Environmental chemistry is the scientific field that explores biochemical and chemical processes within the Earth's ecosystems. It involves the study of the origin, reactions, effects, and transport of various chemical species in the environment.
The Earth's atmosphere is structured into layers based on temperature variation, each with distinct characteristics and properties. These layers, from the lowest to the highest, are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
Understanding the structure of the Earth's atmosphere is essential for studying atmospheric phenomena, weather patterns, and the interactions between the Earth and space. Each layer plays a critical role in regulating the planet's climate and supporting life on Earth.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified six pollutants as "criteria" air pollutants due to their significant impact on human health and the environment. These pollutants are regulated based on established criteria aimed at protecting public health and welfare. These six pollutants are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, particle pollution (often referred to as particulate matter), and sulfur oxides.
A botanical garden is a dedicated space for the cultivation and study of living plants, serving educational and research purposes in the field of botany. Botanical gardens stand as living repositories of plant diversity, contributing to scientific advancements, conservation efforts, and public awareness of the botanical world. Botanical gardens play a crucial role in ex situ conservation of biodiversity. Ex situ conservation involves the conservation of biological diversity outside the natural habitats.
Conservation of biological diversity is crucial for maintaining essential ecological diversity and preserving the continuity of food chains. There are two modes of Conservation of biodiversity as follows: (a) Ex-situ Conservation: Involves protecting threatened species outside their natural habitat, e.g., zoos, botanical gardens, and seed banks.
(b) In-situ Conservation: On-site conservation within natural populations of plant or animal species, e.g., national parks, sanctuaries, and reserved forests.
In-situ conservation means protecting plants and animals in their natural environment. Instead of moving them to a zoo or garden, we safeguard their habitats, like forests and wetlands. Examples of In-situ conservation are national parks, Sacred Groves (SG), Biosphere Reserves, and Wildlife Sanctuaries etc.This way, they can live and grow naturally, helping to maintain a healthy balance in nature and preventing the loss of diverse species.
Sacred groves comprise of patches of forests or natural vegetation – from a few trees to forests of several acres – that are usually dedicated to local folk deities. These spaces are protected by local communities be- cause of their religious beliefs and traditional rituals that run through several generations.
The Black-necked crane thrives in the Tibetan and trans-Himalayan region, migrating to milder areas of the Indian Himalayas in winter. India's diverse forests host Flying Squirrels, while the endangered Snow Leopard resides in the Himalayan ranges. Unfortunately, the cheetah, once present, is now extinct due to historical hunting. Therefore the correct options are: 1, 3, and 4 only.
Arunachal Pradesh stands out as the ideal state for cultivating a diverse range of orchids with minimal production costs, holding the potential for establishing an export-oriented industry. Orchids, known for their decorative blooms, thrive in regions characterized by moderate climatic conditions, such as sub-tropical areas with ample rainfall. Particularly common in the North-Eastern states, Arunachal Pradesh's ecological conditions and climate variations make it a paradise for orchids, earning the state the well-deserved title of the Orchid State of India.
Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains. Oryx inhabits deserts and dry plains in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula whereas Chiru resides in the high alpine steppes of the Tibetan Plateau, adapted to cold and semi-desert areas.
