Environment

The term environment is very familiar and has an extensive and comprehensive definition, implication and interpretation. Many people decipher and associate the environment with nature, natural landscape, and non-human characteristics. Some people nearly relate and pertain to the environment with human elements, whereas some consider the term environment related to agriculture and the rural landscape.

Thus, the term environment is associated with diverse and myriad images and manifestations of the environment. The word environment has emerged from the French word “environs” which denotes ‘surround’. The term environment can be understood as the interaction between living ( human phenomena) and non-living (non-human phenomena) entities and the effects and aftermath of this interaction on the human lifestyle.

Table of Contents

1. Abiotic and Biotic
   1.1  Abiotic Component
   1.2 Biotic Component
2. Division of Environment
   2.1  Lithosphere
   2.2  Hydrosphere
   2.3  Atmosphere
   2.4  Biosphere
3. Ecosystem
   3.1  Terrestrial ecosystem
   3.2  Aquatic Ecosystem

Environment influences human lifestyle in numerous ways. It offers foison renewable and nonrenewable resources like iron, gold, wood etc for production and apparently, it sustains human life by furnishing genetic and biodiversity. Besides all this Environment enhances and enriches the quality of life by bestowing the bounties of rivers, deserts, forests or mountains which augments the quality of life.

Abiotic and Biotic Environment

The working and the balance within the environment is maintained and sustained through the intricate interaction between abiotic and biotic components present in the environment. Let’s contemplate the biotic and abiotic components of the environment.

Abiotic Component (Non-Living Components of Environment)

• Abiotic components are non-living components of nature that affect and influence the growth, development, survival and reproduction of the existing organism. For eg sunlight, air, rain, water resources etc.
• The abiotic components present in nature differ on the ground of a varied ecosystem. Air (oxygen), an abiotic factor plays a vital role in the survival of humans on land, whereas rainfall is imperative for the tropical forest ecosystem.

Biotic Component (Living Components of Environment)

• The biotic component of the environment is considered as the living part of the ecosystem which includes the manufacturers, consumers and the decomposers which shape the ecosystem. For eg plants, bacteria, animals or other living entities.
• Biotic factors define the nature of the ecosystem as it is liable for capturing and grasping the energy and converting it into the organic compound and at the same time it is responsible for the spreading of disease and plagues.

Division of Environment

The environment is divided into four components- lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.

Division of Environment: Lithosphere

• The lithosphere is the external sphere or the exterior part of the earth and consists of the crust and the upper layer of the mantle.
• The lithosphere holds a significant position in the environment as it is that area where living organisms inhabit and live upon.
• The lithosphere is the source of the derivation of all resources, reserves and is prosperous in elements like iron, copper, gold, aluminium, calcium, copper, which helps humans to formulate and develop tools and use them for their necessity.
• Due to the interaction between living entities and the lithosphere, a huge amount of organic compounds are buried and are deposited in the crust for many years.
• As a result, this organic compound is transformed into oil, coal and natural gas which are considered beneficial resources for humans.

Division of Environment: Hydrosphere

• The aggregate amount of water present on the planet is termed as the component of the hydrosphere, whether it is the water present on the surface, in the air or underground.
• The major significance of the hydrosphere is that it sustains and nourishes numerous life forms as the cells present in a living organism requires 75% of water for the proper functioning of the body.

• The hydrosphere is also important for many plants and animals as it provides them with a place to live in. Gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen are handily dissolved in water and hence sustains and nurtures life in the water.
• Hydrosphere also enables us to regulate the temperature on the planet.

Division of Environment: Atmosphere

• The atmosphere is that layer of the earth that comprises a mixture of gases like carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen.
• These gases encircle the earth in a form of a layer and this layer is known as the atmosphere. This layer of gases along with the water vapour present in the atmosphere helps to sustain life on the earth.
• Besides supporting life on the earth, the atmosphere is also crucial for the water cycle and for moderating and maintaining the temperature on the planet. It also acts as a barrier and prevents UV rays from entering the earth.
• Gases present in the atmosphere help the sound to travel from the place of origin to other places. Without the presence of gases, the sound would not be able to travel and thus, the earth would become a silent planet.

Division of Environment: Biosphere

• The biosphere is also known as the ecosphere, and it is considered as the whole sum of all ecosystems. The biosphere supports life and stimulates the interaction between the living and non-living entities.
• The biosphere stimulates the production and the generation of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis.
• The biosphere also supports and encourages the cycle of decomposition through which toxic and other harmful substances are expelled and eliminated from the earth.

Ecosystem

The ecosystem is considered as that area where living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) entities interact and work jointly to maintain and sustain life on earth. In other words, the ecosystem can be defined as a row of interactions and interdependencies between the organism and its surroundings. Mainly the ecosystem deviates into- terrestrial ecosystem and aquatic ecosystem.

Terrestrial ecosystem

The terrestrial ecosystem is considered as the land-based ecosystem where the living organism(biotic entities) interact with the non-living organism (abiotic components) to maintain and stimulate life on the planet. The terrestrial ecosystem is classified as follows-

Aquatic Ecosystem

The aquatic ecosystem comprises oceans, rivers, seas, streams, lakes etc. The organisms living in an aquatic ecosystem depend upon water for their survival. For eg fish, plants and other microorganisms. The aquatic ecosystem is also divided into – freshwater ecosystem and the marine ecosystem.