Environment
Definition
Environment is derived from a french word Environer/Environner meaning "neighbourhood". It is defined as the space inhabitated which allows the ecosysytem to dwell, survive and thrive are called their respective environment. Environment is basically the place we live, or the system which supports life and allows us to get adapted to the surroundings and their environment.
Division
Natural
- Lithosphere (Land)
- Hydrosphere (Water)
- Atmosphere (Air)
- Biosphere (Living things)
Artificial
- Buildings
- Parks
- Bridges
- Roads
- Monuments
- Industries
Human
- Individuals
- Family
- Community
- Religion
- Political Situation
- Economic
Abiotic
- Energy
- Radiation
- Temperature & Heat Flow
- Water
- Gases & Wind
- Fire
- Gravity
- Topography
- Soil
Biotic
- Green & Non-Green Plants
- Decomposers
- Parasites
- Animals
- Man
Ecosystem
The system formed by the interaction of all the organisms(from virus to human being) with each other & with the physical & chemical factors of the environment in which they live, all linked by the transfer of energy and material.
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| Ecosystem |
Classification of Eco-system
Terrestrial
- Forests
- Grasslands
- Deserts
Aquatic
- Freshwater
- Saline Water
- Marine Water
Ecosystem Contribution
- It provides food, fuel, fibre, shelter & building materials.
- Purify the air, water, soil etc.
- Decomposition of wastes and garbages.
- Regulation of the weather & climate.
- Control floods, draughts, extreme temperature.
- Generation & Renewable of soil fertility and nutrients cycle.
- Pollination of plants, controlling of pests & crop diseases.
Ecotone
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| Ecotone |
A zone of junction between two or more diverse ecosystem. Examples mangrooves forests, grasslands, estuaries and river bank.
Characteristics
- May be very narrow or quite wide.
- It has the the conditions intermediate to the adjacent eco-system. Hence its a zone of tension.
- It is linear as it shows progressive increase in species composition of one in coming community and a simultaneous decrease in species of the other out going adjoining community.
- A well developed ecotones contain some organisms which are entirely different that of the adjoining communities.
