
• This creates Biodiversity
o The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat
or ecosystem.
LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION
• An organism is any living thing
o This is the simplest level of organization
Species
➢ A group of organisms that share most characteristics and
can breed with one another.
Population
➢ All organisms of a species that live in the same place at
the same time
➢ Members of a population compete with each other for
resources for survival
Community
➢ All of the populations that live in an area at the same time
Ecosystem
➢ One or more communities and their nonliving environment
• Populations in a community interact in many ways
o They compete for resources like water and space
o They compete for food
o Some avoid competition by finding different niches like
eating at night or other animals leftovers
o Plants also compete for resources like water, sunlight,
and living spaces
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS IN ECOSYSTEM
• An ecosystem includes all the living and non-living things that
interact with each other in a certain environment.
• Organisms interact with each other as well as with other
organisms of their own species
LIMITING FACTORS
Limiting Factors are… (two similar definitions)
➢ conditions of the environment that limit the growth of a
species.
➢ biotic and abiotic factors that prevent the continuous
growth of a population.
➢ Populations would continue to increase if they had all of
the resources they require in unlimited amounts, but there
are always factors that limit their increase.
➢ Limiting factors control population growth.
Carrying Capacity
➢ Because of these limiting factors, each ecosystem has
a finite capacity for growth connected to its carrying
capacity.
➢ Carrying capacity is the number of individuals of a
species that an ecosystem can support.
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SCI 106 – Environmental Science
2 TYPES OF LIMITING FACTORS All equally affected! The event will disrupt class regardless of
• Density-dependent and Density-independent size – everyone will have the opportunity to go.

➢ Population density describes the number of individuals in COMPETITION

a given area. ➢ Competition is density-dependant
➢ Occurs when organisms in an ecosystem try to get the
1. Density-dependent
same resources.
➢ Density-dependent factors include disease, competition,
➢ When organisms compete, some will get the resources
predators, parasites, and food.
they need to survive
➢ Disease, for example, can spread more quickly in a
o Others will not and will have to move on or die off
population with members that live close together.

Its flu season, and lots of sick students are coming to school. COEXIST AND COOPERATION
They are coughing, sneezing, and touching everything. Ten Coexist
➢ Organisms that live in the same habitat but rely on
percent of Ms. Deaton’s students have the flu, but are so
different resources
dedicated they come to class anyway. If Ms. Deaton wipes
down every desk before every class, which class will be most
Cooperation
affected by the flu? ➢ Helpful interaction among organisms living in a limited
2nd period, because they have the greatest population density. area
➢ This is where organisms share resources
A larger number of students will be infected and have
opportunity to infect a larger number of healthy students.
PREDATION
Predation
➢ Relationship in which one animal hunts, kills, and eats
2. Density-independent another
➢ Density-independent factors can affect all populations,
regardless of their density. Predator
➢ Most density-independent factors are abiotic factors, ➢ Animals that kill and eat each other
such as temperature, storms, floods, drought, and major
habitat disruption Prey
➢ Animals that are killed and eaten
Six new students were added to 4th period. The population
*Some animals can be both prey and predator.
densities of all the classes is now the same. The school is
sponsoring an event that allows students to miss 1st, 2nd, 3rd
and 4th periods. Which classes will be most affected?

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SCI 106 – Environmental Science
SYMBIOSIS • North Carolina’s main terrestrial ecosystems are forests.
Symbiosis o Described as temperate deciduous forest
➢ Close relationship between two different species of • Temperate means mild climate
organisms living together • Deciduous means trees lose leaves in the fall

Mutualism FLOW OF ENERGY IN THE ECOSYSTEMS

➢ Relationship in which both species benefit
Commensalism
➢ Relationship where one species benefits without
benefiting or harming the other species
Parasitism
➢ Relationship between a parasite and its host
Parasite
➢ An organism that lives on or in another organism
and benefits at the other organisms expense
Host
➢ An organism that a parasite lives on or in
• Organisms need energy for cells to function
• Because of this need for energy, organisms are connected by
feeding relationships
PRODUCERS, CONSUMERS, AND DECOMPOSERS
Producers
• An organism that produces its own food
• Also called Autotrophs
o Producers
• Includes plants, algae, and bacteria
• Many make food through photosynthesis
o Uses light energy to combine carbon dioxide and
water to produce glucose and oxygen.

ECOSYSTEMS (THREE MAIN CATEGORIES) Consumers

• Organisms that cannot make their own food
1. Terrestrial
• Also called heterotrophs
– Terrestrial are on land
o Consumers
• Forrest, deserts, grasslands
• All animals are consumers
o Some eat producers
2. Freshwater
o Some eat other consumers
– Freshwater are also found on land
• Rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands
• First-order Consumer
• Feeds directly on producers
3. Marine
– Marine are in the ocean
• Second-order Consumer
• Wherever there is salt water
• Feeds on first-order consumers

• Third-order Consumer
• Feeds on second-order consumers
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SCI 106 – Environmental Science
Decomposers the higher-level consumers like foxes and hawks to move
• An organism that gets energy by breaking down the remains away or die off.
of dead organisms and the wastes of living things.
• Another kind of heterotroph • Not all the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the
• Most fungi and bacteria fall into this category next level.
• Earthworms and insects also o This is called an Energy Pryamid
• They are often called nature’s recyclers • graphical representation of the trophic levels
• They return carbon and nitrogen to the air and soil. (nutritional) by which the incoming
solar energy is transferred into an ecosystem.
o Organisms at each level use some of the energy to
FOOD CHAINS AND FOOD WEBS carry out life processes.
o They release some into the environment as heat
Trophic Level
o Some is stored in the organisms
• Each feeding level in an ecosystem
• Like bones and teeth
• Producers make up the first level
• Some parts cannot be
• Consumers at each level get energy by feeding on organisms
decomposed/consumed
at a lower level
• Only about 10% of the energy at one level is passed to the
Food Chain
next.
• A series of organisms in which each feeds on the one at the
next lower level.
THE CYCLING OF MATTER IN ECOSYSTEMS
* Decomposers break down the remains and wastes of all
organisms in the chain. • The Earth constantly receives energy from the sun
• Because of this, the amount of matter does not change, just
• Food chains show only one path for the flow of energy its form on earth.
o Feeding relationships are more complicated. • Matter is recycled from organisms to the environment and
back again.
Food Web • There are three main cycles:
➢ A network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem o Carbon
o Nitrogen
• Populations of organisms in a food web are all connected. o Water
o A change to one population affects the other
populations in the web
THE CARBON CYCLE
• An example is if a disease decreases the number of Carbon Cycle
grasshoppers would lead to a decrease in the number of • Carbon moves among the air, the ground, and the
small birds that feed on the grasshoppers. This would cause plants/animals

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SCI 106 – Environmental Science
• Carbon is found in all living organisms Evaporation
o Also found in the atmosphere, gasoline, and many ➢ Process where liquid changes to gas
rocks
• Carbon stored in organisms cannot be reused until the Transpiration
organism is eaten or decomposed. ➢ Water vapor is released through tiny openings in plant
leaves
Decomposition ➢ Animals also add water vapor to the atmosphere
• Bacteria or other decomposers break down dead organisms through breathing
• Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere in this process
• Combustion (burning) is also part of this process Condensation
o Burning wood or other organic material produces ➢ The process by which gas changes to a liquid
large amounts of CO2 released into the atmosphere.
Precipitation
Nitrogen Cycle ➢ Water that falls to the Earth’s surface in the form of rain,
• The movement of nitrogen through the environment snow, sleet, or hail
• Nitrogen is found in many places in many forms
• Most is in the atmosphere as Nitrogen gas Groundwater
• All living things use nitrogen to make proteins ➢ Water located below the Earth’s surface
• Most organisms cannot use it in the form of gas though.
Runoff
Nitrogen Fixation
• The natural process to convert nitrogen from the atmosphere
into forma that are useful to a variety of organisms.
• Produces compounds such as ammonia and nitrate
• Usually found in animal waste such as urine
• Fertilizers also contain nitrogen
Dentrification
• Takes the nitrogen from nitrates and other
compounds in the soil and releases it as
nitrogen gas

THE WATER CYCLE

WATER CYCLE
• The continuous movement of water between Earth’s surface
and its atmosphere.
• Water changes from one form to another
• The sun is the source of energy for this process

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