Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Environment and the Concept of Environmental Geography
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Part II: Environmental Geography
Environment and the Concept of Environmental Geography
Questions &Answers
1. What is meant by environment? Why is environment considered as a system?
Ans: Environment refers to the sum total of human beings, animals, plants, and all the biotic and abiotic components surrounding them. Environment is considered as a system because all its components are interdependent and function in an interrelated manner.
2. Explain the relationship among the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere of the Earth with examples.
Ans: The atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere are deeply interrelated with one another. For example, rainfall from the atmosphere makes the soil in the lithosphere suitable for life, that water is stored in the hydrosphere, and with the help of this soil and water, plants and animals of the biosphere survive.
3. Write briefly why the environment is not the same in all regions of the Earth.
Ans: The environment is not the same in all regions of the Earth because climate, temperature, amount of rainfall, landforms, soil characteristics, and natural vegetation differ from region to region. Some areas are mountainous, some are plains, some are deserts, and some are coastal; therefore, their natural environments vary. Moreover, human activities such as agriculture, industry, urbanization, and population density also differ from region to region, resulting in environmental differences.
4. Define environmental geography.
Ans: The study of the interrelationship between humans and the natural environment is called environmental geography.
5. Discuss the importance of environmental geography as a branch of geography.
Ans: Environmental geography is very important because it helps in understanding the relationship between humans and nature, identifies environmental problems, and shows ways to solve them.
6. Give an outline of the objectives and scope of environmental geography.
Ans: The main objectives of environmental geography are environmental conservation, proper use of resources, and sustaining human life. Its scope includes natural environment, human activities, and environmental problems.
7. What is meant by components of environment? Write the meaning of biotic and abiotic components.
Ans: All the substances and energies that form the environment are called components of the environment. Components having life are called biotic components, and those without life are called abiotic components.
8. Classify the following components into biotic and abiotic and complete the list: phytoplankton, grass, forest, insects, virus, mangrove, sand, pebble, bacteria, rainfall, humidity, soil, water, coal, mineral oil, solar energy.
Ans: Biotic components: phytoplankton, grass, forest, insects, virus, mangrove.
Abiotic components: sand, pebble, rainfall, humidity, soil, water, coal, mineral oil, solar energy.
9. What is meant by environmental problem?
Ans: Problems arising due to the disturbance of the natural balance of the environment are called environmental problems.
10. Mention the reasons for the increasing environmental problems on Earth.
Ans: Environmental problems have increased due to population growth, deforestation, industrialization, urbanization, excessive use of resources, and pollution.
11. What is meant by the state of environmental balance?
Ans: The state in which there is natural harmony among all components of the environment is called environmental balance.
12. Analyze the statement ‘Deforestation is the cause of many problems and also the result of much development’ with arguments.
Ans: Deforestation, that is, the destruction of forests, is a major cause of many environmental problems. As a result of deforestation, soil erosion increases, floods and droughts occur, the continuity of rainfall is disturbed, and climate change intensifies. In the absence of vegetation, the soil loses its fertility and the habitats of animals are destroyed, leading to loss of biodiversity.
On the other hand, deforestation also occurs as a result of various developmental activities. Due to population growth, forests are cleared for expanding agricultural land, establishing industries, building roads, cities, and settlements. Therefore, it can be said that deforestation is both a cause of many problems and an inevitable result of development.
13. What is global warming? Mention its main causes.
Ans: The increase in the average temperature of the Earth is called global warming. Its main causes are the increase of greenhouse gases, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels.
14. Give an outline of the problems that may arise due to global warming.
Ans: Global warming may lead to melting of glaciers, rise in sea level, climate change, droughts, and floods.
15. Write briefly about the duties of humans in controlling global warming.
Ans: The responsibility of humans in controlling global warming is very important. Humans must conserve forests and increase forest cover by planting more trees. The use of fossil fuels should be reduced and the use of renewable energy such as solar and wind energy should be increased. Air pollution should be reduced by controlling emissions from industries and vehicles. Along with this, increasing public awareness about environmental conservation and maintaining harmony with nature in development are the main duties of humans.
16. Write the names of some greenhouse gases.
Ans: Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons.
17. What is meant by air pollution? What are the causes of air pollution?
Ans: The mixing of harmful gases and particles in the air is called air pollution. Air gets polluted due to vehicle emissions, industries, and burning of fuels.
18. What kind of problems can air pollution cause?
Ans: Air pollution causes respiratory diseases, acid rain, and environmental damage.
19. How is water polluted? Write briefly about the harm caused by water pollution.
Ans: Water gets polluted when wastes discharged from industries, household garbage, sewage water, and chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture mix with rivers, lakes, and ponds. Moreover, water pollution also occurs due to the disposal of materials used in religious or social activities into water bodies. As a result of water pollution, aquatic life is destroyed, water becomes unfit for drinking, and water-borne diseases spread among humans. Polluted water also creates serious problems in agriculture and daily life.
20. Explain in detail what measures humans can take to solve environmental problems.
Ans: To solve environmental problems, humans must take responsible and conscious measures.
First, forests should be conserved and large-scale plantation should be undertaken to maintain ecological balance.
Second, strict laws should be implemented to control pollution in industrial and urban areas, and these laws must be properly enforced.
Third, the use of renewable energy such as solar and wind energy should be increased to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Fourth, pollution should be reduced through scientific waste management, reuse, and recycling.
Fifth, increasing public awareness about environmental conservation and achieving development in harmony with nature is the key to solving environmental problems.
Additional Questions and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
1. What does the term environment mainly mean?
(a) Only the nature around humans
(b) Biotic components only
(c) The sum of biotic and abiotic components
(d) Only air and water
Ans: (c)
2. Which of the following is an abiotic component of the environment?
(a) Tree
(b) Animal
(c) Water
(d) Insects
Ans: (c)
3. Why is the environment called a system?
(a) It is very large
(b) It has no life
(c) Its components are interdependent
(d) It is created by humans
Ans: (c)
4. The atmosphere is mainly related to which component?
(a) Air
(b) Soil
(c) Rock
(d) Minerals
Ans: (a)
5. The lithosphere is mainly associated with what?
(a) Water
(b) Air
(c) Landforms and soil
(d) Living beings
Ans: (c)
6. What is the main subject of study in environmental geography?
(a) Human society
(b) Natural resources
(c) Relationship between humans and environment
(d) Weather changes
Ans: (c)
7. What is the main cause of global warming?
(a) Rainfall
(b) Increase in greenhouse gases
(c) Flood
(d) Earthquake
Ans: (b)
8. Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?
(a) Oxygen
(b) Nitrogen
(c) Carbon dioxide
(d) Hydrogen
Ans: (c)
9. Which of the following problems is caused by deforestation?
(a) Soil erosion
(b) Wind flow
(c) Increase in soil fertility
(d) Increase in rainfall
Ans: (a)
10. What is a major source of air pollution?
(a) River
(b) Forest
(c) Vehicles
(d) Mountains
Ans: (c)
11. Which is affected by water pollution?
(a) Only humans
(b) Only plants
(c) Only animals
(d) Aquatic organisms
Ans: (d)
12. What happens when environmental balance is disturbed?
(a) Development increases
(b) Problems arise
(c) Rainfall increases
(d) Air becomes clean
Ans: (b)
13. What is meant by biosphere?
(a) Only plants
(b) Only animals
(c) Region where life exists
(d) Water region
Ans: (c)
14. Which problem increases due to industrialization?
(a) Pollution
(b) Increase in forests
(c) Clean air
(d) Soil conservation
Ans: (a)
15. Which is a method of environmental conservation?
(a) More deforestation
(b) More burning of fuel
(c) Tree plantation
(d) Wastage of water
Ans: (c)
Short Answer Type Questions (Mark: 1/2)
1. What is the meaning of the term environment?
Ans: The sum total of biotic and abiotic components surrounding us is called environment.
2. What is meant by biotic components?
Ans: Components that have life are called biotic components.
3. Give one example of an abiotic component.
Ans: Water.
4. Environmental geography is a branch of which subject?
Ans: Geography.
5. What is called the hydrosphere?
Ans: All the water bodies of the Earth are called the hydrosphere.
6. What is associated with the lithosphere?
Ans: Soil and landforms.
7. What is meant by global warming?
Ans: Increase in the average temperature of the Earth.
8. Write the name of one greenhouse gas.
Ans: Methane.
9. Write one effect of deforestation.
Ans: Soil erosion.
10. What causes air pollution?
Ans: Emissions of smoke from vehicles and industries.
11. Write one source of water pollution.
Ans: Industrial waste.
12. What is meant by environmental balance?
Ans: Natural harmony among different components of the environment.
13. Why do environmental problems arise?
Ans: Due to the disturbance of environmental balance.
14. What is included in the biosphere?
Ans: All living organisms.
15. Write one method of environmental conservation.
Ans: Tree plantation.
