QP : May-2023 – ES [MID SEM]

Que:1 (A) Define environment and Ecology. How studying Environment can benefit the society. 

Ans: the environment refers to the physical, biological, and social factors that surround and interact with living organisms, including humans. It encompasses all natural and human-made elements, including air, water, soil, vegetation, wildlife, climate, and human societies. 

Ecology: – Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions among organisms and their environment. It encompasses the relationships between living things and their physical and biological surroundings, including the interactions of living organisms with each other and with their non-living environment. 

Environmental research has several advantages for civilization. Here are several examples: 

1. Sustainability and conservation: Being aware of environmental problems like pollution, deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss enables us to address them. We can create sustainable behaviors and policies to preserve natural resources and safeguard ecosystems for future generations through research and education. 

2. Environmental studies aid in the better management of resources including water, land, and energy. By researching the environment, we can discover novel ways to cut waste, boost productivity, and create renewable energy sources, creating a society that is more robust and sustainable. 

3. Health and wellbeing: Studies on pollution, exposure to poisons, and environmental factors may help to enhance public health. We can evaluate hazards, lessen negative effects, and improve community living conditions by analyzing the environment. 

4. Benefits for the economy: Opportunities for the economy might arise from understanding the environment. For instance, research into renewable energy sources can spur the creation of eco-friendly technologies, resulting in new jobs and fostering long-term economic expansion. Ecotourism, which is based on environmental preservation, can also help local communities financially. 

(B) Write a note on bio-gas. 

Ans: Biogas is a renewable energy source produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic waste materials like animal manure, crop residues, and food waste. 

It consists mainly of methane and carbon dioxide, along with small amounts of other gases. 

Biogas can be used as a fuel for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. 

It provides a sustainable solution for waste management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and generating renewable energy. 

Anaerobic digestion of organic materials yields biogas, a renewable and adaptable energy source. Here are some significant biogas factors to remember: 

1. Anaerobic digestion is a method that breaks down organic waste, including agricultural wastes, animal manure, sewage sludge, food waste, and energy crops, to create biogas. A mixture of gases, primarily methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), are produced as a result of microorganisms decomposing organic matter during this process without the presence of oxygen. 

2. Biogas typically contains between 50 and 70 percent methane, 30 to 50 percent carbon dioxide, and traces of other gases such hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Methane in biogas makes it a useful renewable energy source. 

3. Renewable Energy: Because it is made from organic waste materials that would otherwise emit greenhouse gas emissions if allowed to naturally degrade, biogas is regarded as a clean and renewable energy source. We can lower methane emissions, a strong greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, by capturing and using biogas. 

4. Energy Applications: Biogas has a wide range of energy application possibilities. It can be burned directly in a biogas stove or used as a fuel in biogas power plants to produce energy. Biomethane, which possesses qualities comparable to natural gas and may be used as a vehicle fuel or pumped into the natural gas grid, can be produced by upgrading biogas. 

(C) State the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy resources. 

Ans:  

Renewable Resources	Non-Renewable Resources
Resources that can be replenished or regenerated	Resources that are finite and depleted over time
Constantly replenished by natural processes	Formed over millions of years and not replenished
Potentially available in unlimited quantities	Limited availability and will eventually run out
Solar energy, wind energy, biomass, hydropower	Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), minerals
Generally lower environmental impact	May have significant environmental impact during extraction and use
Can be used indefinitely without depletion	Finite supply, unsustainable if consumption exceeds replenishment
Typically, lower carbon emissions and greenhouse gases	Higher carbon emissions and contribute to climate change

Que:2 (A) Describe the structure and function of Forest ecosystem. 

Ans: The forest ecosystem is an intricately interwoven system made up of both living and non-living elements, including both plants and animals. Here is a breakdown of the composition and role of the forest ecosystem: 

1. Canopy: The forest ecosystem is distinguished by its multiple layers, of which the canopy is the topmost. The canopy is made up of the densely packed crowns of towering trees, which block sunlight and shade the ground below. 

2. Understory: The understory layer, which is underneath the canopy, is made up of smaller trees, shrubs, and young saplings. These plants fill up the spaces between the taller canopy trees by becoming accustomed to reduced light levels. 

3. Herbaceous Layer: Low-growing plants like grasses, ferns, herbs, and wildflowers are found in the herbaceous layer. These plants flourish in the little sunlight that reaches the forest floor and add to the ecosystem’s overall diversity. 

4. The forest floor is the bottom layer and is covered in an organic layer made up of fallen leaves, rotting wood, and a variety of soil organisms. It provides a habitat for a variety of decomposers, including as fungi, bacteria, and insects, which decompose organic matter and replenish the ecosystem with nutrients. 

5. Cycling of nutrients: Forest ecosystems are renowned for their effective cycling of nutrients. Decomposers break down organic matter when plants and animals die or shed leaves and other organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil. Plants then absorb these nutrients, aiding in their growth. This cyclical process is essential for preserving the forest’s general well-being and productivity. 

6. Forests are important components of the water cycle. Trees transfer moisture into the sky during transpiration, which helps to produce clouds and precipitation. Forests serve as organic sponges, soaking up rainwater, preventing soil erosion, and controlling river and stream movement. 

OR 

(A) Discuss the way of conserving energy with the help of solar power. 

Ans: Solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source that can aid in energy conservation. The following are some ways solar energy can help with energy conservation: 

1. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems turn sunlight directly into energy to generate power. Both private citizens and commercial entities can produce their own electricity by mounting solar panels on rooftops or in other public areas. This promotes energy conservation by reducing the dependency on conventional fossil fuel-based power generation. 

2. Grid-Tied Systems: Users can connect their PV systems to the nearby electric grid using grid-tied solar power systems. Net metering is made possible by the ability to feedback extra electricity produced by solar panels into the power system. Because of this, energy generated during the day can be used later or distributed to others, reducing the amount of energy that is used overall. 

3. Systems Off-Grid: In off-grid places without access to the electrical grid, solar power can also be employed. In these situations, electricity is produced using solar panels and stored in batteries. This energy can be used to power buildings, entire neighborhoods, or particular gadgets, saving energy that would otherwise be used to run diesel generators or other non-renewable energy sources. 

4. Solar thermal systems can be used to heat water for a variety of applications, including home use, commercial processes, and swimming pools. Solar water heaters use the thermal energy of the sun to heat water, eliminating the need for traditional electric or gas heaters and resulting in energy savings. 

(B) Describe the causes and effects of water pollution. 

Ans: Causes of Water Pollution: 

Industrial activities- Industries discharge various chemicals, toxins, and heavy metals into the water bodies which cause water pollution. 

Agricultural activities- The use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture can lead to runoff into nearby water bodies, contaminating them with harmful chemicals. 

Urbanization- The increasing population of cities leads to the release of untreated sewage into water bodies, which causes water pollution. 

Oil Spills- Accidental oil spills from tankers and offshore drilling platforms can cause severe water pollution, killing aquatic life and affecting the quality of water for human consumption. 

Effects of Water Pollution: 

It can lead to the death of aquatic plants and animals, affecting the biodiversity of water ecosystems. 

It can cause water-borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever, which can be fatal. 

It can affect the quality of water, making it unfit for human consumption or use. 

It can cause soil erosion and damage to agricultural lands, affecting food security. 

OR 

(B) Describe the causes and effects of air pollution. 

Ans: Effects: Air pollution can have several negative impacts on both human health and the environment. Exposure to air pollutants can cause respiratory diseases, heart diseases, stroke, lung cancer, and other health problems. Air pollution can also harm plants and animals, leading to reduced crop yields, loss of biodiversity, and ecosystem degradation. Additionally, air pollution contributes to climate change by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. 

Causes: 

1. There are many different factors that contribute to air pollution, including both natural and human-made sources. Here are a few important causes of air pollution: 

2. Emissions from industrial processes: Major sources of air pollution include fumes and pollutants generated by factories, power plants, and other industrial operations. Fossil fuel emissions, which result in the release of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, are among them. 

3. Vehicle emissions: Burning gasoline and diesel fuels in cars and trucks releases particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, which all contribute to air pollution. This problem may be made worse by city traffic. 

4. Electricity production: The burning of coal, oil, or natural gas in power plants can result in large pollution emissions.  

Que:3 (A) Write a note on lake and river ecosystem. 

Ans: The rich and intricate ecosystems of lakes and rivers provide as vital homes for a wide range of plant and animal species. They are essential for maintaining biodiversity, managing water supplies, and providing a range of ecosystem services. The ecosystems of rivers and lakes can be summarized as follows: 

1. Biodiversity: Plants, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates are just a few of the species that can be found in lakes and rivers. These ecosystems include many habitats, including wetlands, riverbanks, and deep-water areas, which sustain a variety of life forms that are suited to various environmental conditions. 

2. Ecosystems beside rivers and lakes are important for nutrient cycling. Aquatic plants and microbes absorb nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that are transferred from upstream or nearby sources. The entire food chain, from tiny organisms to larger predators, depends on these nutrients. 

3. Habitat and breeding grounds: For many species, lakes and rivers are crucial breeding grounds and nurseries. These environments offer favorable circumstances for amphibian reproduction, bird nesting, and fish spawning. Young organisms can find refuge and safety in the aquatic vegetation and submerged structures found in lakes and rivers. 

4. Recreational activities abound in lake and river habitats, including fishing, boating, swimming, and birdwatching. The local economics and welfare of the inhabitants residing close to these water bodies benefit from these activities. 

5. Ecosystems in lakes and rivers can react to a variety of natural disturbances, including floods and droughts. They have resilience mechanisms that let them adjust to changes in flow patterns and water  

6. levels. These ecosystems’ resilience can be weakened by anthropogenic activities like pollution and water extraction. 

OR 

(A) Explain the concept of desertification. 

Ans: When once-fertile terrain becomes desert-like, it is referred to as desertification. This process occurs in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions. It is primarily brought on by a confluence of natural and human forces. The definition of the term “desertification” is as follows: 

1. Desertification is greatly influenced by climate factors. Desertification is more likely to occur in regions with high temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and strong winds. The consequences of additional contributing elements are amplified by prolonged droughts. 

2. Degradation of the soil’s quality is one of the main factors contributing to desertification. The fertility and structure of the soil are harmed by overgrazing by cattle and unsustainable agricultural practices such excessive plowing, inappropriate irrigation techniques, and the use of chemical fertilizers. As a result, there will be less organic matter present, erosion, compaction, and diminished water-holding capacity. 

3. Desertification is accelerated by deforestation, which is the removal of natural vegetation, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas. Windbreaks, reduced evaporation, improved water infiltration, and soil stabilization are all effects of trees and plants. Desertification is accelerated when vegetation is eliminated by logging, cultivation, or the harvesting of fuelwood. This makes the area more susceptible to erosion and dryness. 

4. Overexploitation of Water Resources: Desertification is accelerated by the unsustainable use of water resources, such as excessive aquifer extraction and poor water management. This makes the area more vulnerable to aridity by depleting groundwater resources and reducing the amount of water available for growth. 

5. Population Pressure: In arid areas, rapid population growth can result in a rise in the demand for resources such as water and land. This frequently results in overuse, increased agricultural production, and unsustainable land use methods, which hastens the process of desertification. 

(B) Explain In-situ and Ex-Situ conservation in detail. 

(C) Mention the facts of Man and wildlife conflicts. 

Ans: Conflicts between humans and wildlife arise when human activities and wild animals’ natural environments collide or overlap. Key details of these conflicts are as follows: 

• Natural ecosystems are frequently destroyed or fragmented as human populations rise in order to make room for agriculture, infrastructure construction, or urbanization. As a result of this invasion, there are more contacts and confrontations between humans and wildlife. 
• Humans and wildlife frequently engage in competition for scarce resources like food, water, and shelter. Conflicts may occur as both people and animals compete for dwindling resources as they try to meet their requirements. 
• Impacts on Human Livelihoods: Wildlife can have a negative impact on people’s livelihoods, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is a major industry. Crop raiding, livestock predation, and property destruction can cause financial losses and acrimony between local people and wildlife. 
• Rapid urban growth and deforestation bring people and wildlife habitats closer together. This close closeness increases the likelihood of interactions, which can result in disputes that cause harm or death to both humans and animals involved. 

• Conflicts between humans and wildlife present difficulties for conservation initiatives. Conflicts can result in unfavorable attitudes and impressions of animals, which makes it more challenging to win over the public and support conservation efforts.