Geography Notes
Chapter 1 - Environment
Environment and Its Components
Definition of Environment:
Environment refers to the surroundings in which living organisms exist, including natural and human-made elements. It consists of both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components that interact with each other.
Environment is our basic life support system. It provides the air we breath, the water we drink, the food we eat and the land where we live.
Environment: French word Environer/
Environner meaning "neighbourhood”.
Types of Environment:
1. Natural Environment – Includes all naturally occurring elements like land, water, air, plants, and animals.
2. Human Environment – Consists of human activities, creations, and interactions that shape surroundings.
• Biotic : The world of living organisms. e.g. plants and animals.
• Abiotic: The world of non-living elements. e.g. Land.
Natural Environment and Its Components
1. Lithosphere (Land Domain)
The Lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the Earth, composed of rocks and minerals.
It is covered by a thin layer of soil and features landforms such as mountains, plateaus, plains, and valleys.
It provides natural resources like forests, grasslands, minerals, and land for agriculture and settlements.
2. Hydrosphere (Water Domain)
The Hydrosphere includes all water bodies such as rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans.
It is essential for all living organisms and supports aquatic ecosystems.
3. Atmosphere (Air Domain)
The Atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth, held by gravity.
It protects life by blocking harmful solar radiation and regulating temperature.
Weather and climate changes occur due to atmospheric variations.
4. Biosphere (Living World)
The Biosphere is the narrow zone where land, water, and air interact to support life.
It includes all living organisms, forming ecosystems in different environments like forests, oceans, and deserts.
Ecosystem: Definition and Explanation
Definition of Ecosystem:
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their non-living environment through nutrient cycles and energy flows.
Ecosystem: It 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, all linked by transfer of energy and material
Key Features of an Ecosystem:
Composed of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.
Can vary in size (e.g., rainforests, deserts, lakes, or even a small pond).
Maintains ecological balance through interactions like food chains and energy transfer.
Human Environment and Its Evolution
Definition of Human Environment:
The Human Environment consists of human-made structures, cultural developments, and interactions that modify the natural surroundings.
Stages of Human Development in Relation to the Environment:
1. Primitive Stage – Early humans adapted to nature, relying on hunting and gathering.
2. Agricultural Revolution – Humans began farming, domesticating animals, and settling in one place.
3. Trade and Commerce – Invention of the wheel led to improved transport, surplus food led to barter systems, and trade expanded.
4. Industrial Revolution – Introduction of machines enabled large-scale production and urbanization.
5. Information Revolution – Technological advancements facilitated rapid communication and globalization.
Summary
The environment consists of both natural and human-made elements.
The ecosystem ensures balance among living and non-living components.
Exercises
Q 1. Answer the following questions.
(i) What is an ecosystem?
Answer: The 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, all linked by the transfer of energy and material, is called an ecosystem.
(ii) What do you mean by natural environment?
Answer: The environment that consists of the elements created by nature is called natural environment. The natural environment comprises the elements that are present in nature such as land, water, air, plants and animals.
(iii) Which are the major components of the environment?
The major components of the environment are:
a. Natural components: They consists of all objects created by nature such as plants, air, land and water.
b. Human components: They consists of human beings.
c. Human-made components: These include everything that is made by man or human such as buildings, parks and roads..
(iv) Give four examples of a human-made environment.
Answer: Four examples of the human-made environment are buildings, parks, industries and roads.
(v) What is lithosphere?
Answer: Lithosphere or the domain of land is the solid crust or the outermost hard layer of the Earth. It is made up of rocks and minerals, and is covered by a thin layer of soil. It is an irregular surface with various landforms such as mountains, plateaus, plains and valleys.
(vi) Which are the two major components of the biotic environment?
Answer: Plants and animals are the two major components of the biotic environment.
(vii) What is a biosphere?
Answer: Biosphere is the narrow zone of the Earth where land, water and air interact with each other to support life. It is also known as the living world that consists of both plant and animal kingdom.
Q 2. Tick the correct answer.
(i) Which is not a natural ecosystem?
(a) Desert
(b) Aquarium
(c) Forest
Answer: b
(ii) Which is not a component of the human environment?
(a) Land
(b) Religion
(c) Community
Answer: a
(iii) Which is a human-made environment?
(a) Mountain
(b) Sea
(c) Road
Answer: c
(iv) Which is a threat to the environment?
(a) Growing plant
(b) Growing population
(c) Growing crops
Answer: b
Q 3. Match the following.
(i) Biosphere (a) blanket of air which surrounds the earth
(ii) Atmosphere (b) domain of water
(iii) Hydrosphere (c) gravitational force of the earth
(iv) Environment (d) our surroundings
(e) narrow zone where the land water and the air interacts
(f) relation between the organisms and their surroundings
Answer 3:
(i) Biosphere (e) narrow zone where the land water and the air interacts
(ii) Atmosphere (a) blanket of air which surrounds the earth
(iii) Hydrosphere (b) domain of water
(iv) Environment (d) our surroundings
Q 4. Give reasons.
(i) Man modifies his environment.
Answer: Modification of environments means altering or changing the immediate surroundings. As the population is growing, human needs and desires are also growing. To fulfil the needs, humans or man modifies the environment in many ways. For example, trees are cut to me buildings or commercial places. Animals are killed for their skin and tusks.
(ii) Plants and animals depend on each other.
Answer: Plants and animals depend on each other for many things such as food and shelter.
i. Plants make their own food by photosynthesis. They are consumed by animals as food because animals cannot make their food.
ii. Plants produce oxygen which is used by animals while breathing. In return, animals release carbon dioxide in the air which is used by plants to make food during photosynthesis.
iii. Plants provide shelter to animals such as monkeys and birds.
Activities
Imagine an ideal environment where you would love to live. Draw the picture of your ideal environment
