Grade 10 Q&A: Chapter 14: Environmental Management

Concept Questions

Q1: What is an ecosystem?

Answer: An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (biotic components) interacting with their non-living environment (abiotic components) as a system.

Q2: Name the two main components of an ecosystem.

Answer: The two main components of an ecosystem are biotic components (living organisms) and abiotic components (non-living physical and chemical factors).

Q3: Give an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem.

Answer: An example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem is sunlight, water, or soil.

Q4: What is a 'food chain'?

Answer: A food chain describes the feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy is transferred from one living organism to another.

Q5: What is 'ecology'?

Answer: Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment; it considers how these interactions shape the distribution and abundance of organisms.

Q6: What is 'environmental conservation'?

Answer: Environmental conservation refers to the protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments and ecological systems, including wildlife and natural resources.

Q7: List two types of pollution.

Answer: Two types of pollution are air pollution and water pollution.

Q8: What is 'biodiversity'?

Answer: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and encompasses the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life.

Q9: Name the three levels of biodiversity.

Answer: The three levels of biodiversity are genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Q10: What are 'sacred groves'?

Answer: Sacred groves are patches of forest or natural vegetation that are protected by local communities due to religious or cultural beliefs, serving as traditional conservation sites.

Q11: What is a 'hotspot' in the context of biodiversity?

Answer: A hotspot in the context of biodiversity is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.

Q12: Name two categories of threatened species.

Answer: Two categories of threatened species are endangered species and vulnerable species.

Q13: What is the primary cause of environmental degradation today?

Answer: The primary cause of environmental degradation today is human activities, including industrialization, urbanization, deforestation, and pollution.

Application-Based Questions

Q14: Explain the difference between a food chain and a food web.

Answer: A food chain is a linear sequence showing how energy is transferred as organisms feed on one another (e.g., grass -> deer -> tiger). A food web, on the other hand, is a more complex and realistic representation that consists of multiple interconnected food chains, showing the various feeding relationships within an ecosystem where organisms often have multiple food sources and predators.

Q15: How do human activities contribute to air pollution and its impact on the environment?

Answer: Human activities contribute to air pollution primarily through the burning of fossil fuels (vehicles, industries, power plants), agricultural practices (ammonia emissions), and industrial processes. This releases harmful gases (CO₂, SO₂, NOₓ) and particulate matter, leading to respiratory diseases, acid rain, smog, and global warming, severely impacting environmental health.

Q16: Discuss the importance of 'social responsibility' in environmental conservation.

Answer: Social responsibility is crucial for environmental conservation because it emphasizes the collective duty of individuals, communities, and organizations to protect the environment. It involves adopting sustainable practices, reducing ecological footprints, advocating for environmental policies, and participating in conservation efforts, recognizing that environmental health is a shared concern for present and future generations.

Q17: Describe how 'ecosystem diversity' contributes to the overall stability of an environment.

Answer: Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of ecosystems (e.g., forests, grasslands, wetlands) within a region. It contributes to environmental stability by providing a wider range of habitats and ecological processes. A diverse array of ecosystems ensures that if one ecosystem is disturbed, others can still function, maintaining overall ecological balance, resilience, and the provision of essential ecosystem services.

Q18: How can the proper management of solid waste contribute to environmental management?

Answer: Proper management of solid waste (e.g., through reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and safe disposal in landfills) contributes significantly to environmental management. It reduces land pollution, prevents contamination of water bodies, minimizes greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing waste, conserves natural resources by recycling materials, and reduces the need for new landfills, thus protecting ecosystems and public health.

Q19: Explain why 'radioactive pollution' is considered particularly dangerous.

Answer: Radioactive pollution is considered particularly dangerous because radioactive materials emit ionizing radiation that can cause severe damage to living tissues and DNA, leading to cancer, genetic mutations, and birth defects. These materials have very long half-lives, meaning they remain hazardous for thousands or even millions of years, posing a long-term threat to the environment and future generations, and are difficult to contain and dispose of safely.

Higher-Order Thinking Questions

Q20: "Today's students are future citizens of the country." How does this statement relate to environmental management?

Answer: This statement directly relates to environmental management because today's students will inherit the environmental challenges and opportunities of the future. Educating them about environmental issues, sustainable practices, and conservation principles empowers them to become responsible citizens who can make informed decisions, innovate solutions, advocate for change, and actively participate in protecting and managing the environment for their generation and beyond. Their actions will determine the ecological health of the nation.

Q21: Discuss the role of international organizations in global environmental conservation efforts. Provide an example.

Answer: International organizations play a vital role in global environmental conservation by facilitating cooperation, setting international standards, conducting research, providing funding, and raising awareness about transboundary environmental issues. They help coordinate efforts that single nations cannot address alone, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. An example is the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which promotes sustainable development and coordinates environmental activities within the UN system, influencing global environmental policy and action.

Q22: How does the concept of 'ecological succession' relate to environmental management and restoration?

Answer: Ecological succession is the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time. In environmental management, understanding succession helps in planning restoration efforts for degraded ecosystems. For instance, knowing the natural successional stages of a forest allows conservationists to introduce appropriate pioneer species and manage the environment to guide it towards a desired climax community, rather than simply planting random species. It enables more effective rehabilitation of areas affected by pollution, deforestation, or natural disasters.

Q23: Explain how the 'tragedy of the commons' applies to environmental resource depletion and how environmental management aims to mitigate it.

Answer: The 'tragedy of the commons' describes a situation where individuals, acting independently and rationally according to their own self-interest, deplete a shared resource, even when it is not in anyone's long-term interest. For example, overfishing in international waters or excessive deforestation of shared forests. Environmental management aims to mitigate this by implementing regulations, quotas, property rights, international agreements, and public education to encourage sustainable use, promote collective responsibility, and prevent the depletion of shared resources for the benefit of all.

Q24: Discuss the interconnectedness of 'genetic diversity', 'species diversity', and 'ecosystem diversity' in maintaining a healthy environment.

Answer: These three levels of diversity are deeply interconnected and crucial for a healthy environment: * *Genetic Diversity:* Variation within a species allows it to adapt to changing environments and resist diseases. * *Species Diversity:* The variety of different species in an ecosystem provides resilience; if one species declines, others can fill its ecological role. It also offers a wider range of ecosystem services. * **Ecosystem Diversity:** The variety of habitats and ecological processes ensures that different environmental conditions are supported, providing a broad range of services and allowing for the evolution and survival of diverse species. Loss at any level can cascade through the others, weakening the entire system. For instance, reduced genetic diversity makes a species vulnerable, leading to species loss, which in turn impacts the functioning and resilience of the entire ecosystem.

Q25: Propose three practical steps a local community can take to conserve biodiversity in their area.

Answer: Three practical steps a local community can take to conserve biodiversity are: 1. **Establish and Protect Local Green Spaces:** Create and maintain community gardens, urban parks, or small nature reserves. This provides habitats for local flora and fauna, and serves as educational sites. 2. **Promote Native Plant Species:** Encourage residents to plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers in their gardens and public areas. Native plants support local pollinators and wildlife, and are better adapted to the local climate, requiring less water and maintenance. 3. **Implement Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs:** Reduce pollution by minimizing waste that could harm habitats and wildlife. Effective recycling conserves resources, reducing the need for extraction that can destroy natural areas. This also includes proper disposal of hazardous waste to prevent soil and water contamination.

References

1. MSBSHSE Class 10 Science and Technology Textbook Part 2 (2021-22 English) - Chapter 4: Environmental Management
2. Maharashtra State Board 10th Standard Science Syllabus 2025-26
3. Balbharati Science and Technology Part 2 Textbook
4. Shaalaa.com Balbharati solutions for Science and Technology 2