This textbook uses a balanced approach to the study of environment adopting operational definitions, broad and realistic classification and focused analyses and discussions that highlight the complexities, importance and scope of environmental studies to a wide array of undergraduate students.

The book categorizes the environment into three general chapters: - Non-Living (or abiotic) Environment; Living (or biotic) Environment; Social (or human) Environment and the fourth chapter, Environmental Conservation, integrates the first three chapters.

The intention of this textbook is to focus on specific topics and headings, appearing in the ‘Core Module Syllabus’ proposed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for Environmental Studies, which is applicable to Undergraduate Courses of all Branches of Higher Education.

For this purpose, the book has redistributed the proposed topics and headings under the four interlinked chapters and discussed them with well-established examples and case studies.

Contents
Foreword

Preface

Syllabus Map

Chapter 1 Nonliving Environment

Learning Objectives

1.1 Soil

Origin

Classification

Soil Types of India

Mineral Resources

Equitable Use of Mineral Resources

1.2 Water

Earth’s Reserves

Saltwater

Freshwater

Atmospheric Water and Rainfall

Hydrology

Minimum Environmental Flows

1.3 Air

Composition

Oxygen

Carbon dioxide

Nitrogen

Wind

1.4 Solar System

The Sun

Solar Energy

Summary

Key Terms

Review Questions

Objective-Type Questions

Answers

Short-Term Projects



Chapter 2 Living Environment



Learning Objectives

2.1 Biodiversity

Genes

Populations

Species

What is Species?

Communities

Value of Biodiversity

2.2 Ecosystems

Classification

Ecosystem Resilience

Productivity

Food Chain

Food Web

Nutrient Cycling

2.3 Biomes

Rainforests

Seasonal Broad-Leaved Forests

Conifer Forests

Swamps

Grasslands

Arid and Semi-Arid Biome

Polar Biome (Arctic and Antarctic)

Oceans

Summary

Key Terms

Review Questions

Objective-Type Questions

Answers

Short-Term Projects



Chapter 3 Social Environment



Learning Objectives

3.1 Population

Population Explosion and Migration

Women and Children

Pressures of Population Growth

Industrialization

Conflicts Over Land

Social Conflicts

Disasters

Human Rights and Value Education

3.2 Food

Agriculture

Irrigation

Livestock

Fisheries

Sustainable Agriculture



3.3 Health

Communicable Diseases

Vector-Borne Diseases

Pandemics

Vulnerable Groups

Role of Information and Awareness

3.4 Energy

Non-Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

Hydroelectric Energy

Solar Energy

Wind Energy

Energy from Biomass

Biodiesel

3.5 Urbanization

Habitation

Communication

Recreation



3.6 Waste

Solid Wastes

Sewage and Wastewater

Hazardous Wastes

Management of Solid Wastes

Land Disposal and Sanitary Landfills

Recycling

Medical Wastes

Industrial Wastes

Wastewater Treatment

Bioremediation of Wastewater

Biodegradation and Composting

Management of Toxic and Hazardous Wastes

3.7 Pollution

Air Pollution

Noise Pollution

Thermal Pollution

Water Pollution

Marine Pollution

Biomagnification

Land Pollution

Control

3.8 Economy

Subsistence

Markets

Global Trade Regimes

3.9 Natural Resource Depletion

Deforestation

Mining

Soil Erosion

Loss of Wetlands

Loss of Biodiversity

Desertification

3.10 Invasive Species

Plants

Animals

Genetically Modified Organisms

Summary

Key Terms

Review Questions

Objective-Type Questions

Answers

Short-Term Projects



Chapter 4 Environmental Conservation



Learning Objectives

4.1 Early warning systems

Bioindicators

Tsunami and Other Natural Disasters

Disaster Management

4.2 Impact Assessment

Inventorying

Monitoring

Geographical Information System (GIS)

4.3 Protected Areas

Wildlife Sanctuaries

National Parks

Biosphere Reserves

4.4 Endangered Species

Assessment

Ex-Situ Conservation

Conservation Breeding

4.5 Economic Valuation

Bioresources

Nature’s Services

4.6 National Legislation

Constitutional Provisions for Safeguarding the Environment

The Environmental (Protection) Act

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act

The Wildlife (Protection) Act

Forest Act

Biodiversity Act

4.7 International Conventions and Treaties

Ramsar Convention

CITES

Convention on Biological Diversity

Convention to Combat Desertification

Convention on Climate Change

4.8 Global Efforts in Protecting the Living Environment

Global Biodiversity Assessment

Ecosystem Services and Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

4.9 Awareness and the Role of Individuals in Conservation of the Environment

Exercise Caution While Planting Trees

Beware of Invasive Organisms

Avoid Actions That Lead to Pollution and Inconvenience

Do Not Allow Pets and Domestic Animals to Become Public Nuisance

Conserve Water

Summary

Key Terms

Review Questions

Objective-Type Questions

Answers

Term Papers



Frequently Asked Questions

Appendix I

Appendix II

Appendix III

Appendix IV

Appendix V

Glossary

Bibliography

Index