Revision: Environmental Management Science and Technology 2 SSC (English Medium) 10th Standard Maharashtra State Board

Biodiversity is the richness of living organisms in nature due to the presence of varieties of organisms, ecosystems and genetic variations within a species.

The richness of living organisms in nature due to the presence of varieties of organisms, ecosystems, and genetic variations within a species is called biodiversity.

The variation among individuals of the same species, such as differences seen in human beings, is called genetic diversity.

The presence of innumerable species of organisms in nature, including various types of plants, animals, and microbes, is called species diversity.

The existence of different ecosystems formed through interactions between organisms, their habitat, and environmental changes is called ecosystem diversity.

Regions of the Earth that are extremely rich in species, especially endemic species, and are under severe threat of habitat loss are called biodiversity hotspots.

1. An ecosystem includes all living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components in an area that interact with each other.
2. Producers like green plants and certain bacteria make food through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.
3. Consumers depend on producers for food and are classified as herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and parasites.
4. Decomposers such as bacteria, fungi, and insects break down dead matter and waste, recycling nutrients and maintaining soil fertility.
5. Even dirty or unnoticed organisms (like caterpillars, termites, and dung insects) play a vital role in cleaning the environment and supporting the ecosystem.

1. Environment includes all physical, chemical, and biological factors that affect living organisms, and is divided into natural and artificial environments.
2. Biotic and abiotic components interact continuously in the environment, and their study is known as ecology.
3. An ecosystem is the basic functional unit of ecology, consisting of biotic and abiotic factors interacting in a defined area.
4. Natural cycles like the water cycle, carbon cycle, and nitrogen cycle help maintain environmental balance.
5. Humans must preserve nature and maintain ecological balance, as Earth is a shared responsibility for current and future generations.

1. Environmental pollution is caused by unnatural changes in air, water, or soil due to human actions like industrialization, deforestation, and overuse of resources.
2. Humans, being intelligent and resourceful, have heavily exploited nature; now, it is their responsibility to restore environmental balance.
3. Public awareness is essential, as many harmful actions toward the environment happen unknowingly.
4. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 restricts forest land use without central government permission; violation can lead to 15 days imprisonment.
5. The Environmental Protection Act, 1986 and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 enforce limits on pollution and ban trade/use of rare wild animals, with strict penalties for violations.

1. Jadav Molai Payeng, a forest worker from Assam, began planting trees at the age of 16 after witnessing the death of snakes due to floods.
2. He continued tree planting even after a government project ended, eventually converting 1360 acres of barren land into forest over 30 years.
3. His dedication earned him the Padma Shri award, and the forest is now famously known as ‘Molai Jungle’.