Meaning and Functions of Environment

Environment meaning

Environment can be defined as a sum total of all the living and non-living elements and their effects that influence human life. While all living or biotic elements are animals, plants, forests, fisheries, and birds, non-living or abiotic elements include water, land, sunlight, rocks, and air.

Environment functions

(1) Provides the supply of resources

•       The environment offers resources for production.
•       It includes both renewable and non-renewable resources.
•       Examples: Wood for furniture, soil, land, etc.

(2) Sustains life

•       The environment includes the sun, soil, water, and air, which are essential for human life.
•       It sustains life by providing genetic and biodiversity.

(3) Assimilates waste

•       Production and consumption activities generate waste.
•       This occurs mostly in the form of garbage.
•       The environment helps in getting rid of the garbage.

(4) Enhances the quality of life

•       The environment enhances the quality of life.
•       Human beings enjoy the beauty of nature that includes rivers, mountains, deserts, etc.
•       These add to the quality of life.

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What are the Types of Resources?

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Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

(1) Renewable resources

•       Renewable resources are the resources that can never be exhausted or depleted with continuous use.
•       There remains a continuous supply of renewable resources.
•       Examples: Water, trees, etc.

(2) Non-renewable resources

•       Non-renewable resources are the resources that get exhausted with their extraction and use.
•       Examples: Coal, petroleum, iron ore, etc.

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Solved Questions:

Q 1. Differentiate the following into renewable and non-renewable resources. (I) Trees (Ii) Fish (Iii) Petroleum (Iv) Coal (V) Iron ore (Vi) Water (NCERT)
Answer:
(I) Trees	Renewable resource
(II) Fish	Renewable resource
(III) Petroleum	Non-renewable resource
(IV) Coal	Non-renewable resource
(V) Iron ore	Non-renewable resource
(VI) Water	Renewable resource

 

Q 2. What does the environment include?

Answer:

ENVIRONMENT