MODULE I

INTRODUCTION
Lesson 1
Definition, Scope, Importance and
Interdisciplinary Nature of
Environmental Science

Lesson 2
Seven Environmental Laws of Ecology
and Principles of Sustainability

Lesson 3
The Nature of Ecosystems, Biotic and
Abiotic Components

Lesson 4
Biogeochemical Cycles
Types of Biomes
Interactions in the Ecosystem
 MODULE I

FOUNDATION OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

 INTRODUCTION

Environmental science is multidisciplinary because it encompasses various

branches of studies like life science, chemistry, physics, medical science,
agriculture, public health, and many more. It is the science of physical
phenomena in the environment that focuses on sources, reactions, transport,
effect, and the fate of physical a biological species in the air, water, and soil
and the impact of human activity upon these. The span of this first module is
set for four weeks, equivalent to 12 hours.

OBJECTIVES

After studying the module, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the definition, scope and, importance of Environmental
Science in general and to your course
2. Explain the interdisciplinary nature of Environmental Science
3. Enumerate, explain, and cite situations wherein the seven
environmental principles can be applied
4. Enumerate and explain the three scientific principles of sustainability
and how it affects man and nature
5. Describe the components of an ecosystem
6. Differentiate between biotic and abiotic components and how they
affect each other
7. Examine the various biogeochemical cycles and describe and explain
how they affect nature overall
8. Distinguish the among types of biomes in terms of major physical
characteristics and flora and fauna
9. Describe and cite examples around you of different
interactions/relationships in the ecosystem

 DIRECTIONS/ MODULE ORGANIZER

There are four main lessons in this module. Read each lesson
carefully, then answer the exercises/activities to determine how much you
have benefited from it. Work on these exercises reliably and submit your
output to your tutor or the CAS office.

In case you encounter difficulty, discuss this with your tutor during the
face-to-face meeting. If not, contact your instructor at the CAS office. Good
luck and happy reading!!!
 Lesson 1
Definition, Scope, Importance and

 Interdisciplinary Nature of
Environmental Science

Learning Objective for Lesson 1

1. Discuss the definition, scope and, importance of Environmental
Science in general and to your course
2. Explain the interdisciplinary nature of Environmental Science

Numerous environmental problems such as pollution, global warming,

ozone layer depletion, acid rain, deforestation, and desertification, have
persisted as the primary focus of scientists, policymakers, and the frequent
public across the world. These problems are observed as the major threats to
the Earth's life-supporting environment, thus making our survival on the
planet increasingly unsafe. To tackle these challenges, holistic knowledge
about the working of our life-supporting nature and comprehensive
understanding of the dynamics of these issues become imperative. Since there
is no academic discipline that covers the above two knowledge requirements
fully, environmental science has progressed to fill in the gap.

Our nurturing environment and numerous environmental problems are highly

complex and require interdisciplinary efforts to understand them. Ecological
science, therefore, integrates approaches of different academic disciplines
to fulfill its objectives.

Environmental Science

• Environmental science is a science that incorporates various academic

fields to study the structure and function of our life-supporting
environment. The course exists to understand the causes, effects, and
solutions of different environmental problems.
• As per academicians, environmental science is a methodological study of
the situation that includes the review of all biophysical and anthropogenic
conditions or circumstances under which an organism lives.

Elements of Environment

The environment comprises of the interacting systems of physical, biological,

and cultural elements inter-related in various ways, individually as well as
collectively. These elements are better explained as:

A. The essential life-supporting biophysical environment - includes all the

biophysical entities and the processes that contribute to providing all humans
and other living beings the basic needs of life: oxygen, water, food, and
habitat. The essential life-supporting biophysical environment is
 synonymously coined as - environment, natural environment, biophysical
environment, biosphere, or ecological system.
o Physical elements
Physical elements are water bodies, space, landforms, rocks, climate soils,
and minerals. These elements limit the variable character of the human
habitat, its opportunities as well as limitations.
o Biological elements
Natural elements such as plants, animals, microorganisms, and men
constitute the biosphere.

B. The non-essential life-assisting environment –includes all the entities or

processes that assist human life in various ways. Still, it cannot be considered
essential for the physical survival of life on this planet. It includes social
systems, language, technology, economic system, education, and various
aspects of human civilization. Although we can survive physically, without
these entities, life will be mostly wild or natural. ―Non- essential life-
assisting environment‖ is also known as ―anthropogenic environment,‖
―social environment,‖ ―man-made environment,‖ or ―built environment.‖
o Cultural elements
Cultural elements, such as social, economic, and political elements are
mostly human-made features that make cultural milieu.

Scope of Environmental Science

The principles and strategies of environmental sciences are appropriate in

several areas of development. These areas are the scope of the subject.
Ecological science has a vast scope since it covers a wide range of subject
matters or issues related to our complex life-supporting system. The scope
can be described in terms of significant areas of applicability as well as career
opportunities related to the topic. Three significant areas of applicability of
the issue are
(i) management of natural resources,
(ii) conservation of ecosystem and biodiversity, and
(iii) prevention and control of pollution.

Environmental science plays a crucial role in solving complex environmental

issues of varying scale, including climate change, ozone layer depletion,
energy crisis, desertification, urbanization, population explosion, and so on.

Importance of Environmental Science

Today, the world faces numerous environmental problems, ranging from local
issues such as groundwater depletion to global problems such as climate
change. These problems can be solved only when everyone cares for the
environment; for that, everyone needs to be informed about the causes,
consequences, and remedial measures of different environmental problems.
Ecological science is promoted and taught at various educational levels to
achieve this goal.
The importance of this subject is described in terms of the various objectives
to fulfill saving the environment. The current trend of environmental
degradation can be reversed if people of educated communities are
organized, empowered, and experts are involved in sustainable development.
Environmental factors greatly influence every organism and its activities. So
far, seven such objectives have been identified, and it guides you to:

1. Know how our developmental and day-to-day operations affect the

environment and how we are affected by changes in environmental
conditions.
2. Create a pollution-free environment by adopting different methods of
preventing and controlling pollution.
3. Utilize our natural resources such as water, forest, minerals, and fossil
fuels efficiently, with maximum utility and minimum wastage, by
adopting conservation and recycling strategies.
4. Common public to live an eco-friendly lifestyle by adopting the above
three features: knowing environmental implications of one’s activities,
preventing and controlling pollution, and utilizing the resources
efficiently in day-to-day operations.
5. Industries to operate in an eco-friendly mode by adopting clean and
efficient technologies and installing pollution control systems.
6. Solve complex global environmental problems such as climate change,
ozone-layer depletion, desertification, and energy crisis by using
different interdisciplinary tools and approaches.
7. Entire development process to become sustainable by ensuring equal
distribution of natural resources between present and future
generations and caring for nature in every walk of life in a holistic
manner.

Interdisciplinary Nature of the Subject

Photo by Nguyen-Viet et al. (2009). EcoHealth

Environmental science is the study of all the components or factors that make or
influence our life-supporting biophysical environment, including earth processes,
ecological systems, biodiversity, natural resource, alternative energy systems,
climate change, various types of pollutions, and so on. These entities or processes
are guided by the complex interaction of physical, chemical, and biological
processes and significant human intervention. Therefore, environmental science
integrates information from many other disciplines and thus is multidisciplinary.

Disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, geology, geography, sociology,

economics, management, and ethics are integrated mainly to develop different
subdivisions of environmental science. Its significant branches include ecology,
geosciences, environmental chemistry, atmospheric science, environmental
microbiology, environmental impact assessment, and so on.

Besides these, there are specific subdivisions—environmental studies,

environmental engineering, ecological economics, environmental ethics,
environmental management, environmental sociology, environmental
biotechnology, and so on—that are generally treated as independent academic
disciplines parallel to environmental science. Environmental conservation is the
main emphasis for most of these disciplines, but the approaches vary.

Interdisciplinarity, however, is not novel, and such approaches can be seen as an

evolutionary process. Disciplines are continually changing and evolving. As
knowledge accumulates, subjects grow, and nodes of scientific specialization
occur. Two hypotheses for interdisciplinary developments are therefore possible:

(1) Nodes of specialization lead to divisions in ideology, epistemology, and

methodology. More modern disciplines are, therefore, expected to be more
interdisciplinary.

(2) More extensive disciplines bring with them more opportunity for
interdisciplinary research and are therefore more interdisciplinary
THINK!
1. What is Environment? Discuss the scope of Environment.
2. Describe the importance of environment studies.
3. ―The need for public awareness about environment is of vital
importance. ‖ Discuss.
4. Discuss the various types of environment.
5. Distinguish among environmental science, ecology, and
environmentalism.
6. Explain, ―Environmental Science create bridges on the gaps
of all science‖