Contents INTRODUCTION COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT FOOD CHAIN FOOD WEB HUMAN ACTIVITIES AFFECTING THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT

INTRODUCTION:  The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region.  It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species

COMPONENTS: Biotic Factors Biotic are living factors. Plants, animals, fungi, protist and bacteria are all biotic or living factors. Abiotic Factors Abiotic Factors Abiotic are nonliving factors that affect living organisms. Environmental factors such habitat (pond, lake, ocean, desert, mountain) or weather such as temperature, cloud cover, rain, snow are abiotic factors. Abiotic are nonliving factors that affect living organisms. Environmental factors such habitat (pond, lake, ocean, desert, mountain) or weather such as temperature, cloud cover, rain, snow are abiotic factors.

FOOD CHAIN AND FOOD WEBS  FOOD CHAINS FOLLOW A SINGLE PATH AS ANIMALS EAT EACH OTHER.  EXAMPLE:  THE SUN provides food for GRASS  The GRASS is eaten by a GRASSHOPPER  The GRASSHOPPER is eaten by a FROG  The FROG is eaten by a SNAKE  The SNAKE is eaten by a HAWK.

FOOD CHAIN FOOD CHAIN

FOOD WEBS  FOOD WEBS SHOW HOW PLANTS & ANIMALS ARE INTERCONNECTED BY DIFFERENT PATHS.  EXAMPLE:  TREES produce ACORNS which act as food for many MICE and INSECTS.  Because there are many MICE, WEASELS and SNAKES have food.  The insects and the acorns also attract BIRDS, SKUNKS, and OPOSSUMS.  With the SKUNKS, OPPOSUMS, WEASELS and MICE around, HAWKS, FOXES, and OWLS can find food.  They are all connected! Like a spiders web, if one part is removed, it can affect the whole web.  FOOD WEBS show how plants and animals are connected in many ways to help them all survive. FOOD CHAINS follow just one path of energy as animals find food

FOOD WEB FOOD WEB

DEPLETED OZONE LAYER

OZONE DEPLETION  The ozone layer protects the Earth from the ultraviolet rays sent down by the sun. If the ozone layer is depleted by human action, the effects on the planet could be catastrophic.  Ozone is present in the stratosphere. The stratosphere reaches 30 miles above the Earth, and at the very top it contains ozone. The suns rays are absorbed by the ozone in the stratosphere and thus do not reach the Earth.

 Like an infection that grows more and more virulent, the continent-size hole in Earth's ozone layer keeps getting bigger and bigger.  Each year since the late 1970s, much of the protective layer of stratospheric ozone above Antarctica has disappeared during September, creating what is popularly known as the ozone hole.  The Antarctic hole now measures about 9 million square miles, nearly the size of North America.  Less dramatic, still significant, depletion of ozone levels has been recorded around the globe.  With less ozone in the atmosphere, more ultraviolet radiation strikes Earth, causing more skin cancer, eye damage, and possible harm to crops.

PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the environment, on individual, organizational or governmental levels, for the benefit of the natural environment and (or) humans. Ensure sustainable and equitable use of resources without degrading the environment or risking health or safety Prevent and control degradation of land, water, vegetation and air Conserve and enhance natural and man-made heritage, including biological diversity of unique ecosystems Improve condition and productivity of degraded areas Raise awareness and understanding of the link between environment and development Promote individual and community participation Promote international cooperation