Concept of Environmental Studies

Unit-2 (ES102)

Natural resources

Natural resources are raw materials and energy sources that come from nature and are
used by humans. They are essential for food production, environmental protection,
and human welfare.

Types of natural resources

Renewable resources: These resources can be replenished at the same rate they are
used. Examples include water, trees, wind, and the sun.
Non-renewable resources: These resources cannot be replenished once they are
depleted. Examples include mineral resources and fossil fuels.
Biotic resources: These resources come from living things or organic materials.

Natural resource management

Natural resource conservation: This is the practice of protecting and restoring
natural habitats and biodiversity. It includes efficient land use and preventing
invasive species.

Natural resource management (NRM): This is the practice of using natural

resources sustainably. It includes managing land, water, air, minerals, forests,
fisheries, and wild flora and fauna.

Depletion of natural resources: When natural resources are consumed faster than
they can be replenished, it is called depletion. Depletion can restrict human welfare
programs and make it difficult to achieve a sustainable future.
Classification and Types of Natural Resources:
Natural resources can be classified as renewable or non-renewable. Renewable
resources can be used repeatedly, while non-renewable resources are limited and
cannot be renewed.
Renewable resources
Organic: Come from living things like plants and animals
Inorganic: Include water, sunshine, and wind
Examples: Heat (geothermal), solar, wind, biomass, animals, forest products, crops

Non-renewable resources
Examples: Fossil fuels (crude oil, natural gas, coal, and uranium), metals, lithium,
and rare-Earth elements (REE's)
Also known as: Exhaustible resources
Characteristics: Limited in quantity, cannot be renewed or replenished in short
duratipes oon
Other types natural resources:
Abiotic: Non-living aspects of the environment, such as land, water, air, and minerals
Biotic: Obtained from the biosphere, such as forest products, animals, and crops
Potential: Natural elements that are already easily available but humans have yet to
discover their real power, such as solar and wind energy

Status and challenges for natural resources natural resources:

The current status of natural resources is concerning, with significant challenges
arising from over-exploitation, unsustainable practices, and growing population
demands, leading to depletion of resources like forests, water, and minerals, alongside
issues like biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and conflicts over resource
control; the key challenges include: deforestation, biodiversity loss, resource
depletion, unsustainable resource governance, conflicts over natural resources, and the
need to foster sustainable practices to manage resource use effectively;.

Key points about the status and challenges of natural resources:

Depleting resources: Many natural resources, including fossil fuels, clean water,
fertile land, and certain minerals, are being rapidly depleted due to high
consumption rates.
Environmental degradation:Extraction and utilization of natural resources often
lead to environmental damage like pollution, soil erosion, habitat destruction, and
climate change.
Biodiversity loss: Unsustainable practices like deforestation and overfishing
significantly contribute to the decline of biodiversity.
Unequal distribution: Access to natural resources is often unevenly distributed
across regions and populations, leading to disparities in development.
Conflicts over resources: Competition for natural resources can trigger conflicts
between communities, nations, and corporations.
Poor governance: Weak regulatory frameworks and lack of enforcement around
resource management can exacerbate environmental problems.

Specific challenges related to different natural resources:

Forests: Deforestation due to logging, agriculture expansion, and urbanization.
Water: Water scarcity, pollution, and unsustainable water extraction practices.
Minerals: Over mining, environmental damage associated with extraction, and
potential for resource conflicts.
Land: Soil degradation, desertification, and land conversion for non-agricultural
uses.
Towards sustainable solutions:
Sustainable resource management:Implementing practices that prioritize long-term
resource availability through conservation, efficient use, and renewable
alternatives.
Stronger governance:Enacting effective policies and regulations to manage
resource extraction and use, including stakeholder engagement.
Technological advancements:Developing new technologies to improve resource
efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.
Circular economy: Promoting recycling and reuse to minimize waste and maximize
resource utilization.

Biodiversity as a natural resource

Biodiversity is considered a natural resource because it encompasses the variety of
life on Earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, which provide humans
with essential services like food, medicine, clean air and water, pollination, and
climate regulation, making it crucial for human well-being and survival within
ecosystems.

Key points about biodiversity as a natural resource:

Ecosystem services:Diverse ecosystems provide vital services like water filtration,
pest control, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration, all contributing to a healthy
environment.
Food security: A wide range of plant and animal species ensures a diverse food
supply for humans.
Medicinal potential:Many medicines are derived from natural sources found in
diverse ecosystems, with potential for discovering new treatments.
Economic value: Biodiversity supports tourism and recreational activities,
generating income for local communities.
Climate regulation:Healthy ecosystems with high biodiversity play a role in
mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide.

Levels and types of biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, and it is studied at three levels: genetic,
species, and ecosystem.
Genetic diversity
 The variety of genes in a species or population
 Each species has a unique genetic composition
 Genetic diversity helps species adapt to environmental changes

Species diversity
 The variety of species in a region or habitat
 Some habitats, like rainforests, have more species than others, like salt flats
 Species are grouped into families based on shared characteristics

Ecosystem diversity
 The variety of ecosystems in a region or on the planet
 An ecosystem is a community of organisms and their physical environment
 Ecosystems can be large, like a forest, or small, like a pond
Biodiversity is important because it helps ecosystems maintain stability and
recover from disturbances. It also supports human needs like food security, energy,
and medicine.

Threats to biodiversity

Biodiversity is threatened by many factors, including habitat loss, pollution, invasive

species, climate change, and overexploitation. These threats can be caused by human
activities, geological processes, and environmental factors.

Habitat loss:
 Natural causes: Geological processes can cause habitat loss.
 Human causes: Human activities like agriculture, mining, logging, and
urbanization can cause habitat loss.
Result: Habitat loss can lead to the extinction of species.

Invasive species: Invasive species are introduced to a new area by humans, such as
through trade or transportation.
Impact: Invasive species can compete with native species for resources, alter
habitats, and introduce diseases.
Example :The brown tree snake in Guam is an example of an invasive species that
caused the extinction of most of the resident bird species.

Climate change : Human activities cause long-term changes in the Earth's climate,
such as shifts in temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns.
Impact: Climate change can force species to move, adapt, or face extinction.
Examples: Warming waters can damage coral reefs, and acidification can threaten
marine organisms.

Overexploitation: Humans extract more of a natural resource than can be replaced

naturally.
Impact: Overexploitation can reduce species populations below natural self-
sustaining levels.
Examples: Over-exploitation of fur-bearing animals, marine turtles, and black
rhinoceroses has contributed to their endangered status.

Biodiversity in India and in World

India is considered one of the "megadiverse" countries in the world, meaning it holds
a significant portion of the planet's biodiversity, despite only occupying a small
percentage of the Earth's landmass; with approximately 7-8% of the world's species
found within its borders, compared to just 2.4% of the global land area, making it a
hotspot for diverse plant and animal life.
 Key points about India's biodiversity:
High species richness:India boasts a vast array of species including around 45,500
plant species and 91,000 animal species.
Biodiversity hotspots: Four major biodiversity hotspots are located in India: the
Western Ghats, the Himalayas, the Indo-Burma region, and the Sundaland (Nicobar
Islands).
Endemic species: These hotspots are particularly important as they house many
species found nowhere else on Earth.
Diverse ecosystems: India's varied topography leads to a range of ecosystems
including forests, grasslands, wetlands, coastal regions, and coral reefs.

Global biodiversity perspective:

Megadiverse countries: Only a small number of countries, known as "megadiverse"
countries, hold the majority of the world's biodiversity, and India is one of them.
Uneven distribution: Biodiversity is not evenly distributed across the globe, with
tropical regions generally having the highest diversity.
Conservation challenges: Threats like habitat loss, climate change, and
overexploitation put pressure on global biodiversity, making conservation efforts
crucial.

Biodiversity Hotspots
Biodiversity hotspots are regions with a high concentration of plant and animal
species that are unique to the area. They are considered irreplaceable because they
contain a high percentage of endemic species.

Some examples of biodiversity hotspots

Western Ghats: This hotspot in India is home to the lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri
tahr, and many unique species of plants and amphibians.
Sundaland: This hotspot includes the Nicobar Islands in India and extends to the
tectonic plates under the Indian Ocean. It is home to orangutans, pig-tailed langurs,
and other species.
Himalayas: This hotspot contains around 3,160 rare, endemic, and sensitive plant
varieties with medicinal properties.
Madagascar: This island has been isolated from mainland Africa for over 150
million years, and scientists estimate that 85% of its animals and 90% of its plants
are endemic.
Philippines: This country is located in the Coral Triangle, which is the center of the
world's highest marine biodiversity.
Horn of Africa: This hotspot is home to over 2,000 species of plants and animals,
with around 25% being endemic to the region.
Mountains of Southwest China: This hotspot has a wide range of habitats,
including the world's most endemic-rich temperate flora.
Cape Floristic Region: This hotspot has a complex array of habitat types, including
mountains, lowlands, shrublands, and coastal dunes.

To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two criteria:

 Have at least 1,500 endemic vascular plants
 Have lost 70% or more of its original natural vegetation
 Major ecosystem types in India and their basic characteristics
The major ecosystem types in India include: Himalayan Mountain ecosystems with
cold temperatures and diverse flora and fauna, Tropical Rainforest ecosystems with
high rainfall and dense vegetation, Tropical Deciduous Forests with seasonal rainfall
and a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees, Coastal ecosystems with mangrove
forests along the shoreline, Desert ecosystems in arid regions with sparse vegetation,
and the Northern Plains with fertile land suitable for agriculture; each characterized
by distinct climate, vegetation, and animal life based on their geographic location.

Himalayan Mountain Ecosystem:

Characteristics: High altitude, cold temperatures, varying vegetation depending on
elevation (alpine meadows, coniferous forests), diverse wildlife including snow
leopards, yaks, and red pandas.
Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem:
Characteristics: High rainfall throughout the year, dense canopy with diverse plant
species, rich biodiversity including monkeys, elephants, and exotic birds.
Tropical Deciduous Forest Ecosystem:
Characteristics: Seasonal rainfall, trees shed leaves during dry season, diverse
animal life including deer, tigers, and reptiles.
Coastal Ecosystem:
Characteristics: Mangrove forests along the coastline, tidal fluctuations, rich in
fish and shellfish species, important for coastal protection.
Desert Ecosystem:
Characteristics: Low rainfall, extreme temperature fluctuations, sparse vegetation
including cacti and thorny shrubs, adapted animals like camels and desert rodents.
Northern Plains Ecosystem:

Characteristics: Fertile river basins, extensive agriculture, diverse crop cultivation,
rich birdlife.

Key points to remember:

Biotic factors: The living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals,
and microorganisms, vary significantly between different ecosystem types.
Abiotic factors:
Non-living components like climate, soil type, and topography influence the
characteristics of an ecosystem.
Biodiversity hotspots: India contains several biodiversity hotspots with high levels
of endemic species due to its diverse ecosystems.

Ecosystem services and their significance

Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect benefits that humans receive from
healthy ecosystems, including things like clean air and water, food production,
pollination, flood control, and carbon sequestration, which are vital for human well-
being and quality of life; their significance lies in the fact that they are essential for
sustaining life on Earth and maintaining a stable environment, making them crucial
for human survival and economic development.
Key points about ecosystem services:
Types of services: Ecosystem services are usually categorized into four main
groups:
Provisioning services: Tangible products like food, water, timber, and medicinal
plants.
Regulating services: Processes that moderate environmental conditions like climate
regulation, water purification, and flood control.
Supporting services: Essential processes that maintain the ecosystem function,
such as nutrient cycling and pollination.
Cultural services: Non-material benefits like recreation, tourism, aesthetic
appreciation, and spiritual connection to nature.
Importance for human well-being:
Ecosystem services are critical for human health and well-being, providing essential
resources for survival and contributing to a healthy environment.
Impact of ecosystem degradation:
When ecosystems are degraded or destroyed, the provision of ecosystem services
can be significantly reduced, leading to negative consequences like food insecurity,
water scarcity, increased flooding, and loss of biodiversity.

Examples of ecosystem services:

Forests:Providing timber, clean air, carbon sequestration, and habitat for wildlife
Coral reefs: Protecting coastlines from erosion, providing fisheries, and supporting
marine biodiversity
Wetlands: Filtering pollutants from water, regulating floodwaters, and providing
habitats for birds
Grasslands: Maintaining soil fertility, regulating grazing animals, and providing
grazing land for livestock

Why understanding ecosystem services is important:

Conservation efforts: Recognizing the value of ecosystem services can help
prioritize conservation and sustainable management practices to protect natural
environments.
Policymaking: Incorporating ecosystem services into policy decisions can help
ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into economic development
plans.
Economic valuation: Putting a monetary value on ecosystem services can help
demonstrate their importance and encourage their protection.

Threats to biodiversity and ecosystem:

Biodiversity and ecosystem health are threatened by many factors, including:
Climate change: Long-term shifts in temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns
that can force species to adapt, move, or become extinct
Habitat loss: The destruction or alteration of natural habitats, which can be caused
by human activities or natural processes
Overexploitation: The removal of organisms faster than they can be replenished,
which can lead to species extinction
Pollution: The release of harmful chemicals or materials into the environment,
which can cause acid deposition and climate change

Invasive species: Species that can compete with native organisms for resources,
alter habitats, and cause extinctions
Land use change: The conversion of natural habitats into agricultural, mining,
industrial, or urban areas

Explanation
Climate change: Human activities like burning fossil fuels for energy release
greenhouse gases that cause climate change. This can lead to rising temperatures,
more extreme weather events, and sea level rise.
Habitat loss: Human activities like agriculture, mining, and urban sprawl can
destroy or fragment natural habitats.
Overexploitation: Activities like hunting, fishing, and overharvesting can deplete
species populations, putting them at risk of extinction.
Invasive species: Invasive species can compete with native species for resources,
alter habitats, and cause extinctions.

Major conservation policies to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem:

Major conservation policies to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems include:
Protecting biodiversity: Conserving the variety of plants, animals, microbes, and
livestock, as well as economically important organisms
Preventing poaching and hunting: Taking steps to prevent the illegal hunting and
capture of wild animals
Reducing pollution: Reducing the amount of pollutants in the environment
Prohibiting deforestation: Taking steps to prevent the destruction of forests
Enforcing environmental laws: Following environmental laws and regulations
Creating protected areas: Developing protected areas and reserves with care
Raising awareness: Educating the public about biodiversity conservation and its
importance
Addressing invasive species: Taking steps to address the impact of invasive species,
which can contribute to biodiversity loss
Managing habitats: Taking steps to prevent habitat destruction, which can threaten
plants and animals
Adapting to climate change: Taking steps to adapt to climate change, which can
shift ecosystems and threaten species
Biodiversity is important for human health and wellbeing, and for the planet's
resilience to environmental changes. It provides resources like food, medicine, and
clean air and water, and it also supports services like pollination and disaster
protection.

In-situ and Ex-situ conservation approach to conserve biodiversity:

"In-situ" conservation refers to protecting a species within its natural habitat, like
establishing national parks or wildlife sanctuaries, while "ex-situ" conservation
involves protecting a species outside of its natural environment, such as in zoos,
botanical gardens, or seed banks, to preserve genetic diversity when the natural
habitat is threatened.

In-situ conservation:
Definition: Protecting species in their natural environment by establishing protected
areas like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves.
Benefits: Maintains natural ecological interactions, allows species to adapt to
changing environmental conditions, and preserves the full genetic diversity within a
population.
Examples:
 Creating marine protected areas to conserve coral reefs
 Establishing buffer zones around sensitive ecosystems
 Implementing sustainable land management practices in local communities

Ex-situ conservation:
Definition: Protecting species outside their natural habitat, often in controlled
environments like zoos, botanical gardens, or seed banks.
Benefits: Allows for intensive management of endangered species, facilitates
research and breeding programs, and can be used to reintroduce species to their
natural habitat when conditions improve.
Examples:
 Captive breeding programs for endangered animals in zoos
 Storing seeds of rare plants in a seed bank
 Tissue culture propagation of endangered plants in botanical gardens