Environment
Environment notes for upsc and other exams, which we believe our aspirants should not skip.
Critical insights you must know about the Antarctic Treaty
The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, is one of the most successful post-Second World War treaties, aiming to create and ensure the peaceful use of Antarctica. The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on December 1, 1959, by 12 countries, covering an area of 14 million square kilometres for the common good of humanity.
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Mangroves Ecosystem or Nature’s Fortress Explained. UPSC Environment
Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees, generally exceeding one and a half meters in height, that typically nurture above mean sea level in the intertidal zone of marine coastal or estuarine environments of tropical and sub-tropical coastlines.
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The Ramsar Convention On Wetlands Unveiled. UPSC Environment.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. According to Ramsar convention, “wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters”.
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Mutualism – Exploring the Power of Nature’s Cooperative Bonds. UPSC Environment.
Mutualism is an interaction or relationship between members of two same or different species that benefits both species. This relationship helps both species to have an enhanced survival rate. Mutualism can be divided into two types, Obligate Mutualism and Faculative Mutualism.
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Unveiling the Keystone species concept. UPSC Environment.
Keystone species are organisms with a disproportionate impact on the community relative to their abundance. Keystone species dominate energy flow and affect the structure or function of the ecosystem. Examples of Keystone species include Starfish, Beaver, Elephants, sea Otters, Alligators, Bees, Wildebeest, Bison, Corals, etc.
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The Concept Of Ocean Acidification: Causes and Effects
An increased dissolved CO2 in seawater decreases the pH value and makes seawater more corrosive to carbonate, called Ocean acidification. In short, it represents a fundamental change in the chemistry of seawater. It is not about the process that drives surface and deep water conditions in opposite directions. Ocean acidification is the term specifically used […]
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MIKE or Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants Programme
MIKE or Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants Programme, was established by COP to CITES at its tenth Harare (Zimbabwe) meeting in 1997 to monitor elephant poaching. MIKE aims to provide the required information for 32 elephant-range countries in Africa and 13 elephant-range countries in Asia (including India) to make appropriate management and law enforcement […]
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The Gangetic Dolphin: Why is this indicator species important?
The Ganga river dolphin, also known as Soso or “tiger of the Ganges,” is an important indicator aquatic animal found only in the Indian subcontinent. Due to its endemic nature and importance, Gangatic dolphins enjoy the status of the National aquatic animal of India.
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CORAL REEF OR THE MOST DIVERSE ECOSYSTEM ON THE EARTH
A coral reef ecosystem is an ocean or underwater ecosystem that is characterised by reef creating corals. It is one of the most sensitive, threatened, diverse, and productive ecosystems composed of sponges, Anemones, Sea Urchins, Starfish, Crabs, Annelids, Holothurians, etc. Hence, it is known as a tropical rain forest of oceans or often mentioned as […]
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BIOMES AND THEIR UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
A biome is a large land area with a characteristic group of organisms adapted to its environment. In 1934, F.E. Clements and V.E. Shelford created a classification based on the broad-scale distribution of plants and associated animals. They named these biotic units Biomes. In his book “Communities and Ecosystems“, Robert Whittaker divided terrestrial ecosystems into […]
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