This document discusses different aspects of the environment and ecosystems. It defines environment and describes how human waste can pollute the air, water and soil. It explains the differences between biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. It also defines ecosystems and their components, including biotic and abiotic factors. Food chains and food webs are described. The three R's of reduce, reuse and recycle are presented as ways to help the environment. Stakeholders in forests are identified. The uses of water and impacts of human activities on water availability are noted. Different methods of water harvesting are outlined.

1. Environment refers to
the surroundings of an object, or
the Natural environment, all
living and non-living things that
occur naturally on Earth
BY WIKIPEDIA

2. Effect of adding waste to the
environment
Human activities produce a
lot of waste materials which
are thrown away into the
environment. These wastes
cause pollution of air, water
and soil.

3. Biodegradable wastes :- are wastes which are
decomposed into harmless substances by
microorganisms.
Eg :- vegetables, fruits, pulses, cereals, cotton,
jute, wool, wood, leather, paper, animal dung,
animal bones etc.
Non biodegradable wastes :- are wastes which
are not decomposed by microorganisms.
Eg :- polythene bags, plastics, synthetic
fibers, glass, metals, synthetic rubber,
insecticides, pesticides etc.

4. Ecosystem
An ecosystem consists of all the living
organisms in an area along with the non
living components and their interaction.
Natural ecosystems :- like
forests, deserts, grass lands,
mountains, ponds, lakes,
rivers, oceans etc.
Artificial ecosystems :- like
gardens, parks, crop fields,
aquarium, zoo etc.

5. Components of an ecosystem
Biotic components :-
are the living
components like
plants, animals and
microorganisms.
They consist of
producers,consumers
and decomposers
Abiotic
components :- are
the non living
components like
air, water, soil,
minerals, sunlight
temperature, wind
etc.

8. A food chain is the flow of food
energy from one organism to the
next and to the next and so on.
They usually start with a
producer (plants) and end with a
carnivore. In a food chain an
organism gets food from one
group of organisms.

10. Food web
Food web is a group of several
interconnected food chains. In a
food web an organism gets food
from more than one group of
organisms.

12. The three R’s to save the environment
Reduce :- means using less of natural resources
and avoiding wastage of natural resources.
Recycle :- means the materials like paper, plastic, glass,
metals etc. used for making things can again be used for
making new things instead of synthesising or extracting
new paper, plastic, glass or metals.
Reuse :- means using things again and again like the
plastic bottles in which we buy jams, pickles etc can be
again used for storing things in the kitchen.

14. Stake holders
People who are associated with forests directly or
indirectly are :-
i) People living in and around forests depend on forests
for their livelihood.
ii) Industrialists who use the raw materials from forests
for manufacturing paper, medicines, furniture etc.
iii) Nature and wild life organisations who want to
conserve and preserve forests.

16. Water
Uses of water ?
Water is a basic necessity for all living
things. We use water for our daily needs, for
agriculture, transportation, construction of
buildings, roads, dams etc. Water is a
natural habitat for aquatic organisms.
Human activities are affecting the
availability of water and causing
pollution of water bodies.

17. DAMS

18. Water harvesting (Rain water harvesting)
Water harvesting is collecting and storing rain
water for future use.
The common methods of water harvesting are
i) Digging pits, ponds, lakes etc.
ii) Building small earthen dams or concrete
check dams.
iii) Construction of dykes.
iv) Construction of reservoirs.
v) Construction of rooftop collecting units in
houses.

19. Different methods of water harvesting

23. BY BISWADEEPAK RATH