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.