BEVAE 181 FOR JAN 23 STUDENTS

                                                                   QUESTION PAPER                                                         

SOLVED ASSIGNMENT WILL BE IN NEXT PAGE

1. Why ecological significance of forest is more important in present day context? Explain.

 

1.      1. Why ecological significance of forest is more important in present day context? Explain.

 

Forests are our treasures which provide us a wide variety of commodities such as timber, fuel wood, fodder, fibre, fruits, herbal drugs, cosmetics and many types of raw materials used by the industries. A great variety of mammals and birds which live in the forests, serve as useful living resources . Forests play a great role in soil formation, water conservation and regenerating of oxygen. Trees fix CO2 in their biomass and through transpiration (loss of moisture to atmosphere) they moderate the climate.

 

Forests perform certain activities which are crucial for supporting ecological systems and processes directly. Some of these functions and processes are as follows:

· Forests check the soil erosion by preventing the action of winds and water thereby preserves the fertile top soil.

· It prevents landslides and reduces the intensity of cyclones and floods.

· By preventing soil erosion, forests reduce silting of water bodies including reservoirs.

· Forest improves air quality by absorbing toxic gases and particulate matter.

· It protect watersheds and ensure perennial supplies of fresh wate.

 

Increased deforestation is hampering environment in daily basis. So ecological significance of forest is more important in present day context.

2. Answer the following questions in about 125 words each.

 

1.       2.  Answer the following questions in about 125 words each.

 

a)       Explain the characteristics of Western Ghats for inclusion as Biodiversity hotspots

 

The Western Ghats represent one of the major tropical evergreen forest regions in India. The total area of Western Ghats is about 160,000 sq. km. In the west, the zone is bound by the coast and in the east, it shares boundary with the Deccan peninsular zone. The tropical evergreen forests occupy about one third of the total area of this zone. In recent years, a large chunk of the forest cover has been lost and this zone is now of great conservation concern, more so because of its exceptional biological richness. About two-thirds of India’s endemic plants are confined to this region. However, the potential of many of these species is yet to be tapped. Besides harbouring diverse biological communities, the forests in this zone also play an important role in maintaining the hydrological cycle.

The well known species found exclusively in Western Ghats include the following:

Among Primates – Nilgiri Langur and Lion-tailed Macaque. Rodents – Plataconthomys, the Spiny Dormouse Squirrels – Several subspecies of Ratufa indica with separate forms in Maharashtra, Mysore, Malabar and Tamil Nadu Ghats. The Grizzled Squirrel is restricted to two localities in the drier TamilNadu forest. Carnivores – Malabar Civet in southern evergreen forests, Rusty spotted Cat in northern deciduous forests. Ungulates – Nilgiri Tahr  in Nilgiris to Agastyamalai montane grassland. Hornbills – Malabar Grey Hornbil.

 

 

b)      Why hydropower is regarded as the best source of energy? Explain it in detail.

 

It is a renewable energy source, meaning that it is sustainable and does not deplete natural resources.

It is also a clean source of energy, as it does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants. 

Hydroelectric power plants have a relatively long lifespan and low operating costs, making them a cost-effective source of energy.

Hydroelectric power is also versatile, as it can be used for large scale power generation or small scale, decentralized power production.

It can also provide additional benefits, such as water storage, flood control, and recreation.

It can be integrated easily with other energy sources and can provide a reliable baseload power.

 

 

c)       The importance of Biomass has been increasing day by day in our surroundings among renewable resources. Explain it with suitable examples.

 

This is a renewable energy source derived from plant resources, animal waste and the waste of various human activities. It is also derived from the by-products of the timber industry, agricultural crops, raw material from the forest, major parts of household wastes and wood. Biomass is an important source of energy and the most important fuel worldwide after coal, oil and natural gas.

 

Biomass fuels used in India account for about one third of the total fuel used in the country. Over 90% of the rural households and about 15% of the urban households use biomass fuels (e.g. wood, cowdung cakes, crop residues and sawdust). The inefficient burning of such fuels in traditional chulhas is causing a serious problem of indoor air pollution and consequent health hazards. Moreover, the unsustainable level of consumption of fuel wood leads to deforestation and desertification, which degrades the environment. Thus proper management of biomass as a resource is very essential.

 

d)      How does air pollution affect the atmospheric processes?

 

Apart from causing damage to materials, plant and animal communities and health problems in humans, air pollution affects the atmospheric processes. Acid rain, smog, global warming and ozone depletion are some of the effects of pollution in our atmosphere. Let us look into some examples of the problems of air pollution in our atmosphere.

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) : SPM in the ambient air is complex and variable mixture of different sized particles with many chemical components. Larger particles are trapped by nose hair (vibrissae) and breathing tube

 

Acid Precipitation : Acid rain or acid precipitation includes wet acidic depositions like rain, snow, fog, mist or dew and deposition of dry acidic particulates from the air.

 

Atmospheric Inversion : Atmospheric or temperature inversion occurs when a stable layer of warmer air lays above the cooler air. The normal phenomenon of temperature decline along the increasing height reverses and thereby, convection air currents that normally disperse the pollutants are prevented.

 

 

e)      What is Disposal of waste? Why segregation of waste is needed?

 

 

Disposal of waste refers to the process of getting rid of waste materials in a safe and responsible manner. This can involve a variety of methods, including landfilling, incineration, recycling, and composting. Waste disposal is an important environmental issue because it can have significant impacts on human health, air and water quality, and the natural environment.

Segregation of waste is the process of separating different types of waste materials at the source, such as households, businesses, and industrials facilities. This is important because different types of waste require different treatment methods and disposal techniques, and mixing them together can lead to contamination and pollution. Here are some reasons why segregation of waste is needed.

3. Explain the human-environment relationship by taking examples of biotic and abiotic components?

 

1.       Que-3.  Explain the human-environment relationship by taking examples of biotic and abiotic components?

Man has always been using natural resources around his dwellings to meet his basic, social and cultural needs. The customs, traditions, practices, beliefs, and rules ensured a balance between human needs and environmental conservation in ancient times. However, with passage of time this symbiotic relationship was gradually replaced by destructive dependence. At some point during this phase he apparently forgot that the ecosystem has certain carrying capacity that reflects a limit to its exploitability.

Biotic Components:

The biotic components of the environment include all living organisms, from bacteria and fungi to plants and animals. Humans are an integral part of this ecosystem and have a significant impact on other living organisms. For example, deforestation is a major threat to the biodiversity of forests, which are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. The clearing of forests for agricultural land, urbanization, or commercial purposes leads to habitat destruction and fragmentation, causing the loss of biodiversity and the extinction of many species.           

 Similarly, the introduction of invasive species into new ecosystems can also have a devastating impact on the environment. For example, the zebra mussel, a small freshwater mollusk native to Eastern Europe, was introduced into the Great Lakes of North America in the 1980s. These mussels have since spread rapidly, causing significant ecological and economic damage by clogging water intake pipes, disrupting food webs, and outcompeting native species.     

On the other hand, humans also benefit from the biotic components of the environment. Agriculture, for example, is dependent on fertile soil, clean water, and a diverse range of crops. Insects, such as bees and butterflies, play an important role in pollination, which is essential for the reproduction of many crops.

 

Abiotic Components:

The abiotic components of the environment include non – living elements, such as air, water, and soil. Humans have a significant impact on these components through activities such as pollution, resource extraction, and land use change.

            Air pollution is a major problem in many urban areas, with emissions from vehicles and industrial activities contributing to smog, acid rain, and climate change. These pollutants can have significant health impacts, including respiratory diseases and cancer.

           Soil is also a critical component of the environment, providing the foundation for agriculture and supporting a wide range of ecosystems. However, soil degradation is a major problem in many parts of the world, with erosion, nutrient depletion, and contamination from pesticides and other chemicals reducing soil quality and productivity.

             In conclusion, the human-environment relationship is complex and multifaceted, with both biotic and abiotic components playing critical roles. Humans have a significant impact on the environment, and it is important to recognize and address the negative impacts of our activities while also finding ways to promote sustainability and protect the ecosystems and human communities.

4. “As humans progressed, man started altering the environment in the pursuit of creating an economic, social and cultural environment of his own choice. This slowly resulted in the depletion of natural resources and degradation of environment.” Explain it in context of national legislations of water acts?

 

1.       Que-4.  "As humans progressed, man started altering the environment in the pursuit of creating an economic, social and cultural environment of his own choice. This slowly resulted in the depletion of natural resources and degradation of environment.” Explain it in context of national legislations of water acts?

 

As humans civilization progressed, man started altering the environment in the pursuit of creating an economic, social and cultural environment of his own choice. This slowly resulted in the depletion of natural resources and degradation of environment. Parliament passed the Water (Protection and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The main objective of this Act is to prevent and control water pollution. Some important provision of the Water Act, 1974 and Amendment, 1988 are given below:

 

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 and Amendment, 1988

-The Act vests regulatory authority in state boards and empowers these boards to establish and enforce effluent standards for factories discharging pollutants into bodies of water. A Central Board performs the same functions for union territories and coordinates activities among the states.

-The boards control sewage and industrial effluent discharges by approving, rejecting or conditioning applications for consent to discharge.

-The state boards also minimise water pollution by advising state governments on appropriate sites for new industry.

 

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act of 1977

The Act creates economic incentives for pollution control and requires local authorities and certain designated industries to pay a cess (tax) for water consumption. These revenues are used to implement the Water Ac.

 

5. "Biosphere reserves are internationally recognised areas established to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between Humans and the Biosphere.” Elaborate this statement in the context of conservation of nature?

 

1.       Que-5.  "Biosphere reserves are internationally recognised areas established to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between Humans and the Biosphere.” Elaborate this statement in the context of conservation of nature?

 

Biosphere reserves are internationally recognised areas established to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere. They highlight the value of nature conservation within a particular natural region and reconcile the conservation of biological diversity with sustainable use. Consequently they are ideally suited to meet today’s conservation needs when human populations are increasing and the practicality of leaving aside large areas to protect pristine natural wild lands is decreasing, despite the fact that more people than ever before are dependent on wild species and natural ecosystems for their well-being.

 

The programme of Biosphere Reserve was initiated under the Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme by UNESCO in 1971. Biosphere Reserves programme is intended to conserve representative ecosystems as opposed to only species or habitat conservation. It provides in-situ conservation under natural conditions, long-term conservation of plants, animals and micro organisms. The purpose of the formation of the Biosphere Reserve is to conserve in-situ all forms of life, along with its support system, in its totality, so that it could serve as a referral system for monitoring and evaluating changes in natural ecosystems. The first biosphere reserve of the world was established in 1979, since then the network of biosphere reserves has increased to 425 in 95 countries in the world (MAB - 2003). Presently, there are 18 designated biosphere reserves in India. India’s first Biosphere Reserve was the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

 

Nature reserves are hubs of biodiversity and they should be left as such so ecosystem can function properly.