GU Environmental Studies Solved Question Paper 2023 [Gauhati University BCom 1st Sem NEP FYUGP]

[Gauhati University B.Com 1st Sem NEP FYUGP]

B.COM FYUGP SEMESTER - I

 

2023

PAPER: VAC0101002

(ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES)

(VALUE ADDED COURSE)

Full Marks: 30

Time: 1½ hours

 

1. Short Answer Questions (1×5 = 5)

(a) Who coined the term Ecology?
The term "Ecology" was coined by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel in 1866.

(b) What is called Brahmaputra in China?
The Brahmaputra River is called the Yarlung Tsangpo in China.

(c) Who is known as the "Forest man of India"?
Jadav Payeng, an environmental activist, is known as the "Forest Man of India."

(d) Ozone layer is present in which part of the atmosphere?
The ozone layer is present in the stratosphere of the atmosphere.

(e) The Environment Protection Act was implemented in the year
The Environment Protection Act was implemented in the year 1986.

2. Long Answer Questions (2×5 = 10)

(a) Define the Ecosystem.
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, microbes) interacting with their physical environment (air, water, soil) in a specific area. It includes both the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components, forming a functional unit.

(b) What is a food chain?
A food chain represents the flow of energy and nutrients through different trophic levels in an ecosystem, starting from primary producers (plants) to herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers. Each step in the chain is called a trophic level.

(c) What do you mean by Lotic and Lentic ecosystems?

• Lotic ecosystems refer to flowing water ecosystems, such as rivers and streams.
• Lentic ecosystems refer to still water ecosystems, such as ponds, lakes, and marshes.

(d) Distinguish between weather and climate.

• Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific place at a particular time (e.g., temperature, rainfall, humidity).
• Climate refers to the long-term average of weather conditions in a region over a long period (e.g., decades or centuries).

(e) Give one example of in-situ and ex-situ conservation.

• In-situ conservation: Protecting species in their natural habitats (e.g., national parks or wildlife sanctuaries).
• Ex-situ conservation: Conservation of species outside their natural habitats (e.g., botanical gardens, zoos).

(f) What is acid rain?
Acid rain refers to precipitation (rain, snow, or fog) that has a lower pH than normal due to the presence of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the atmosphere, which combine with water vapor to form sulfuric and nitric acids.

(g) What are Greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect. These include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and water vapor (H2O).

(h) What do you mean by ecological succession?
Ecological succession is the process by which an ecosystem changes and develops over time. It occurs in a series of stages, from pioneer species colonizing a barren area to the eventual establishment of a stable community or climax ecosystem.

(i) What is the Greenhouse Effect?
The Greenhouse Effect is the process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, trap heat from the Sun, preventing it from escaping back into space, thereby warming the planet.

(j) What is soil erosion? Name the two types of soil erosion.
Soil erosion is the process by which the topsoil is removed by natural forces such as wind, water, or human activities. The two main types of soil erosion are:

• Water erosion: Caused by rainfall and surface runoff.
• Wind erosion: Caused by the wind blowing away loose, dry soil.

3. Answer any three of the following. 5×3 = 15

(a) What do you mean by Natural Resources? How are they classified? Give examples.

Natural resources are elements found in the natural environment that are essential for human survival and economic development. These resources include raw materials, energy, and services provided by nature, which humans utilize for various purposes. The classification of natural resources is based on their availability, renewal rate, and origin. They are primarily classified into two broad categories:

1.     Renewable Resources:
Renewable resources are those resources that can naturally replenish themselves over time. They are considered sustainable if they are used responsibly and not overexploited. These resources are naturally regenerated through environmental processes such as the water cycle, solar energy, and the growth of plants and animals.

• Examples:
• Solar energy: The Sun provides an unlimited source of energy, and solar power is a renewable resource that can be harnessed for electricity and heating.
• Wind energy: Wind is an abundant resource that can be harnessed for power generation using wind turbines.
• Water: Water in rivers, lakes, and oceans is a renewable resource, as it cycles naturally through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
• Forests: When managed sustainably, forests are renewable, as they can regenerate through natural processes like seed dispersal and growth.
• Biomass: Organic materials like plants, wood, and waste can be used as energy sources, and they regenerate naturally through plant growth.

2.     Non-renewable Resources:
Non-renewable resources are finite resources that cannot be replenished on a human timescale. Once these resources are depleted, they cannot be regenerated quickly enough to meet the growing demands. Non-renewable resources often take millions of years to form, and their extraction and use lead to environmental degradation if not managed sustainably.

• Examples:
• Fossil fuels: Coal, oil, and natural gas are non-renewable energy sources formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. These resources are being rapidly depleted and contribute to environmental pollution and climate change.
• Minerals and metals: Resources like iron, copper, gold, and aluminum are finite. They are extracted through mining, and their reserves are gradually being exhausted.
• Nuclear fuels: Uranium, used in nuclear reactors, is also a non-renewable resource.

The distinction between renewable and non-renewable resources is essential for understanding the impact of resource consumption on the environment and the need for sustainable management practices.

(b) Discuss the importance of environmental studies in the present-day world.

Environmental studies have become crucial in the contemporary world due to the growing concerns about the health of our planet. These studies involve understanding the natural environment, human interactions with it, and the ways in which human activities impact the environment. The importance of environmental studies in today's world is multifaceted:

1.     Awareness and Education:
Environmental studies play a vital role in raising awareness about global environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. Educating people about these challenges encourages them to take individual and collective action to address environmental problems. Awareness is the first step toward change.

2.     Sustainable Development:
Environmental studies emphasize the importance of sustainable development, which focuses on meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This concept is crucial for ensuring that economic growth does not come at the expense of environmental health and resource depletion.

3.     Informed Decision Making:
Environmental studies provide the knowledge necessary for policymakers, scientists, and business leaders to make informed decisions. Governments use environmental studies to draft policies that promote conservation, renewable energy, pollution control, and biodiversity preservation. This helps in shaping laws and regulations that ensure environmental protection.

4.     Conservation of Natural Resources:
Environmental studies highlight the importance of conserving natural resources for future generations. By understanding how resources are used and how ecosystems function, people can adopt practices that minimize waste, reduce energy consumption, and preserve ecosystems.

5.     Mitigating Environmental Issues:
By studying environmental issues, such as global warming, air and water pollution, and land degradation, we can develop solutions to mitigate these problems. Environmental studies guide the development of technologies and strategies to combat climate change, clean up polluted areas, and restore damaged ecosystems.

(b) Discuss the importance of environmental studies in the present-day world.
Environmental studies are essential in today's world for several reasons:

• Awareness and Education: Environmental studies help raise awareness about environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and conservation, encouraging people to take proactive measures.
• Sustainability: These studies promote the idea of sustainable development, ensuring that natural resources are used responsibly to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• Policy and Decision Making: Environmental studies inform policies and laws aimed at protecting the environment, controlling pollution, and conserving resources.
• Biodiversity Conservation: They emphasize the need to preserve biodiversity, maintaining healthy ecosystems that support life on Earth.
• Mitigating Environmental Problems: Environmental studies help identify solutions to critical environmental issues such as global warming, deforestation, and the depletion of natural resources.

(c) Discuss the major consequences of deforestation.

Deforestation refers to the large-scale clearing or removal of forests, typically for agriculture, urban development, or logging. The consequences of deforestation are severe and wide-ranging, impacting the environment, biodiversity, and human societies. Here are the major consequences of deforestation:

1.     Loss of Biodiversity:
Forests are home to a vast number of plant and animal species. When forests are destroyed, the habitats of many species are lost, leading to a decline in biodiversity. Species that are unable to adapt to new environments or relocate face extinction. The destruction of habitats also affects the food chain, as plants and animals play vital roles in maintaining ecosystem balance.

2.     Contribution to Climate Change:
Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. When trees are cut down, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. The increased concentration of greenhouse gases leads to global warming, which disrupts weather patterns and causes more extreme climate events.

3.     Soil Erosion and Degradation:
Trees and plants help stabilize the soil by preventing erosion through their root systems. Without vegetation, the soil becomes more prone to erosion by wind and water. Soil erosion leads to the loss of fertile topsoil, reducing agricultural productivity and causing sedimentation in rivers and streams, which harms aquatic life.

4.     Disruption of the Water Cycle:
Forests play a key role in regulating the water cycle by absorbing and releasing water through transpiration. Deforestation disrupts this balance, leading to changes in local rainfall patterns. In some areas, it can cause droughts, while in others, it can result in flooding. Deforestation also reduces the availability of fresh water for human consumption and agriculture.

5.     Impact on Indigenous Communities:
Many indigenous communities rely on forests for their livelihoods, culture, and shelter. Deforestation displaces these communities, threatening their way of life and leading to loss of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. It can also increase poverty and social instability, as people lose access to resources.

In conclusion, deforestation has far-reaching consequences that affect not only the environment but also human well-being. It is crucial to implement policies and practices that promote sustainable forestry, conservation, and reforestation to mitigate the negative impacts of deforestation.

(d) Explain the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.

An ecosystem is a complex community of living organisms and their physical environment, interacting as a system. The two main components of an ecosystem are biotic and abiotic components.

1.     Biotic Components:
The biotic components of an ecosystem refer to the living organisms that interact with each other and the environment. These components are classified based on their role in the food chain and the energy flow within the ecosystem:

• Producers (Autotrophs): These are organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria. They form the base of the food chain.
• Consumers (Heterotrophs): These organisms rely on other organisms for food. They can be further divided into:
• Primary consumers (herbivores) feed on producers (e.g., deer, rabbits).
• Secondary consumers (carnivores) feed on primary consumers (e.g., wolves, birds of prey).
• Tertiary consumers are top predators that feed on secondary consumers (e.g., lions, eagles).
• Decomposers (Detritivores): These organisms break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the environment. Examples include fungi, bacteria, and earthworms.

2.     Abiotic Components:
Abiotic components are the non-living factors that influence an ecosystem. These factors provide the necessary conditions for life and shape the structure of ecosystems. Some key abiotic components include:

• Light: Solar energy is crucial for photosynthesis and affects the growth of plants.
• Temperature: Determines the metabolic rate of organisms and influences the distribution of species.
• Water: Essential for all forms of life, it affects plant growth, animal behavior, and the overall functioning of ecosystems.
• Soil: Provides nutrients for plants and serves as a habitat for many organisms.
• Air: Composed of gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, it is necessary for respiration and other metabolic processes.
• Climate: The overall weather conditions (temperature, rainfall, humidity, etc.) that determine the characteristics of ecosystems, such as forests, deserts, or grasslands.

Together, biotic and abiotic components form a functioning and balanced ecosystem where energy and nutrients are constantly cycled.

(e) Explain briefly the causes of Air Pollution.

Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere that can negatively affect human health, animals, plants, and the climate. The primary causes of air pollution include:

1.     Vehicular Emissions:
The burning of fossil fuels in cars, trucks, and other vehicles releases pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons, and particulate matter (PM). These pollutants contribute significantly to urban air pollution.

2.     Industrial Emissions:
Factories and power plants emit large amounts of harmful substances such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter. These pollutants are primarily produced during the combustion of coal and other fossil fuels.

3.     Agricultural Activities:
Agriculture contributes to air pollution through the use of fertilizers and pesticides, which release ammonia (NH3) and other harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. Livestock farming also produces methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas.

4.     Deforestation and Land Use Changes:
When forests are cleared for agricultural purposes or urban development, carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere. The loss of trees also reduces the planet's ability to absorb CO2, exacerbating the greenhouse effect and air pollution.

5.     Burning of Fossil Fuels:
The combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas in power plants, homes, and industries produces large amounts of CO2, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, all of which contribute to air pollution.

6.     Household Activities:
Household activities such as cooking (especially with wood or charcoal), the use of cleaning products, and the burning of candles or incense can release pollutants into the air, including particulate matter and volatile organic compounds.

7.     Natural Sources:
While human activities are the major contributors to air pollution, natural sources such as wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and dust storms also release pollutants like carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere.

The health impacts of air pollution are widespread and include respiratory diseases, heart diseases, and even cancer. It is also a major contributor to global warming and climate change.

(f) Discuss the salient features of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.

The Environmental Protection Act (EPA), 1986 is a comprehensive legislation enacted by the Government of India to provide for the protection and improvement of the environment. It gives the government the authority to take measures to safeguard the environment, and it outlines penalties for those who violate environmental laws. The key features of the Act are:

1.     Power to Take Measures:
The Act grants the central government the power to take measures for the protection and improvement of the environment. This includes the prevention of pollution, the management of hazardous substances, and the promotion of sustainable development.

2.     Environmental Standards:
The EPA empowers the government to set standards for air, water, and soil quality. These standards help regulate pollution levels and ensure that industries and other sectors do not exceed limits that could harm the environment.

3.     Regulation of Environmental Pollution:
The Act provides the legal framework for regulating pollution from various sources, such as industrial emissions, effluent discharge, and waste management. It mandates that industries obtain clearance for their operations if they pose a risk to the environment.

4.     Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):
The Act mandates that certain projects, such as industrial projects or large infrastructure developments, undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This process ensures that the potential environmental impacts of a project are evaluated before it is approved.

5.     Prevention and Control of Hazardous Waste:
The EPA includes provisions for the management and handling of hazardous substances and waste. It requires industries to obtain authorization for handling hazardous materials and sets guidelines for their disposal to prevent contamination.

6.     Penalty and Legal Action:
The Act imposes penalties for non-compliance with environmental standards. Any person or organization that violates the provisions of the Act may face penalties, fines, and even imprisonment. It also allows for the closure of industries or facilities that pose a serious environmental risk.

7.     Role of the Central and State Governments:
The Act outlines the responsibilities of both the central and state governments in the implementation of environmental protection measures. It also allows for the establishment of environmental authorities at the central and state levels to oversee and enforce the law.

8.     Public Participation:
The Act encourages public participation in environmental protection. It allows individuals and organizations to bring complaints to the government regarding environmental degradation, ensuring transparency and accountability.

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