Our Environment Class 10 Notes

The Environment: What is it?

• Our environment refers to the surroundings in which an organism lives and interacts.
• It's a complex system formed by living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors.

Components of the Environment:

• Biotic factors: Living things like plants, animals, humans, and microorganisms.
• Abiotic factors: Non-living things like air, water, soil, sunlight, temperature, wind, and minerals.

Ecosystems:

• An ecosystem is a geographic area where biotic and abiotic factors interact with each other.
• Examples include forests, ponds, oceans, and even your backyard!
• Within an ecosystem, living organisms depend on each other and their non-living environment for survival.

How Living Things Interact:

• Food chain: The transfer of food energy from one organism to another.
• Food web: A network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.
• Trophic levels: The feeding positions in a food chain, like producers (plants), consumers (herbivores, carnivores), and decomposers.

Environmental Issues:

• Human activities can negatively affect our environment. Some key issues include:
  • Ozone depletion: The thinning of the ozone layer, which protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
  • Pollution: Contamination of air, water, and soil with harmful substances.
  • Deforestation: Clearing of forests, leading to loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction.
  • Waste disposal: Improper management of solid and electronic waste.

Remember: We all have a role to play in protecting our environment. By understanding these concepts, you can take steps to make a positive difference.