EVS Unit-2 Notes

Unit-2 Short Summary
The use and management of natural resources are critical issues that have significant
implications for environmental sustainability and human well-being. Let's examine the various
categories of natural resources, the challenges they face, and their impacts on the environment:
1. Water Resources
Water is a vital resource for life, agriculture, and industrial activities, but its over-utilization and
mismanagement can lead to serious problems.
Over-Utilization
Over-extraction of water resources, especially from rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers,
leads to water scarcity. Factors contributing to over-utilization include:
Population growth: Increasing water demand for domestic, agricultural, and industrial
use.
Agricultural demands: Agriculture accounts for about 70% of global freshwater use,
particularly for irrigation.
Industry: Manufacturing and energy production, particularly in sectors like thermal power
plants, require vast amounts of water.
Climate change: Shifts in weather patterns and increased evaporation rates lead to more
pressure on existing water sources.
Floods
Floods occur when water overflows land that is usually dry. They can be caused by natural
factors (heavy rainfall, snowmelt, storms) or human activities (deforestation, urbanization, and
poor drainage systems). Consequences include:
Loss of life and property: Devastating impacts on infrastructure, crops, and human lives.
Soil erosion: The fertile top layer of soil can be washed away, reducing land productivity.
Pollution: Floodwater often mixes with chemicals, sewage, and industrial waste, leading
to contamination of water bodies.
Drought
Drought is a prolonged period of deficient rainfall leading to water shortages. It causes:
Reduced agricultural output: Leading to food insecurity.

Decreased water supply: Affecting domestic, industrial, and agricultural activities.
Degradation of ecosystems: Affecting biodiversity and leading to desertification.
Dams: Benefits and Problems
Dams are built to store water, generate electricity, and manage floods, but they also bring
various issues.
Benefits:
Hydroelectric power: Dams are a major source of renewable energy.

Irrigation: Water stored in dams can be used for agriculture, helping to stabilize food
production.
Flood control: Dams help regulate water flow, reducing the severity of floods
downstream.
Problems:
Displacement of people: Construction of large dams often leads to displacement of

communities.
Environmental degradation: Dams disrupt ecosystems, block fish migration, and alter
the natural flow of rivers, affecting aquatic life.
Sedimentation: Over time, reservoirs can fill with sediment, reducing their storage
capacity and effectiveness.
Increased evaporation: Large reservoirs may experience significant water loss due to
evaporation, especially in hot regions.
2. Mineral Resources
Minerals are finite, non-renewable resources that are extracted for industrial and economic use.
The exploitation of mineral resources has both benefits and drawbacks.
Use and Exploitation

Minerals such as coal, iron, copper, and gold are essential for economic development,
particularly in construction, manufacturing, and energy generation. However, excessive mining
has serious environmental and social consequences.
Environmental Effects
Habitat destruction: Mining operations often result in deforestation and destruction of

natural habitats, leading to loss of biodiversity.
Soil erosion: The removal of vegetation and surface layers of soil during mining leads to
increased erosion.
Water pollution: Mining activities release harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide,
contaminating water sources.
Air pollution: Dust and emissions from mining operations contribute to poor air quality
and respiratory problems in nearby communities.
Health impacts: Prolonged exposure to pollutants from mining can cause health issues
such as lung disease, skin conditions, and other chronic illnesses.
3. Food Resources
Modern agriculture has revolutionized food production, but it has also caused significant
environmental problems.
Changes Caused by Modern Agriculture
Monoculture farming: The practice of growing a single crop over large areas depletes
soil nutrients, making the land less fertile over time.
Use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs): These crops are engineered for higher
yields and resistance to pests, but there are concerns about their long-term impact on
biodiversity and human health.
Fertilizer and Pesticide Problems
Fertilizers: Excessive use of synthetic fertilizers can lead to nutrient runoff, causing
eutrophication in water bodies. This results in algae blooms, which deplete oxygen and
harm aquatic life.
Pesticides: Pesticides are chemicals used to control pests, but they can contaminate soil
and water, harm non-target species, and lead to the development of pesticide-resistant
pests.
Water Logging
Water logging occurs when excess water saturates the soil, often due to poor drainage in
irrigated agricultural fields. It reduces crop yields by:
Suffocating plant roots: Waterlogged soils prevent oxygen from reaching plant roots.
Soil salinization: In regions with high evaporation, water logging can lead to the
accumulation of salts in the soil, rendering it infertile.
4. Energy Resources
Energy is essential for economic development, but growing energy needs have led to over-
reliance on fossil fuels, which are depleting and environmentally damaging.
Growing Energy Needs

As global populations and economies grow, so does the demand for energy. Industrialization,
urbanization, and modern lifestyles are driving this increased consumption.
Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Sources
Non-renewable energy: Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) are the primary sources of
energy, but they are finite and contribute to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,
which drive climate change.
Renewable energy: Renewable sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy
are sustainable alternatives. They have lower environmental impacts but often face
challenges such as high initial costs, technological limitations, and variability in energy
supply.
5. Land Resources
Land is a fundamental resource for agriculture, human settlement, and economic activities.
However, land degradation is a growing concern.
Land Degradation
Land degradation is the decline in the quality of land, often due to human activities. Causes
include deforestation, overgrazing, industrial activities, and poor agricultural practices.
Man-Induced Landslides
Landslides occur when soil, rock, and debris move downhill under the influence of gravity.
Human activities such as deforestation, mining, and construction in unstable areas can trigger
landslides.
Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is the removal of the topsoil layer by wind, water, or human activities. It reduces soil
fertility and productivity and contributes to sedimentation in water bodies.
Desertification
Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, usually due to drought,
deforestation, or inappropriate agricultural practices. It is particularly severe in arid and semi-
arid regions, and it leads to loss of biodiversity, reduced agricultural productivity, and
displacement of populations.
Conclusion
The sustainable management of natural resources is essential for meeting human needs while
preserving the environment for future generations. Addressing the challenges of over-utilization,
pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change requires global cooperation, investment in
renewable energy, adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, and better land-use planning.

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Unit-2 Short Summary

Reduced agricultural output: Leading to food insecurity.

Dams: Benefits and Problems

Hydroelectric power: Dams are a major source of renewable energy.

Displacement of people: Construction of large dams often leads to displacement of

Use and Exploitation

Habitat destruction: Mining operations often result in deforestation and destruction of

Changes Caused by Modern Agriculture

Fertilizer and Pesticide Problems

Growing Energy Needs

Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Sources

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