2017-EVS

Q1. Discuss the mul6disciplinary nature of environmental studies.

Ans: Environmental studies integrates knowledge from:
1. 1.Natural Sciences: Understanding ecosystems, biodiversity, climate, air, water, and soil.
2. 2.Social Sciences: Analyzing human behavior, values, governance, policy, and socio-economic
factors.
3. 3.Engineering and Technology: Developing solu6ons for pollu6on mi6ga6on, resource
management, and sustainable development.
4. 4.Health Sciences: Assessing the impacts of pollu6on on human health and well-being.
5. 5.Policy and Law: Engaging with legal and policy frameworks for environmental protec6on and
conserva6on.
6. 6.Humani6es and Ethics: Exploring human-nature rela6onships, environmental ethics, and
cultural perspec6ves.
This mul6disciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues and the
development of sustainable solu6ons.

Q2. Explain the posi6ve and nega6ve impact of dams on environment.

Ans:Posi6ve impacts of dams on the environment:
1. Hydropower genera6on: Provides renewable and clean energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
2. Flood control: Regulates river flow, mi6ga6ng flood risks and protec6ng downstream communi6es.
3. Water supply: Ensures a reliable water source for irriga6on, drinking water, and industrial uses.
Nega6ve impacts of dams on the environment:
1. Habitat loss and fragmenta6on: Inundates land, leading to loss of habitats and biodiversity.
2. Displacement of communi6es: Reloca6on of communi6es disrupts livelihoods and cultural 6es.
3. Sedimenta6on and nutrient trapping: Traps sediment and nutrients, impac6ng downstream
ecosystems and water quality.
4. Altered flow regimes: Disrupts natural flow paYerns, affec6ng riverine ecosystems and aqua6c
biodiversity.
5. Greenhouse gas emissions: Methane and carbon dioxide emissions from reservoirs contribute to
climate change.

Q3. Describe the different biogeographic regions of India.

Ans: India is characterized by diverse biogeographic regions, each with its unique ecological and
biodiversity features. Some of the major biogeographic regions of India include:
1. Himalayan Region: Alpine meadows, temperate forests, high al6tude flora and fauna.
2. Indo-Gange6c Plain: Fer6le agricultural land, wetlands, floodplains.
3. Western Ghats: Rich biodiversity, tropical rainforests, high endemism.
4. Eastern Ghats: Dry deciduous forests, scrublands, endemic species.
5. Deccan Plateau: Dry deciduous forests, scrublands, grasslands.
6. Thar Desert: Arid and semi-arid landscapes, sand dunes, sparse vegeta6on.
7. Coastal Regions: Mangrove forests, estuaries, 6dal flats, marine biodiversity.
8. Islands: Coral reefs, mangrove forests, tropical rainforests, unique biodiversity.
Each region contributes to India's ecological diversity and provides essen6al habitats for a variety of plant
and animal species.
Q4. What is the structure of an ecosystem?
Structure of an ecosystem:
1. 1.Abio6c Factors: Non-living components like soil, water, sunlight, temperature.
2. 2.Producers: Plants, algae, and certain bacteria that produce organic molecules from inorganic
substances.
3. 3.Consumers: Herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores that obtain energy by consuming other
organisms.
4. 4.Decomposers: Fungi, bacteria, and detri6vores that break down dead organic maYer into
nutrients.
5. 5.Food Chains and Webs: Linear sequences and interconnected networks illustra6ng energy flow
and feeding rela6onships.
6. 6.Trophic Levels: Hierarchical levels in the food chain represen6ng energy transfer from producers to
consumers.
7. 7.Bio6c Interac6ons: Preda6on, compe66on, mutualism, and symbiosis shaping ecosystem
dynamics.
This structure determines the flow of energy and nutrients and the func6oning of the ecosystem.

Q5. Explain the ecological pyramid of energy in the ecosystem.

Ecological Pyramid of Energy:
1. 1.Base Level: Producers (plants, algae) convert sunlight into chemical energy through
photosynthesis.
2. 2.First Trophic Level: Primary Consumers (herbivores) feed directly on producers.
3. Second Trophic Level: Secondary Consumers (carnivores) feed on primary consumers.
4. Energy Decrease: Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level, resul6ng in a decrease in available
energy.
5. Ten Percent Rule: Only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level, limi6ng energy
efficiency.
This pyramid illustrates the flow of energy through trophic levels, with producers at the base and top
predators at higher levels.

Q6. Discuss various steps of ecological succession. Also give a brief account of hydrosere succession.
Ans:Ecological succession refers to the process by which an ecosystem changes over 6me in response to
disturbances or changes in environmental condi6ons. Here are the key steps of ecological succession:

1.Primary Succession:
• Begins in an area with no exis6ng community of organisms.
• Pioneer species, such as lichens and mosses, colonize bare rock or barren land.
• These pioneer species break down rocks and organic maYer, crea6ng soil.
• As soil develops, more complex plant species, like grasses and shrubs, establish themselves.
• Over 6me, a climax community of trees and other vegeta6on becomes established.
2.Secondary Succession:
• Begins in an area where an exis6ng community has been disturbed, such as by fire, logging, or
agriculture.
• Soil is already present, allowing for faster coloniza6on by plant species compared to primary
succession.
• Early successional species, such as annual plants and grasses, colonize the area.
• As soil condi6ons improve and organic maYer accumulates, larger, more perennial plant species
establish themselves.
• The ecosystem gradually progresses towards a climax community, similar to primary succession.
Brief account of hydrosere succession:
Hydrosere succession occurs in aqua6c environments, such as ponds, lakes, or wetlands. Here are the key
steps:
1.Ini6a6on:
• The process begins with the forma6on of a water body, such as a pond or lake.
• Pioneer species like algae and floa6ng plants colonize the water surface.
2.Submerged Stage:
• Submerged aqua6c plants, such as pondweeds and water lilies, establish themselves.
• Organic maYer accumulates as plants die and decompose, leading to the forma6on of organic-rich
sediment.
3.Emergent Stage:
• Floa6ng plants give way to emergent vegeta6on like reeds, rushes, and sedges.
• These plants grow along the shoreline and provide habitat for terrestrial species like insects,
amphibians, and birds.
4.Climax Stage:
• Over 6me, the pond or lake may become shallower due to sedimenta6on and accumula6on of
organic maYer.
• Eventually, the water body may fill in completely, leading to the forma6on of a terrestrial ecosystem
like a marsh or swamp.
• A climax community of trees and other vegeta6on becomes established, marking the comple6on of
the succession process.
Hydrosere succession demonstrates how aqua6c ecosystems undergo changes in species composi6on and
habitat structure over 6me, leading to the establishment of diverse and stable communi6es.

Q7.Explain the func6on of ecosystem.

Ans: Func6ons of Ecosystem:
1. Primary Produc6on: Photosynthesis by plants forms the base of the food chain.
2. Nutrient Cycling: Recycling of nutrients through decomposers maintains soil fer6lity.
3. Energy Flow: Transfer of energy through trophic levels drives biological processes.
4. Habitat Provision: Ecosystems provide shelter and habitat for diverse organisms.
5. Climate Regula6on: Influence on local and global climate paYerns through carbon sequestra6on.
6. Water Regula6on: Regula6on of hydrological cycle, reducing flood and drought risks.
7. Pollu6on Control: Natural filtra6on and detoxifica6on of pollutants.
8. Recrea6on and Cultural Services: Provision of recrea6onal opportuni6es and cultural values.
These func6ons support life, maintain ecological processes, and provide valuable services for human well-
being.

Q8. Suggest some measures for conserva6on of forest. Explain the factors responsible for deforesta6on.
Ans: Measures for Conserva6on of Forests:

1. Protected Areas: Establishing and expanding protected areas, na6onal parks, and wildlife
reserves to safeguard forest ecosystems and biodiversity.
2. Sustainable Logging Prac6ces: Implemen6ng sustainable forest management prac6ces, such as
selec6ve logging, reduced-impact logging, and reforesta6on, to minimize habitat destruc6on
and promote regenera6on.
3. Community-based Conserva6on: Involving local communi6es in forest management and
conserva6on efforts through par6cipatory approaches, community forestry programs, and
indigenous land rights recogni6on.
4. Law Enforcement: Strengthening law enforcement mechanisms, an6-poaching measures, and
regula6ons against illegal logging, hun6ng, and land encroachment to prevent deforesta6on and
habitat destruc6on.
 5. Reforesta6on and Afforesta6on: Plan6ng na6ve tree species and restoring degraded forest areas
through reforesta6on and afforesta6on ini6a6ves to increase forest cover and enhance
ecosystem resilience.
6. Promo6on of Agroforestry: Encouraging agroforestry prac6ces, such as intercropping, alley
cropping, and agroforestry systems, to integrate trees into agricultural landscapes and enhance
ecosystem services while suppor6ng livelihoods.
7. Forest Cer6fica6on: Suppor6ng forest cer6fica6on schemes, such as Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC) cer6fica6on, to promote sustainable forest management prac6ces and ensure responsible
sourcing of forest products.
8. Educa6on and Awareness: Raising awareness about the importance of forests, biodiversity
conserva6on, and sustainable land use prac6ces through educa6on, outreach programs, and
public campaigns.
Factors Responsible for Deforesta6on:

1. Commercial Agriculture: Expansion of agricultural land for cash crops, such as soy, palm oil, and
caYle ranching, oien leads to large-scale deforesta6on, par6cularly in tropical regions.
2. Logging and Timber Harves6ng: Unsustainable logging prac6ces, illegal logging, and 6mber
extrac6on for commercial purposes contribute to forest degrada6on and loss of biodiversity.
3. Infrastructure Development: Construc6on of roads, highways, dams, and urban infrastructure
projects oien involves clearing forests, leading to habitat fragmenta6on and loss of wildlife
habitats.
4. Mining and Extrac6on: Mining ac6vi6es, including surface mining, oil and gas extrac6on, and
mineral explora6on, can cause significant deforesta6on and habitat destruc6on, par6cularly in
forested areas rich in natural resources.
5. Forest Fires: Natural and human-induced forest fires, exacerbated by factors such as climate
change, land-use change, and deforesta6on, can lead to widespread forest loss and degrada6on.
6. Popula6on Pressure: Rapid popula6on growth and rural migra6on drive land conversion for
agriculture, seYlement expansion, and infrastructure development, pujng pressure on forest
ecosystems.
7. Climate Change: Climate change impacts, such as increasing temperatures, changing
precipita6on paYerns, and extreme weather events, can exacerbate forest degrada6on and
suscep6bility to pests and diseases.
8. Illegal Ac6vi6es: Illegal ac6vi6es, including poaching, encroachment, land grabbing, and
deforesta6on for illicit ac6vi6es like drug cul6va6on, contribute to forest loss and degrada6on,
undermining conserva6on efforts.

Q9. Men6on the ecological importance of forest.

Ans: Ecological Importance of Forests:
1. Biodiversity Conserva6on: Forests harbor diverse ecosystems and support a wide variety of
plant and animal species, including many endemic and endangered species. They provide
habitat, food, and shelter for countless organisms, contribu6ng to biodiversity conserva6on.
2. Carbon Sequestra6on: Forests play a crucial role in mi6ga6ng climate change by absorbing and
storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. They act as carbon sinks,
helping to regulate the Earth's climate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Oxygen Produc6on: Forests are primary producers that produce oxygen through photosynthesis,
a vital process for suppor6ng life on Earth. They release oxygen into the atmosphere,
contribu6ng to air quality and human well-being.
4. Water Regula6on: Forests regulate the hydrological cycle by influencing precipita6on paYerns,
intercep6ng rainfall, and regula6ng water flow. They help to maintain freshwater sources,
reduce soil erosion, and prevent flooding and droughts.
5. Soil Conserva6on: Forests protect soil from erosion by providing ground cover, stabilizing slopes,
and promo6ng soil forma6on through the accumula6on of organic maYer. They help to maintain
soil fer6lity and prevent loss of topsoil.
6. Pollu6on Control: Forests act as natural filters, purifying air and water by absorbing pollutants,
par6culate maYer, and harmful gases. They improve air quality, reduce noise pollu6on, and filter
contaminants from runoff water.
7. Nutrient Cycling: Forest ecosystems recycle nutrients through biogeochemical cycles, such as
the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles. Decomposi6on of organic maYer by fungi,
bacteria, and detri6vores releases nutrients back into the soil, suppor6ng plant growth and
ecosystem produc6vity.
8. Habitat Connec6vity: Forests provide connec6vity between different ecosystems and wildlife
habitats, facilita6ng the movement of species and promo6ng gene6c diversity. They serve as
corridors for wildlife migra6on and dispersal, maintaining ecological balance and resilience.
9. Erosion Control: Forests protect against soil erosion by intercep6ng rainfall, stabilizing soil with
their root systems, and reducing surface runoff. They help to prevent landslides, riverbank
erosion, and loss of fer6le soil, par6cularly in hilly and mountainous areas.
10. Recrea6on and Aesthe6cs: Forests provide opportuni6es for outdoor recrea6on, ecotourism,
and nature-based ac6vi6es such as hiking, camping, birdwatching, and wildlife photography.
They offer aesthe6c and spiritual value, fostering connec6ons between humans and nature.