Environmental studies and natural resources

Introduction to environmental studies, multidisciplinary nature of environment, its scope and importance. Concept of sustainability and renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Presented by –
Dr. ParulTyagi
Assistant Professor

2. INTRODUCTION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Presented by -
Dr. ParulTyagi
Assistant Professor
Environmental
Studies

3. Introduction to “Environmental Studies”
•Environmental Studiesrefers to the study of the environment.

4. Introduction to “Environmental Studies”
•EnvironmentalStudiesisnotrestrictedtothepointofviewof
oneparticulardisciplinebutinvolvesalldisciplinesthatmay
affecttheenvironmentinanypossibleway.
•Itinvolvesthestudyandunderstandingofthefactthatevena
singlephenomenoncanaffecttheenvironmentinavarietyof
wayswithvaryingdegreesofcomplexity,andeachofthese
effectscanbeunderstoodfromdifferentperspectivesrootedin
differentdisciplines.

5. What is environment?
Definition
•ThetermenvironmentisderivedfromaFrenchword
environnerwhichmeans‘surrounding’.Itreferstoan
aggregateofallconditionsthataffecttheexistence,growth,
andwelfareofanorganismoragroupoforganisms.Theterm
maybedefinedinanumberofways.

6. What is environment?
Environmentiswhatsurroundedus!!
•Environmentisthesumtotalofallsocial,economical,
biological,physical,andchemicalfactorswhichconstitutethe
surroundingsofhumans,whoarebothcreatorsandmoulders
oftheenvironment.
•Environment is the external surroundings and conditions which
directly or indirectly affects the living (biological) organisms
such as we the human beings.

7. What is environment?
•Air
•Water
•Land
•Forest
•Wildlife
Natural Environment
•Agricultural fields
•Botanical gardens
•Fish ponds
•Honey bee farms
Man-made
(Anthropogenic)
Environment

8. Components of Environment
Bioticor living
components
•All living organisms
•Plants
•Animals
•Microbes
•human beings
Abioticor non-living
components
•Water,
•soils, rocks
•Wind, gases
•Temperature, humidity
•Minerals
•Light nutrients (C, N, O, etc.)
Natural and man made environment consists of –

9. Components of Environment
•Autotrophs or producers
▫Green plants
▫Bacteria
•Heterotrophs or consumers
▫Animals
▫Fungi

10. Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies
▫EnvironmentalStudiesrequiresskillsthatencompassarangeofdisciplines
includingchemistry,biology,earthsciences,atmosphericscience,statistics,
mathematics,andgeography.

11. Scope of Environmental Studies
•Natural resources -their conservation and management
•Ecology structure and function
•Biodiversity
•Environmental pollution control and management
•Social issues in relation to development and environment
•Human population and environment
•Green advocacy and marketing
•Research and development

12. Importance of Environmental Studies

13. Segments of Environment

14. What is Sustainability?
A dictionary definition:
•of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a
resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently
damaged [Webster's]
•meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
[BrundtlandCommission]

15. Thetermsustainabledevelopmentreferstothe
developmentthatmeetstheneedsofthepresent
withoutcompromisingtheabilityofthefuture
generationstomeettheirownneeds.
Theconceptofsustainabledevelopmentcanbeinterpretedinmanydifferent
ways,butatitscoreisanapproachtodevelopmentthatlookstobalance
different,andoftencompeting,needsagainstanawarenessoftheenvironmental,
socialandeconomiclimitationswefaceasasociety.
Thedevelopmentisdrivenbyoneparticularneed,withoutfullyconsideringthe
widerorfutureimpacts.Wearealreadyseeingthedamagethiskindofapproach
cancause,fromlarge-scalefinancialcrisescausedbyirresponsiblebanking,to
changesinglobalclimateresultingfromourdependenceonfossilfuel-based
energysources.Thelongerwepursueunsustainabledevelopment,themore
frequentandsevereitsconsequencesarelikelytobecome,whichiswhywe
needtotakeactionnow.
Sustainable Development [SD]

16. Sustainable Development
•Sustainable development (SD) is a pattern of resources use, that
aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that
these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for future
generations.
•Keyaspectsforsustainabledevelopment:
Inter-generationalequity:
Intra-generationalequity:
Fig.Multidimensional model for
sustainable development

17. Why do we need Sustainability?
•Environment pollution
•Climate change,
i.e, global warming
•Deforestation
•Starvation and poverty

19. Measures for Sustainable Development
•Effective planning for population control
•Reducing per capita demand of natural resources
•Using efficient technological devices
•Following the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycling) approach
•Promoting environmental awareness through education
•Effective planning for regeneration of natural resources

20. Problems in the path of Sustainable
Development
•Stakeholders
•Uncertainty about the outcome of current policies
•Consumption and lifestyle
•Arguments over cause and responsibility

21. Natural Resources
“Any stock or reserve that can be drawn from nature is a
natural resource”
•Majornaturalresourcesare:
▫Landresources
▫Forestresources
▫Waterresources
▫Energyresources
▫Mineralresources
▫Foodresources

22. Resources whose continual harvest is possible with proper planning and
management, such as plants, animals, solar energy, wind energy, etc., are
known as renewable resources.(They can renew themselves, provided they are
Not over harvested).
Renewable Resources
Those resources which once gone have very little chance of recovery or
resynthesisare called non-renewable resources. Examples of
non-renewable resources are coal, minerals, and petroleum. (Total stock
Is limited).
Non-renewable Resources
Classification of Natural Resources

23. The Importance of Land
•The human civilization has thrived on land.
•Land is used for agriculture.
•Land contains huge amount of mineral deposits.
•It also contains water in the form of underground water.
•Most of the animals find their habitat on land.
•Land directly or indirectly provides all the resources required to
fulfil the basic needs of humans: food, cloth, and shelter.
Land Resources

24. Soil profileis a vertical cross section from surface down to the parent
materials. A well-developed soil profileshows distinct horizons. The three
major horizons are A, B, and C horizons. Horizons are sometimes also called
zones.
The soil profile is important tool for nutrient management and soil fertility.
Decomposition of weathers and organic matter, profile of the soil changes.
The soil profile is made of distinct layers , known as horizons.
Five most common horizons are collectively known as master horizons.
Study of soil profile is essential for proposed the soil structure and for technical
descriptions.
Soil Profile

25. Horizons in Soil profile

26. Thefertilityoflandsupportsthegrowthandproductivityof
naturalvegetationandagriculturalcrops.Anumberofnatural
andman-madefactorslowerthequalityofland.Thisis
commonlyreferredtoaslanddegradation.
Land Degradation

27. Natural factors
•Heavy rains
•High speed wind and storms
•Natural disasters like earthquakes ,floods, prolonged drought,
etc.
Anthropogenic factors
•Mining.
•Urbanization
•The indiscriminate and uncontrolled removal of trees
•Excess use of fertilizers
•industrial discharges
•Overgrazing, soil erosion ,etc..
Causes of Land Degradation

28. Soilerosionisremovaloftopsoilfromitsrestingplacebyvarious
physicalagencieslikewindandwater.Itcanbedefinedas“the
detachmentandtransportofthefertilelayerofsoilbywaterorair.”
Itisalsoknownasthecreepingdeathofland.
The detachment and transportation of the fertile
layer of soil by water or air.
Soil Erosion

29. •Large-scale deforestation for meeting commercial as well as day-
to-day needs
•Heavy floods in rivers
•Overgrazing by cattle
•Dry violent winds
•Improper agricultural techniques
Causes of Soil Erosion

30. •Decrease in productivity of land
•Desertification of land
•Reduction in the agricultural land at the banks of rivers
•Deposition of soil in river beds and canals causing diversion of their
natural flow and hence leading to disasters
Effects of Soil Erosion

31. Methods of Controlling Soil Erosion
•Reduced tillage
•Contour cultivation
•Strip cropping
•Terracing
•A forestation on barren land
•Control of overgrazing
•Construction of small check dams
•Promotion of equitable use of water resources
•Prevention of excavation of rocks

32. Stripcropping
Contourfarming
Terracing
Methods to control Soil Erosion
Afforestation
Construction of small check dams

33. ReduceTillage.Tillageistheagriculturalpreparationofsoilby
mechanicalagitationofvarioustypes,suchasdigging,stirring,and
overturning.
Contourfarmingisthefarming
practiceofplantingacrossaslope
followingitselevationcontourlines
Stripfarmingisdefinedas
alternatingcroprowsbetween
heavy-rootedplantsandloosely-
rootedplantstominimizeerosion.
Terracecultivationismethodof
growingcropsonsidesofhillsor
mountainsbyplantingongraduated
terracesbuiltintotheslope.

34. Causes of Desertification
Natural Factors
•Very low rainfall
•Excessive evaporation
•Vast difference in temperature extremes
•High salinity of soils
Anthropogenic Factors
•Continuous cutting of trees
•Overgrazing
•Over irrigation
•Excessive ploughing
•Excessive use of fertilizers
Conversion of fertile land into an infertile desert land is called desertification.
Desertification
•Conversion of fertile land into an infertile desert land is called
desertification.

35. •Rapid soil erosion
•Poor soil quality
•Unfavorable climate
•Low water table, salty and hard water
•Huge economic losses
Effects of Desertification

36. Promoting large-scale plantation of trees
Changing agricultural practices and promoting dry land farming
Development of pasture lands (suitable for Grazing) and control of
overgrazing
Promoting equitable use of water resources
Development of water catchment areas
The desertification is increasing significantly in
Bhujin northern Gujarat due to over usages of ground water for last
20 years. Water tables going down by 3 m/ year.
Control of Desertification

38. The desertification is increasing significantly in Bhujin
northern Gujarat due to over usages of ground water for last 20
years.
Water tables going down by 3 m/ year
According to the Experts, it is spreading to nearby villages
Parameters such as groundwater level, vegetation, soil and rain
are showing an alarming decline and rapid degradation
Every ecological and political bodies are warned to people
about this degradation.
The effect of desertification in Northern
Gujarat

39. Forest resources
•Aforestisabioticcommunitywith
apredominanceoftrees;itisan
•importantrenewableresource.
•Forestsrestoreoxygeninour
atmospherethroughphotosynthesis
and
•Alsoprovidesolvents,medicines,
fuels,andmanyotherproductsthat
areimportantforourhealthand
comfort.
•Indiaisrichinforestresourceswith
agreatdiversityoffloraandfauna.

40. Forestsnotonlyproduceinnumerablematerialgoods,butalsoprovideseveral
environmentalserviceswhichareessentialforlife.
Fig. Forests give us a variety of
valuable gifts as materials and services
Fig.Economic vs. Environmental value of a tree
Forest resources

41. Forest resources
•The rainforest in Fatu-Hiva, in Marquesas Islands is an example of an undisturbed
natural resource.
•Forest provides timber for humans; food and shelter for flora and the fauna. The
nutrient cycle between organisms form food chains and biodiversity of species.

42. Functions of Forests
•The functions of forest may broadly classified into
following categories
Protective Function
Productive Function
Regulative Function
Accessory Function

43. Protective Function
Forest Provide protection against
Soil erosion
Droughts
Floods
Noise
Radiations

44. Productive Function
•Forest Provide various products like, gum resins, medicines, honey,
pulp, bamboo, timber, Vegetables and fruits.

45. Regulative Functions

48. Accessory Function
•Forest provides aesthetics, habitat to various flora and fauna besides
that it also has an recreational value.

49. Importance of Forests
DirectBenefits
•Forestsprovidetimberforconstructionofbuildingsandfurniture.
•Theyproviderawmaterialforanumberoflarge-andsmall-scale
industries.(beekeeping,Furniture,beedi,salseedoil,bamboosticks)
•Theyprovideavarietyofedibleproductsforhumanbeingsandanimals.
•Theyprovidenaturalhabitattotribalpeople.
•Theymakemanure(organicmatterusedasorganicfertilizerinagriculture)
andfuelwoodavailabletohumans.
•Theyareanimportantsourceofnationalincome.
•Theyprovidevariousmedicinalplants.
•Theyincreasethebeautyoflandscapeandattracttourists.
•Theyareextremelyhelpfulingeneratingemploymentopportunities.

50. Importance of Forests
Indirect Benefits
•Forests help in minimizing natural hazards.
•They help in reducing soil erosion and siltation of
downstream water bodies.
•They help in reducing desertification and land
degradation.
•They help in maintaining biodiversity by providing
habitat to wild animals.
•They help in regulating hydrological cycle.
•They help in regulating the gases in atmosphere.

51. •Encroachment of forest land for agricultural use to meet the growing
demands of foods.
•Expansion of cities to accommodate the growing population
•Construction of dams, canals, and highways
•Establishment of industrial areas
•Demand for firewood
•Mining
The term deforestationrefers to the removal or reduction of forest cover.
Causes of Deforestation

52. •Loss of natural habitat of wild animals and plants
•Increased intensity and frequency of floods
•Land degradation
•Loss of forest products
•Change in climatic conditions
•Siltation of rivers and lakes
•Loss of revenue
•Change in hydrological cycle and reduced rainfall
•Increased socio-economic problem in the long run
Effects of Deforestation

53. Case Studies:
•Once Cherrapunjiwas famous because it received the largest volume
of rainfall in the world It still does but ironically, experiences acute
water shortages. This is mainly the result of extensive deforestation
(no trees to hold the water and the water run off to rivers. Because
proper methods of conserving rainwater are not used. There has been
extensive soil erosion.
•Only rain water harvesting can sort out the problems of the world's
wettest town . Scientists point out the example of Jaisalmer, one of
the driest towns in India in Rajasthan, with rainfall levels as little as
100 mm of water per year, where it was found that if you harvest
water on just one hectare of land, you have captured as much as one
million litresof water ---enough to meet drinking and cooking water
needs of 182 people at 15 litresper day for one year.

54. Control of Deforestation
•Mining activities should be prohibited in areas declared as protected forests.
•Cutting of trees should be followed by massive plantation.
•The environmental laws and legal provisions should be strictly enforced.
•Public awareness should be created regarding medicinal and other economic
and environmental significance of forests.

55. Water Resources
•Importance of Water
•Water is the basic component of every living cell.
•It is the basic input required for agriculture.
•Hydel power can be used for generating hydroelectricity.
•It provides habitat to aquatic flora and fauna.
•Common salt can be obtained from water.

56. Only 3% is fresh water, Most of them is in ice-cap.

57. Sources of Water
Ground Water
Surface Water
Water that is hidden underground in spaces between soil and rock
particlesis known as ground water. This ground water is the source of
water for wells, springs, and even to rivers. Rainwater seeps into the
ground, some are clings to particle or to the root of the plants. This
moisture is provided to the plants for their growth. Most water moves
deeper into ground. Most usable water is at depth of 750 m.
After precipitation, the amount of water that does not percolate
down into the ground or does not return to the atmosphere by
evaporation or transpiration and enters the rivers, streams, lakes,
ponds, wetland, or artificial reservoirs constitutes surface water.
Ground water is purer than surface water, the chance of
pollution is less in ground water.

58. Water never leaves the Earth. It is constantly being cycled through the atmosphere,
ocean, and land.
Water Cycle

59. Anaquiferisanundergroundlayerofwater-bearingpermeablerock,rock
fracturesorunconsolidatedmaterials(gravel,sand,orsilt)fromwhich
groundwatercanbeextractedusingawaterwell.
Aquifer

60. Aquifer
An aquifer is an underground layer of water bearing permeable
rock or unconsolidated materials from which ground water can be
usefully extracted using water well. Aquifers
are of two kinds :
Confined Aquifer
An aquifer which is sandwiched between two layers of less
permeable materials.
Unconfined Aquifer
Aquifers having water table in it are called unconfined aquifers.

61. Effects of Over-utilization of Ground Water
•Reduced flow of surface water
•Lowering of water table
•Water logging
(saturation of the soil by groundwater)
•Subsidence
(To sink to a lower or normal level)
•Degradation of water quality
•Increased salt content
•Increased power costs

62. Water Calamities:
Floods and Droughts

63. Floods
Floods refers to the presence of unusually large amount of water at any
place or more water that can be handled by the drainage of the area. The
various types of floods are
Flash Floods (Due to sudden heavy rain fall, dam failure)
River floods (when rain over large the catchment area slowly, melting of
snow)
Coastal Floods (Due to cyclonic activity like hurricanes, tropical cyclones)

64. Drought
A drought is a condition in which a region suffers
from a severe scarcity in its water availability.
The various kinds of drought are
Meteorological Drought ( Actual rainfall is less than climatological
mean of that area)
Hydrological Drought (Running down of surface water leading to a
very low stream flow and drying of lakes, rivers.
Agricultural Drought (Inadequate soil moisture result in fall in
agricultural productivity)