Our Environment Notes | Study Social Studies (SST) Class 7 - Class 7

What is Environment?

Environment means the place, people, things and nature that surround any living organism. It is a combination of natural and human-made phenomena. 

• While the natural environment refers to both biotic and abiotic conditions existing on the earth, human-environment reveals the activities, creations, and interactions among human beings.
  Domains of Our Environment

Natural Environment

The natural environment comprises of biotic and abiotic conditions, whereas the man-made phenomena comprise the activities and interactions among human beings.

Everything around us that is natural and not made by humans is a part of the natural environment.

(i) Land, water, air, plants, and animals comprise the natural environment.

(ii) Lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere are the four domains of the natural environment.

Explanation of Domains of the Environment:
Lithosphere

The lithosphere is the domain that provides us forests, grasslands, land for human agriculture, and settlements. 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.

Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere comprises various sources of water and different types of water bodies like rivers, lakes, seas, oceans, etc. It is essential for all living organisms.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the thin layer of air that surrounds the earth. It protects us from the harmful rays and scorching heat of the sun. It consists of a number of gases, dust, and water vapor. The changes in the atmosphere produce changes in the weather and climate.
Biosphere

The biosphere is a narrow zone of the earth where land, water, and air interact with each other to support life. 

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.

• An 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 relation between the living organisms, as well as the relation between the organisms and their surroundings, form an ecosystem.

Human Environment

• Human beings interact with the environment and modify it according to their needs.
• The wheel was invented, surplus food was produced, the barter system emerged, trade started and commerce developed.
• The industrial revolution enabled large-scale production. Transportation became faster. Information revolution made communication easier and speedy across the world.
• A perfect balance is necessary between the natural and human environment.
• The environment is changing because of our increasing needs due to which we are modifying and sometimes even destroying our natural surroundings.
• Humans must learn to thrive and use their environment in a harmonious way.

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: 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?

The surrounding in which we live form 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 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.