ENVIRONMENT ( GEOGRAPHY) CLASS VII ,PART - I

                                             ENVIRONMENT

                                 

What is Environment?

           Ans: 

The word environment originates from the French word Environe, which means neighbourhood. So, everything around us constitutes the environment.

What is Natural Environment?

          Ans: 

The natural environment includes the biotic  and abiotic components of environment. For example , biotic components includes animals, plants , microorganisms, etc. and abiotic components include land , water, atmosphere, etc. All these are natural environment.

What is Human - made environment?

          Ans: 

 The human made environment includes things created by humans and interactions with others. For example, things like buildings, bridges, industries, train, bus, electricity, and various activities and interactions such as family , society, religion, education, economics, politics,etc.

What is Lithosphere?

          Ans: 

Lithosphere is the hard top layer of the Earth's surface. It is also called the hard crust or solid crust. It is made of rocks and minerals and covered by a layer of soil. It is irregular in shape and not smooth like a table top.

                  Lithosphere includes the various landforms such as mountains, plains, plateaus, valleys etc. It provides us mineral wealth, forests, grasslands, agricultural land and land for human settlements. 

What is Hydrosphere?

          Ans: 

Hydrosphere is that part of the Earth which is covered with water. It includes all types of water bodies like oceans, rivers, seas, lakes, etc. Water is essential for all living organisms.

What is Atmosphere?

          Ans: 

Atmosphere is the layer of air which surrounds the Earth. It is a mix of gases which change with altitude from the Earth's surface. The gravity of the Earth holds the atmosphere around it. It has dust and water vapour . Changes in the atmosphere affect weather and climate. The atmosphere also works as a shield for the Earth  as it protects it from the harmful rays and scorching heat of the Sun.

What is Biosphere?

         Ans? 

The biosphere constitutes the  plant and animal kingdoms. It is also known as the living world. In this sphere land, air and water interact with each other to support life.

What is Ecosystem?

          Ans: 

Ecosystem is a system formed by the interaction of all living organisms with each other and with the physical and chemical factors of the environment in which they live. 

Example:In a lake ecosystem, the sunlight which falls on the water helps the growth of algae. This algae produces oxygen for animals like fish, frogs, living in the lake and provides food for microscopic animals. Fish eat the microscopic organisms, absorb oxygen present in the water and expel carbon dioxide which helps the growth of plants. If the algae disappeared , everything else would be affected. Micro organisms would not have enough food, fish would not have enough oxygen and plants would have lesser carbon dioxide available , which is necessary for their growth. 

                           

How humans interact with environment? 

Human beings like other animals interact with nature and their surrounding environment. Humans use things from nature for their comfort and need. Thousands of years ago, humans lived simple lives like wild animals. They killed other animals for food or even ate fruits and other plant products. They used animal skines and tree barks to cover themselves from rain and cold.Gradually they exploited more and more natural resources , found ways to get metals, materials, crops, etc. for better livlihood. They also started domesticating animals. 

               The invention of the wheel and the steam engine revolutionised industry. Subsequently, the invention of electricity and radio transformed the way people worked. Now they could work any time of the day and communicate over long distances. With the passing of time and more inventions, humans developed complex systems to help store food, transport food and material, trade, communicate across the world at a much faster pace.

What is Pollution?

Different factors have contributed to the pollution. Industrialisation causes smoke and other chemical pollutants to be released into the air and water around them.

Burning of dry leaves, plastics and fire crackers causes a lot of air pollution. The drainage of wastes from towns and cities as well as excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticide in agriculture causes  water pollution.

What is Deforestation?

          Ans: 

 Deforestation affects the ecosystem and regeneration of oxygen on the planet. It affects wildlife, affects the life of tribals and people living in and around forests who depend on the forest produce for their life needs.

What is Global Warming?

          Ans: 

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution ,human activity has rapidly changed the balance of gases in the atmosphere. Burning of fossil fuels like coal and petrolium releases water vapour , carbon dioxide , methane, ozone and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide absorbs infrared radiation(heat) which has caused the average global temperature to increase.

       The main cause of global warming is the combustion of fossil fuels.

World Environment Day: 5th June every year is celebrated as World Environment Day.

What is contamination?

Contamination means polluting elements like chemicals, etc. in water or oil.