Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Practices

Key Environmental Concepts

1. Rainwater Harvesting
   • Collecting and storing rainwater for reuse.
   • Methods: Rooftop harvesting, surface runoff collection.
2. Soil Erosion
   • Causes: Wind, water, deforestation.
   • Control: Afforestation, contour plowing, terrace farming.
3. Food Chain
   • Sequence of organisms transferring energy (Producers → Consumers → Decomposers).
4. Food Web
   • Interlinked food chains showing energy flow.
5. Pyramid of Energy
   • Shows energy flow at each trophic level.
   • Energy reduces as it moves up the levels.
6. In-situ Conservation
   • Protecting species in their natural habitat (Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves).
7. Ex-situ Conservation
   • Protecting species outside their habitat (Zoos, Seed Banks).
8. Sustainable Development
   • Meeting present needs without compromising future needs.
9. Ozone Depletion
   • Cause: CFCs breaking the ozone layer.
   • Effect: UV radiation → skin cancer, crop damage.
   • Control: Ban CFCs, Montreal Protocol.
10. Types of Solid Waste & Treatment
    • Types: Biodegradable (food), Non-biodegradable (plastic).
    • Treatment: Composting, recycling, incineration, landfills.

Causes, Effects, and Control Measures

1. Flood
   • Causes: Heavy rainfall, dam failure, deforestation.
   • Effects: Loss of life/property, waterborne diseases.
   • Control: Afforestation, proper drainage, flood barriers.
2. Drought
   • Causes: Low rainfall, deforestation, global warming.
   • Effects: Crop failure, water scarcity, famine.
   • Control: Water conservation, afforestation, drought-resistant crops.
3. Cyclone
   • Causes: Low pressure over oceans, warm sea surface.
   • Effects: High winds, floods, property destruction.
   • Control: Early warning systems, cyclone shelters, afforestation.

Environmental Challenges and Solutions

1. Problems Related to Water Resources
   Pollution, overuse, wastage, groundwater depletion, climate change.
2. Methods of Water Conservation
   Rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, afforestation, reduce-reuse-recycle.
3. Soil Erosion (Causes and Control)
   Causes: Deforestation, overgrazing, floods.
   Control: Contour plowing, reforestation, terrace farming.
4. Benefits of Forest Resources
   • Ecological: Oxygen, timber, habitat.
   • Human: Medicine, food, jobs.
5. Effects of Deforestation
   Loss of biodiversity, climate change, soil erosion, water cycle disturbance.
6. Methods of Forest Conservation
   Afforestation, wildlife sanctuaries, laws, sustainable logging.
7. Energy Crisis and Solutions
   Causes: Overconsumption, non-renewable dependence.
   Solutions: Solar, wind energy, energy efficiency, awareness.
8. Renewable Energy Sources
   Solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass.
9. Food Chain
   Flow of energy through producers → consumers → decomposers.
10. Food Web
    Interconnected food chains.
11. Structure of Ecosystem
    Biotic (living) + Abiotic (non-living) components.
12. Functions of Ecosystem
    Energy flow, nutrient cycling, regulation of the environment.
13. Ecological Pyramid
    Types: Pyramid of numbers, biomass, energy.
14. Energy Flow in Ecosystem
    Sun → Producers → Consumers → Decomposers.

Ecosystems and Conservation

• Forest: Timber, oxygen → Conservation: Afforestation.
• Grasslands: Grazing land → Conservation: Controlled grazing.
• River/Lake: Water source → Conservation: Pollution control.
• Desert: Unique flora/fauna → Conservation: Sand dune protection.

Biodiversity and Sustainable Development

16. Benefits of Biodiversity
    Food, medicine, ecosystem balance, culture.
17. Threats to Biodiversity
    Deforestation, pollution, climate change, overexploitation.
18. In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation

• In-situ: Sanctuaries, parks.
• Ex-situ: Zoos, seed banks, botanical gardens.

19. Sustainable Development
    Development meeting the needs of the present without harming future generations.
20. Objectives of Environmental Education
    Awareness, responsibility, problem-solving, action for the environment.