SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
The Scope of environmental science encompassing all other sciences is quite vast. The study of Environmental science provides a background for understanding the fundamental relationship of natural community from microbes to man and also sciences dealing with specific environment. viz. Agriculture, Aquaculture, Vermiculture, Tissue culture, Limnology, Oceanography, Terrestrial and Forest Ecology, Wetland Ecology, Fisheries Science, Public health, Toxicology, Pollution control, Conservation, Wild life biology, Environmental Education and Awareness, Pest control and Energy both renewable and non renewable.
Three branches of science viz. Life Science, Earth Science and Social science are connected with our nature-together called Environmental Science.
INTERACTION WITH VARIOUS DISCIPLINES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
A more formal multidisciplinary nature of environmental science is found in Environmental impact assessment (EIA).
The Scope of environmental studies or science include population stabilization, Natural Resource Assessment and Management EIA Strategies for Environmental pollution monitoring and control
measures, Human Settlement and public health, Environment laws and Regulation, Media and environment, and Environmental education, Training and Awareness programmes. Time has come when we have to be realistic to make economic planning and environment protection go hand in hand and integrated in the planning process.
IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Environmental science is mission oriented implying that we all have a responsibility towards our planet the Mother Earth and should get involved to do something about the problems we have created. Outdoor activities and natural sciences are important components of environmental education. What is needed is not theoretical pursuit but environmental ethics - a sense of duty to care for and manage wisely our degraded natural resources, for the sustainable utilization- ie to allow the music to continue.
While university classes often tend to be theoretical and abstract many students are discovering they can also learn via hands on experience and undergraduate classroom and field studies programmes. Environmental education and literacy are important if we are to manage all fast vanishing Natural Resources prudently and scientifically for long term sustainability.
COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT
The basic components of the environment are air, water and land. These are the three areas where life sustaining resources of the earth are located.
The environment can be divided into three categories physical, biological and cultural. On the basis of structure, the environment may be divided in two fundamental type.
1. The abiotic or physical environment consisting of air, water and soil/sediment.
2. The biotic or biological environment consisting of flora, fauna and micro-organisms,
On the basis the physical environment is further subdivided into three broad categories.
a) Lithosphere (Sphere of rocks/soil/sediment)
b) Hydrosphere (Sphere of water)
c) Atmosphere (Sphere of gas)
The basic components of the environment consist of plant (flora), micro organisms and animal (fauna), including man as an important component. The biological /biotic environment therefore be further subdivided into:
a) Floral/Plant environment
b) Faunal/Animal environment c) Microbial environment
All the organisms form their social groups and organisations at several levels, constituting the social environment. The organisms derive matter (nutrients) for their sustenance and development from the physical environment. The interconnected processes form the economic environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL SEGMENTS
The word 'environment' (which originates from the French word 'environ' which means surrounding) is defined as the holistic view of the world as it functions at a given point of time, with a multitude of spatial, elemental and socio-economic systems, distinguished by quality and attributes of space and the mode of behaviour of the various abiotic and biotic forms.
The term 'environment was introduced in ecology by the biologist Jacob Van Verkul (1864-1944) to denote the various aspects of the world surroundings with reference to the organisms which inhabit it. The field of environment science involves understanding and analysis of the scientific and engineering principles, economic influences and 4 political actions which affect the environment.
1. Environmental studies is increased with environmental disturbances and the minimisation of their impact through changes in society (Social sciences).
2. Environmental science deals with the study of the processes in water, air, soil and organisms which lead to pollution or environmental damage, and the scientific basics for the establishment of a standard which can be considered acceptably clean, safe and healthy for human beings and the natural ecosystem (Physical and natural sciences).
3. Environmental engineering is the study of the technical process, used to minimize pollution and to assess their impact on the environment. (engineering sciences).
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