Overview
This lecture explains the concept of the environment, its components, domains, and the interactions between humans and their surroundings, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance for sustainable living.
Definition and Components of Environment
- The environment includes all external conditions surrounding an organism.
- It comes from the French word "environa," meaning to surround.
- The environment includes natural and human-made elements.
- Natural elements (mountains, rivers, vegetation, animals) form the natural environment.
- Human-made elements (agriculture, industries, settlements, transport) form the human-made environment.
- The two types of environments interact and change over time due to natural processes and human activities.
Biotic and Abiotic Components
- Biotic components are living things like plants and animals.
- Abiotic components are non-living things like air, water, and soil.
Four Major Domains of the Earth
- Lithosphere: The rocky outer layer of Earth, vital for land, minerals, and agriculture.
- Hydrosphere: All water on Earth's surface, supporting all forms of life and existing in solid, liquid, and gas states.
- Atmosphere: The air envelope around Earth, providing oxygen and protecting against harmful solar rays.
- Biosphere: The narrow zone where lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere meet, supporting life.
Ecosystem
- An ecosystem is a complex system of interactions between organisms and their physical environment in a given area.
- Ecosystems vary in size from large (rainforests, deserts) to small (ponds).
- Organisms in an ecosystem are interdependent and interact with abiotic factors.
Human Interaction with Environment
- Humans adapt to and modify their environment to meet their needs.
- Technological advances have allowed humans to dominate nature.
- Past humans relied mainly on environmental resources and gradually developed techniques for agriculture and animal domestication.
- The industrial revolution led to large-scale production and improved transport/communication.
- Primary activities (farming, fishing, forestry, mining) still provide food and raw materials.
- Human activities have also led to environmental exploitation and problems.
Environmental Challenges and Balance
- Modern challenges include overpopulation, urbanization, industrialization, and technological impacts.
- Maintaining a balance between natural and human environments is essential.
- Organizations, scientists, and planners work to solve environmental problems.
- Living in harmony with the environment is crucial to maintain nature’s balance.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Environment — All external conditions in which an organism lives.
- Natural Environment — Environment comprising elements created by nature.
- Human-made Environment — Environment comprising elements created by humans.
- Biotic Components — Living components like plants and animals.
- Abiotic Components — Non-living components like air, water, and soil.
- Lithosphere — Earth’s rocky outermost layer.
- Hydrosphere — All water present on Earth.
- Atmosphere — The air surrounding Earth.
- Biosphere — Zone where land, water, and air meet and support life.
- Ecosystem — System of interactions among organisms and their environment.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review definitions and functions of the four major domains of Earth.
- Reflect on how human activities impact the environment and ways to maintain balance.