Environment Chapter Notes | Social Studies (SST) Class 7 PDF Download

"Imagine everything around you: your school, the park, the road, the animals, and even the air you breathe. All these elements make up our environment. In this chapter, we’ll explore what the environment is, how it is divided into natural and human-made components, and the vital role ecosystems play in maintaining balance on our planet."

What is Environment?

Environment refers to everything that surrounds us. It includes the place, people, things, and nature around any living organism. The environment is a combination of natural and human-made phenomena.

• Natural Environment: This includes all naturally occurring elements around us, like land, water, air, plants, and animals. It encompasses both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) conditions.  Land, water, air, plants, and animals comprise the natural environment. Everything around us that is natural and not made by humans is a part of the natural environment.
• Human Environment: This involves human activities, creations, and interactions. It includes roads, buildings, and other structures made by people.

Domains of Natural Environment

• Land, water, air, plants, and animals  make up the natural environment. 
•  You already know what the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere are from your previous class. 
•  Let's explore some additional interesting facts about these areas.

Natural Environment consists of various domains, each playing a crucial role. Lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere are the four domains of the natural environment

Domains of Natural Environment

1. Lithosphere

• The lithosphere is the solid crust or the hard-top layer of the earth. 
• It is made up of rocks and minerals and covered by a thin layer of soil.
• It features varied landforms like mountains, plateaus, and plains, present on continents and ocean floors.
• The lithosphere sustains forests, grasslands, agricultural land, human settlements, and mineral resources.

Lithosphere

2. Hydrosphere

• The hydrosphere encompasses various water sources and types of water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans.
• It is vital for the existence of all living organisms.

Hydrosphere

3. Atmosphere

• The atmosphere is the thin layer of air enveloping the earth, held in place by the earth's gravitational force.
• It shields us from the sun's harmful rays and intense heat.
• Comprised of multiple gases, dust particles, and water vapour, the atmosphere plays a crucial role in regulating weather and climate.

4. Biosphere

• The biosphere, or the living world, is formed by the collective presence of plant and animal species.
• It represents a narrow zone on Earth where the interactions among land, water, and air create conditions suitable for supporting life.

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What is an Ecosystem? 

It is a system formed by the interaction of all living organisms with each other and with the physical and chemical factors of the environment in which they live, all linked by the transfer of energy and material.

• Ecosystems are the foundation of the ‘Biosphere’ and maintain the natural balance of the earth. 
• All plants, animals, and human beings depend on their immediate surroundings. Often, they are also interdependent on each other. 
• This relationship between living organisms and their surroundings forms an ecosystem.

Do you know?

On 5 June every year the World Environment Day is celebrated.

Human Environment

Interaction Between Humans and the Environment

Human beings interact with their environment and modify it to meet their needs. In the beginning, early humans adapted to their natural surroundings, leading a simple life and fulfilling their requirements from the resources available around them. Over time, as needs became more varied and complex, humans learned new ways to use and change their environment.

Evolution of Human Interaction with the Environment

1. Adaptation: Early humans adapted to their natural surroundings, living a simple life and relying on nature for their needs.
2. Innovation: With time, humans learned to grow crops, domesticate animals, and lead a settled life.
3. Technological Advancements: The invention of the wheel, production of surplus food, emergence of the barter system, and the start of trade and commerce marked significant advancements.
4. Industrial Revolution: This period enabled large-scale production and faster transportation.
5. Information Revolution: Made communication easier and faster across the globe.

Balance Between Natural and Human Environment

There is a necessary balance between the natural and human environment. For instance, seasonal foods like juicy watermelons in summer and hot roasted peanuts in winter illustrate this balance. Humans must learn to live in harmony with their environment, using it in a sustainable way.

Nurie, a girl from Mizoram in Ravi’s class, often shares stories about the lush green surroundings of her home state. When Ravi felt upset about losing his playground, Nurie invited him to visit her home during the upcoming vacation. Inspired by this, Ravi’s teacher encouraged the students to draw the landscapes, houses, and activities of the people and places they visit during their holidays.

• Historical Developments: The wheel was invented, surplus food was produced, the barter system emerged, trade started, and commerce developed.
• Industrial and Information Revolutions: The Industrial Revolution enabled large-scale production. Transportation became faster.  The information revolution made communication easier and speedy across the world.

To maintain a perfect balance, humans need to use the environment in a harmonious way. Over time, our increasing needs have led to modifications and sometimes even destruction of natural surroundings.

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Some important terms

Ecosystem: It is a system formed by the interaction of all living organisms with each other and with the physical and chemical factors of the environment in which they live, all linked by transfer of energy and material.

Barter System: It is a trade in which goods are exchanged without the use of money.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1. What is an ecosystem?

Ans:  Plants, animals, and human beings depend on their immediate surroundings. They are often interdependent on each other as well. These relations of dependence and interdependence together constitute an ecosystem.
In other words, an ecosystem is a system formed as a result of the interactions of all living organisms with each other and with the physical and chemical factors of the environment in which they live.

Q.2. What is lithosphere?

Ans: The Lithosphere (or the domain of land) is the solid crust or the hard top layer of the Earth. It is made up of rocks and minerals and is covered by a thin layer of soil. It is an irregular surface with various landforms such as mountains, plateaus, plains, and valleys. 

Q.3. What is Environment?

Ans: The surroundings in which we live form the environment. It is the basic life support system having natural and man-made components. 

• The people, the place, the things, nature, and the living organisms that surround us are called the environment.
• It is a combination of natural and human-made phenomena.
• The natural environment refers to both biotic and abiotic conditions existing on the earth.
• The human environment reveals the activities, creations, and interactions among human beings.