Assignment Code: MSD-012/TMA/2023

Course Code: MSD-012

Assignment Name: Ecosystem and Natural Resources

Year: 2023

Verification Status: Verified by Professor

Answer all the questions. All questions carry 25 marks each.

Q1) Why decomposition is the key to proper functioning of ecosystem? Explain.

Ans) Decomposition is a key aspect of the functioning of ecosystems because it helps to recycle nutrients and return them to the soil. This process is essential for the growth and survival of plants, which form the base of the food chain. Decomposition also helps to break down dead organic matter, such as leaves and dead animals, preventing the accumulation of excess organic material in an ecosystem. Decomposition is carried out by decomposers such as bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, which break down complex organic molecules into simple inorganic substances that can be reused by other organisms. The continuous recycling of nutrients and the breaking down of dead organic matter are essential to maintaining the balance and stability of ecosystems.

Decomposition is a vital process in the functioning of ecosystems, and it is considered the key to a properly functioning ecosystem for several reasons.

Recycling of Nutrients: Decomposition is the process by which dead organic matter, such as plants and animals, is broken down into simpler compounds that can be re-used by other organisms. This process recycles essential nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, back into the ecosystem, making them available to other living organisms. Without decomposition, these essential nutrients would remain locked in dead organic matter, leading to a nutrient-deficient ecosystem.

Energy Transfer: Decomposition also helps in the transfer of energy from one organism to another in the food chain. When decomposers break down dead organic matter, they release energy that is then used by other organisms in the ecosystem, including predators and herbivores. This transfer of energy ensures that energy is continuously flowing within the ecosystem, supporting the survival and growth of all organisms.

Soil Formation: Decomposition is also crucial in the formation of soil. As decomposers break down dead organic matter, they produce humus, a dark, rich soil that provides a vital source of nutrients and structure to support plant growth. Soil formation is an essential process for supporting the growth of crops, forests, and other vegetation, making it possible for life to thrive in an ecosystem.

Waste Management: Decomposition also serves as a natural waste management system, breaking down waste products and reducing their impact on the environment. Without decomposition, waste would accumulate, leading to pollution and other environmental problems. Decomposition helps to maintain a clean and healthy ecosystem by breaking down waste products into their constituent parts, which are then re-absorbed into the environment.

Maintaining Biodiversity: Decomposition plays a critical role in maintaining biodiversity in an ecosystem. By breaking down dead organic matter, decomposers create new habitats for other species, including microorganisms, insects, and animals. This new habitat provides a diverse range of organisms with the resources they need to survive, promoting biodiversity and the stability of the ecosystem.

Decomposition is a vital process that helps ecosystems work by recycling essential nutrients, transferring energy, forming soil, managing waste, and maintaining biodiversity. Without decomposition, the ecosystem would become unstable, leading to environmental problems and the decline of life in the ecosystem. Hence, it is crucial to protect and conserve decomposers and the habitats they depend on, to ensure a healthy and functioning ecosystem.

Q2) Define soil fertility. What are the major categories of soil available in India? Briefly explain.

Ans) Soil fertility is a crucial aspect of agriculture, determining the ability of the soil to provide essential nutrients for plant growth. Fertile soil is abundant in nutrients and can maintain an appropriate balance of water and other elements that are necessary for plant growth. A fertile soil results in healthy and robust plants, which are less susceptible to pest attacks and damage. The productivity of land is not only dependent on soil fertility but is also influenced by other factors such as weather conditions, presence of pests and diseases, genetic potential of crops, and effective land management.

Soil fertility is determined by the chemical and biological properties of the soil, while soil quality encompasses a wider range of soil characteristics and is defined as the soil's ability to function within an ecosystem and sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote the health of plants and animals.

A fertile soil results in healthy and robust plants, which are less susceptible to pest attacks and damage. The productivity of land is not only dependent on soil fertility but is also influenced by other factors such as weather conditions, presence of pests and diseases, genetic potential of crops, and effective land management.

Soil fertility is determined by the chemical and biological properties of the soil, while soil quality encompasses a wider range of soil characteristics and is defined as the soil's ability to function within an ecosystem and sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote the health of plants and animals. India is home to a diverse range of soil types, with each type best suited to a specific region. 

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has studied eight types of Indian soil: alluvial, black, red, laterite, forest and mountain, arid and desert, saline and alkaline, and peaty and marshy. India has 24% alluvial soil. From Punjab to West Bengal, they inhabit much of the Indo-Gangetic Plains. They live in the Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi, Godavari, and Cauvery valleys. Water and fertilise fine sediment soils. They benefit wheat, sugarcane, rice, cotton, oilseeds, kharif, and rabi crops. They grow jute well in the delta.

India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh depend on alluvial soils. Black cotton soils cover 16% of the land. These soils are made from fractured lava rocks. Cotton soil/Regur soil has lots of lime, iron, magnesium, and alumina but not enough phosphorus, nitrogen, or organic matter. Thus, cotton, grains, pulses, oil seeds, citrus fruits, vegetables, and other crops flourish well.

Topography, temperature, and geology determine India's soil diversity. Red soil covers 16% of India, mostly in Chhota Nagpur plateau, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Iron makes these soils crimson. Weathered igneous rocks form them. Millets, beans, linseed, tobacco, etc. thrive in red soil.

Approximately 4% of India's land is made up of laterite soil, which is characterized by high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and alternating wet and dry conditions. These soils are primarily found in higher regions with abundant rainfall and are typically less fertile due to leaching of the topsoil. Laterite soils are ideal for growing crops like tea, coffee, rubber, cinchona, and coconut.

About 11% of the land in India is comprised of dry and sandy soils, which are commonly found in arid regions such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana. These soils are heavily influenced by desert conditions and are dominated by a thin layer of sand, making them unsuitable for growing most crops. However, crops like Jowar, bajara, cotton, etc. can grow well in these coarse soils.

Forest and mountain soils, which are rich in humus but deficient in essential minerals like potash, phosphorous, and lime, make up a significant portion of India's land area. These soils are mostly found in the valley basins, slopes, and depressions of the Himalayas and on higher hills in the southern peninsula. These soils are best suited for growing tea, coffee, spices, tropical fruits and vegetables, and coffee plantations, but they require fertilization to enhance their fertility.

Lastly, saline, and alkaline soils, which are rich in salts and alkalis, make up a small portion of India's land area. These soils are unsuitable for farming due to the high levels of sodium, magnesium, and calcium, and are primarily found in areas with abundant water and organic matter. In conclusion, India's soil diversity plays a significant role in determining the types of crops that can be grown in different regions, and the suitability of the soil for agriculture is a crucial factor in ensuring food security in the country.

Q3) What is mineral deposit? Explain the different types and grouping of mineral resources.

Ans) A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance that forms through geological processes and has a unique chemical composition, a highly ordered atomic structure, and certain physical properties. Minerals can be made up of anything from pure elements and simple salts to very complicated silicates and thousands of other forms. Mineralogy is the study of minerals.

Mineral deposit refers to an accumulation of minerals in a specific area that have commercial value and can be mined for extraction. These deposits can be found in various forms such as veins, lodes, stocks, and masses of rock. The minerals found in a deposit can be single or multiple, and the size and richness of the deposit vary depending on geological conditions.

A mineral becomes a mineral deposit through the process of mineralization. This process involves the precipitation of minerals from hot water solutions that are circulating in the Earth's crust. The minerals precipitate and settle in pockets, fractures, or fissures in the rock, forming a mineral deposit. Some of the factors that influence mineralization include the chemical composition of the hot water solutions, the pressure and temperature conditions in the Earth's crust, and the presence of favourable geological structures such as faults and fractures.

Mineral deposits play a crucial role in the global economy as they provide raw materials for various industries such as construction, manufacturing, and electronics. The formation of mineral deposits is a complex process that involves geological conditions, temperature, and pressure changes, and the presence of favourable geological structures.

Mineral resources are naturally occurring substances that are mined and processed for use in various industries. They are essential for the functioning of modern society, as they are used to produce a wide range of products, from necessities like food and shelter, to luxury goods like jewellery and high-tech gadgets. There are many different types of mineral resources, each with its own unique properties and uses.

Metallic minerals, which are minerals that contain metal elements. These minerals include copper, iron, lead, nickel, silver, and zinc, among others. They are used in a variety of industries, including construction, transportation, and electronics. For example, copper is used to produce electrical wire and pipes, while iron is used to make steel, which is used in construction and transportation.

Non-metallic minerals, which are minerals that do not contain metal elements. These minerals include asbestos, barite, feldspar, limestone, and talc, among others. Non-metallic minerals are used in a variety of industries, including agriculture, ceramics, and cosmetics. For example, talc is used in cosmetics and paint, while feldspar is used in the production of glass.

Energy minerals, which are minerals that are used to produce energy. These minerals include coal, oil, and natural gas, among others. Energy minerals are used to generate electricity and power vehicles, among other things. For example, coal is used to produce electricity, while oil is used to fuel vehicles and other machinery.

Gemstones are minerals that are used for decorative purposes. These minerals include diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, among others. Gemstones are used to produce jewellery and other decorative items. For example, diamonds are used to produce engagement rings and other jewellery, while emeralds are used to produce necklaces and other decorative items.

Mineral resources have two main categories: renewable and non-renewable. Renewable mineral resources are those that can be replenished over time, such as biomass and geothermal energy. Non-renewable mineral resources, on the other hand, are those that cannot be replenished over time and will eventually run out, such as coal and oil.

Another way to group them is based on their origin. There are two main types of mineral resources based on their origin: primary and secondary. Primary mineral resources are those that are found in the earth's crust and are extracted directly from the ground, such as gold and iron. Secondary mineral resources, on the other hand, are those that are derived from primary mineral resources and are processed to produce a usable product, such as refined oil and processed metals.

Mineral resources can also be grouped based on their location. There are two main types of mineral resources based on their location: domestic and foreign. Domestic mineral resources are those that are found and extracted within a country's borders, while foreign mineral resources are those that are found and extracted in another country. Domestic mineral resources are often preferred over foreign mineral resources due to concerns about national security and the control of natural resources.

To conclude it can be classified into two main categories- metallic and non-metallic. Metallic minerals include iron, copper, gold, and silver and Non-metallic minerals include sulphur, phosphorus, and halite. They can also be grouped based on their availability and economic value as base, precious, and energy minerals. Mineral resources play a crucial role in economic development and are essential for modern industries.

Q4) Define agrobiodiversity. Discuss the role of agrobiodiversity in achieving food security in India.

Ans) Agrobiodiversity is the range of biological creatures involved in food production. Agrobiodiversity encompasses farmland and non-farmland biodiversity. Both types of biodiversity benefit farming and regulate ecosystems. The production of food, fuel, and fibres in agricultural landscapes via agrobiodiversity is the foundation of human civilisation. These services underpin economic progress for most of the world. In 2005, FAO estimated 852 million people were hungry. 80% reside in rural areas. Countries have long cooperated to end hunger. Food security is one of the eight Millennium Development Goals to alleviate extreme poverty and famine.

According to the World Food Summit in Rome in 1996, "Food security is achieved when all people have physical and economic access to enough safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life." Food security is based on three main factors: how much food is available, how easy it is to get, and how it is used. Having food available means making enough of it and having it available at the right time and in the right place.  Access is about the demand side, especially the problems of people who can't buy enough food even if it is available. Foods need to be stored, processed, and put together in the right way to be used. At least 40,000 plant and animal species are used by people. People all over the world need these animals for food, shelter, clothing, and energy.

Food comes from many different types of plants and animals. Genetic resources are important for the food sector. There are a lot of different kinds of plants that can be eaten, but only 20 of them are grown in farms to make about 80% of the world's food. About two-thirds of all food is made from the three main crops: wheat, rice, and maize.   There is a huge amount of untapped potential for making more food products that people can eat. Through the "Green Revolution," major food crops' yields have gone up, which has helped many countries make sure they have enough food. But even in places where "high-tech agriculture" is the norm, more species could help develop new products, keep yields stable, and make the best use of resources like fertilisers and water for irrigation.

In the past few decades, yields haven't changed much in places like deserts and mountainous regions that are hard to farm because of their natural conditions. In these kinds of places, local plant species and animal breeds are often best because they are best suited to the conditions there. They help farmers make the most of their limited resources when combined with traditional knowledge and practises.   People who are on the edge of poverty often don't eat a lot of different things. The right way to use and combine foods can help people stay healthy in the long run, especially children. Leafy vegetables, fruits, legumes, roots, tubers, spices, and herbs are all important parts of a healthy diet. They go well with staple crops like rice or corn. Many legumes, like cowpea and winged bean, are great sources of protein and other important nutrients. Many people grow a wide range of crops in their own gardens.

Most home gardens are run by women, and most of what they grow is used to make food for the whole family. Setting up home gardens and giving them the right kind of help is a promising way to improve the nutrition of poor people in both rural and peri urban areas. They also help people understand how important it is to have a wide range of traditional food plants.  Agrobiodiversity plays a crucial role in achieving food security in India by providing diverse food options, improving soil fertility, and reducing crop vulnerability to pests and climate change. To summarize, agrobiodiversity is vital for ensuring a sustainable food supply, enhancing nutrition, and promoting resilient farming systems in India.