Foundation of Environmental Science

Contents: Preface. I. Ecosystem: 1. Definition and concept. 2. Components of ecosystem and their interrelationship. 3. Major types of ecosystem. 4. Ecological niche. 5. Ecological succession. II. Energy Flow: 1. Energy flow through forest ecosystem. 2. Energy flow through aquatic ecosystem. 3. Cycling of inorganic nutrients. 4. Cycling of organic nutrients. 5. Concept of homeostasis. III. Population Ecology: 1. Properties of population. 2. Population growth form. 3. Interaction between organisms. IV. Community Ecology: 1. Biotic community concept. 2. Characteristics of community. 3. Analysis of community structure. V. Biological Diversity in Ecosystem: 1. Definition and concept. 2. Biological valuation of biodiversity. 3. Biodiversity of mangrove ecosystem with special reference to Indian Sundarbans. 4. Conservation of biodiversity. VI. Environmental Pollution: 1. Definition and types of pollutants. 2. Air pollution. 3. Water pollution. 4. Soil pollution. 5. Concept of indicator species. References.

“Although there is an increasing interest on topics like biodiversity conservation, pollution & ecosystem management, there is a wide gap of understanding of different ecological concepts and definitions. The subject of environmental science, has penetrated into the intellectual sectors and scientific communities in the Indian Subcontinent, but its essence has not been sharply felt by the school and college level students, who are the foundation pillars of the nation.

The primary objective of the book is to diffuse the concept of ecology and environment among the student community and emphasize the need for conservation. Through this book various environmental phenomena like energy flow, energy wastage, ecological succession, biogeochemical cycles have been explained in a lucid way. In many cases, Indian examples have been highlighted so that the readers can grasp the subject easily.

The chapters in the book have been written in very simple language with application of preliminary mathematics so that the concept can be digested by the readers.

Some important regulations were passed by the Supreme Court of India (on 31st December, 1996) to ban the semi-intensive method of shrimp culture in the coastal zone of the country have also been discussed in the chapter “Threats to Ecosystem’ to update the readers regarding the approach of the Government towards conservation and healthy environment. The list of references added at the end of the book may serve as pathfinder for interested students who wish to build career in environmental science.”