Unit-1: Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies and natural resoruces Flashcards
Q: What is Environmental Studies?
A: It is the scientific study of interactions between humans and the environment, focusing on sustainability and solving environmental issues.
Q: What is the scope of Environmental Studies?
A: It includes understanding ecosystems, managing natural resources, addressing pollution, and promoting sustainable development.
Q: Why is Environmental Studies important?
A: It raises awareness of environmental issues, promotes sustainability, and highlights the interdependence of humans and nature.
Q: Why is public awareness important for environmental protection?
A: It encourages informed decision-making, community participation, and action against environmental degradation.
Q: What are the major uses of forests?
A: Forests provide timber, fuelwood, paper, medicine, and non-timber products, and they regulate ecosystems.
Q: What is deforestation?
A: The large-scale clearing of forests for agriculture, urbanization, and industrial purposes.
Q: What are the impacts of deforestation?
A: Loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, climate change, and disruption of water cycles.
Q: Provide a case study of deforestation.
A: The Amazon Rainforest is heavily deforested for cattle ranching and soybean cultivation.
Q: What are the main uses of water resources?
A: Irrigation, drinking water, industrial processes, and power generation.
Q: What are the consequences of overusing groundwater?
A: Declining water tables, land subsidence, and reduced water availability for future generations.
Q: How do floods impact the environment and communities?
A: Floods cause damage to infrastructure, loss of life, displacement of communities, and waterborne diseases.
Q: What are the benefits of dams?
A: Dams provide irrigation, hydropower, drinking water, and flood control.
Q: What problems are associated with dams?
A: Displacement of people, ecological disruption, and sedimentation issues.
Q: Provide an example of a water conflict.
A: The Cauvery Water Dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in India.
Q: What are the uses of mineral resources?
A: Minerals are used in construction, manufacturing, electronics, and energy production.
Q: What are the environmental effects of mining?
A: Mining causes soil erosion, water pollution, deforestation, and habitat destruction.
Q: Provide a case study on the impact of mining.
A: Bauxite mining in Odisha, India, has caused deforestation and displacement of tribal communities.
Q: What are the major causes of world food problems?
A: Hunger, malnutrition, unequal food distribution, and population growth.
Q: What are the effects of overgrazing?
A: Overgrazing leads to soil degradation, desertification, and loss of vegetation cover.
Q: What problems are caused by modern agricultural practices?
A: Fertilizer and pesticide pollution, waterlogging, and soil salinity.
Q: Provide an example of a case study related to agriculture.
A: The Green Revolution in India improved crop yields but caused soil degradation and water pollution.
Q: Why are energy needs growing?
A: Increasing industrialization, urbanization, and population growth.
Q: What are renewable energy sources?
A: Solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass energy.
Q: What are non-renewable energy sources?
A: Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.
Q: Provide a case study on renewable energy.
A: Solar farms in Rajasthan, India, demonstrate the potential of renewable energy.
Q: Provide an example of the environmental risks of fossil fuels.
A: The Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused significant marine pollution.
Q: What are the major uses of land resources?
A: Agriculture, housing, industry, and biodiversity conservation.
Q: What is land degradation?
A: The decline in land quality due to deforestation, mining, overgrazing, and industrial activities.
Q: What is soil erosion?
A: The removal of the top fertile layer of soil by wind, water, or human activity.
Q: What is desertification?
A: The process by which fertile land becomes desert due to overexploitation and climate change.
Q: How can soil conservation be achieved?
A: Techniques like contour plowing, afforestation, terracing, and using organic fertilizers.
Q: How can individuals help conserve natural resources?
A: By reducing waste, conserving water, planting trees, and promoting sustainable practices.
Q: Why is individual action important for sustainability?
A: Individual efforts, when combined, can lead to significant environmental benefits and resource conservation.
