Environmental Science and Ecology

Climax community and dynamic equilibrium

  1. A climax community represents the final and stable stage of ecological succession.
  2. It is characterized by a state of dynamic equilibrium, where the ecosystem remains relatively stable over time.
  3. The composition of a climax community is determined by the region's climate, soil, and topography.
  4. In a climax community, the species diversity is high, and ecological interactions are balanced.
  5. It represents the most mature and stable form of an ecosystem.
  6. The process le

Primary and secondary succession

  1. Ecological succession is the natural process by which ecosystems develop and change over time.
  2. It involves the gradual replacement of one biotic community by another in a particular area.
  3. Succession is a response to changes in environmental conditions, disturbances, or colonization of new areas.
  4. Two main types of succession are primary succession and secondary succession.
  5. Primary succession occurs in areas where there was no previous life, such as on bar

Water cycle

  1. The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.
  2. It is a crucial biogeochemical cycle that sustains life by redistributing water across different ecosystems.
  3. The water cycle involves key processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff.
  4. Evaporation is the process where water changes

Phosphorus cycle

  1. The phosphorus cycle describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
  2. Unlike other biogeochemical cycles, the phosphorus cycle does not include a significant gaseous phase.
  3. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all living organisms, as it is a critical component of DNA, RNA, and ATP.
  4. The primary source of phosphorus is phosphate rocks, which release pho

Nitrogen cycle

  1. The nitrogen cycle describes the movement of nitrogen between the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.
  2. Nitrogen is an essential element for all living organisms, as it is a major component of proteins and nucleic acids.
  3. The atmosphere contains about 78% nitrogen, but it is mostly in an inert form (N₂) that cannot be used directly by most organisms.
  4. Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into usable forms such a

Carbon cycle

  1. The carbon cycle is a crucial biogeochemical cycle that governs the movement of carbon among the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
  2. Carbon is an essential element found in all living organisms and is a major component of organic molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
  3. The two main types of carbon cycles are the short-term carbon cycle and the long-term carbon cycle.
  4. The short-term cycle involves the

Community ecology: Succession, interactions (predation, competition)

  1. Community ecology focuses on the interactions and relationships among different species living in a shared environment.
  2. A community is a group of different species living together and interacting within a defined area.
  3. Succession refers to the natural and gradual process of change in species composition in a community over time.
  4. Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas where no soil exists initially, such as after a volcanic eruption.
  5. Secondary succession occurs in ar

Population ecology: Characteristics and growth models

  1. Population ecology studies the dynamics of populations, their size, density, distribution, and interactions with the environment.
  2. A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area at a specific time.
  3. Population density refers to the number of individuals per unit area or volume.
  4. Population distribution can be uniform, random, or clumped based on environmental factors and species behavior.
  5. The age structure of a population indicates the

Concept of habitat and niche

  1. A habitat is the physical environment where an organism lives, while a niche is the functional role of an organism in its ecosystem.
  2. The habitat is defined by abiotic factors like soil, water, temperature, and light.
  3. A niche includes the organism's interactions with other species, such as competition, predation, and symbiosis.
  4. The fundamental niche is the potential range of conditions an organism can occupy without competition.
  5. The realized niche is the

Role of NDMA in India

  1. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was established in 2005 under the Disaster Management Act.
  2. It is the apex body for disaster management in India.
  3. The primary aim of NDMA is to build a safer and disaster-resilient India.
  4. NDMA is chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
  5. It formulates policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management.
  6. The NDMA emphasizes a proactive approach to disaster prevent
Environmental Science and Ecology