Unit 1 | MNGT701 Notes | Environmental Sustainability Notes | Aktu Notes

Various Components of Environment

Definition: The environment is everything that surrounds us and affects living conditions. It includes natural, man-made, biological, and social components.

Types of Environment:

• Natural Environment – created by nature (air, water, land, plants, animals).
• Man-Made Environment – created or modified by humans (buildings, roads, industries).
• Social Environment – human society, culture, institutions, and relationships.
• Biological Environment – all living organisms (plants, animals, microbes).

Components of Environment (two main groups):

• Biotic Components (Living) – producers (autotrophs), consumers (herbivores, carnivores), decomposers (bacteria, fungi).
• Abiotic Components (Non-living) – air, water, soil, minerals, temperature, sunlight, climate.

Ecology and Environment

Ecology: Ecology is the study of relationships between living organisms and their environment. (Eco = home; logy = study.)

Levels of Ecological Organization:

• Organism – a single living being (e.g., one human).
• Population – group of individuals of the same species in an area.
• Community – all populations of different species in an area.
• Ecosystem – interaction between biotic and abiotic components.
• Biome – large region with similar climate & vegetation (desert, forest).
• Biosphere – the global ecological system containing all life on Earth.

Components of the Biosphere

Definition: The biosphere is the part of Earth where life exists — it includes land, water and air where organisms live.

Main Components:

• Lithosphere – the solid outer part of Earth (soil, rocks). Provides nutrients and support for plants and animals.
• Hydrosphere – all water on Earth (oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater). Supports aquatic life and supplies water to organisms.
• Atmosphere – the layer of gases around Earth (mainly N₂ and O₂). Protects from harmful radiation and helps regulate temperature.
• Biotic Component – all living organisms interacting with lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.

Interaction: These components continuously interact. Example: plants grow in soil (lithosphere), take water (hydrosphere) and CO₂ from air (atmosphere).

Biodiversity

Definition: Biodiversity is the variety of life forms on Earth — including plants, animals and microorganisms — and the ecosystems they form.

Types of Biodiversity:

• Genetic Diversity – variation of genes within a species (e.g., different crop varieties).
• Species Diversity – variety of species in a region (birds, plants, insects).
• Ecosystem Diversity – variety of habitats or ecosystems (forests, wetlands, grasslands).

Importance of Biodiversity:

• Provides food, medicine and raw materials.
• Maintains ecosystem balance (pollination, nutrient cycling).
• Supports soil formation and climate regulation.
• Cultural, recreational and economic value.

Threats to Biodiversity:

• Deforestation
• Pollution
• Climate change
• Overexploitation (overfishing, hunting)
• Habitat destruction and fragmentation

Conservation Methods:

• In-situ Conservation – protecting species in their natural habitats (national parks, sanctuaries).
• Ex-situ Conservation – protecting species outside their habitats (zoos, botanical gardens, seed banks).

Concept of Sustainable Development

Definition: Sustainable development means meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Key Objectives:

• Environmental protection
• Economic growth
• Social equity

Principles:

• Inter-generational equity – preserve resources for future generations.
• Use of renewable resources – favor solar, wind, hydro instead of fossil fuels.
• Pollution prevention – reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Public participation – involve communities in decisions.
• Conservation of biodiversity – maintain healthy ecosystems.

Examples:

• Switching to solar energy
• Organic farming practices
• Promoting electric vehicles
• Afforestation and reforestation

Summary

Topic	Key Points
Components of Environment	Biotic (living) + Abiotic (non-living)
Ecology	Study of interactions between organisms and environment
Biosphere	Part of Earth where life exists (lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere)
Biodiversity	Variety of life: genetic, species, ecosystem
Sustainable Development	Meeting present needs without harming future generations

Key Terms to Remember

• Ecosystem: community of organisms + their environment.
• Abiotic Factors: non-living environmental factors (temperature, water).
• Biotic Factors: living organisms in the environment.
• Conservation: protection and preservation of resources.
• Renewable Resources: resources that can be naturally replenished (solar).
• Non-renewable Resources: finite resources (coal, petroleum).