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Geography · CDS

GC15 — Environmental Geography

🌿 Geography – GC15 CDS Level ★ High Priority

📌 CDS Focus 2022–2026: Environmental Geography is increasingly tested. Focus: international environmental conventions (Kyoto = 1997; Paris = 2015; Montreal = ozone), in-situ vs ex-situ conservation, greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, water vapour), biosphere reserves in India (Nilgiri = first; UNESCO-listed ones), and SDG goals. This chapter rewards students who memorise the year and purpose of each protocol.

1. Ecosystems & Ecological Concepts

🌿 Ecosystem Structure

Ecosystem = community of living organisms (biotic) + their physical environment (abiotic) interacting as a system
Biotic components: Producers (plants), Consumers (primary/secondary/tertiary), Decomposers (bacteria, fungi)
Abiotic components: Sunlight, temperature, water, soil, minerals, climate
Food Chain: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
Food Web: Multiple interconnected food chains — more realistic model
Energy flow: 10% law — only 10% of energy passes to next trophic level

🍎 Ecological Pyramids

Pyramid of Numbers: Shows number of organisms at each trophic level. Usually upright; inverted in parasitism (one tree hosts many insects)
Pyramid of Biomass: Shows dry weight of organisms. Upright in most ecosystems; inverted in aquatic (phytoplankton supports large fish biomass)
Pyramid of Energy: Always upright — energy always decreases up the chain. Most useful and accurate pyramid
Biogeochemical cycles: Carbon cycle, Nitrogen cycle, Water cycle, Phosphorus cycle

CLIMATE CHANGE & POLLUTION

2. Climate Change & Pollution

Fig. 2.1 — Greenhouse Effect: Causes, Key GHGs & Global Impacts

Topic BTypes of Pollution & Control

Air

Causes: Vehicle emissions, industries, burning fossil fuels, construction dust, stubble burning. Pollutants: CO, SO₂, NO₂, PM2.5/PM10, ozone (ground level). Effects: Smog, respiratory diseases, acid rain. Control: BS-VI norms, CNG vehicles, green zones, odd-even rules.

Water

Causes: Industrial effluents, agricultural runoff (pesticides, fertilisers), sewage discharge. Effects: Eutrophication (excess nutrients → algal blooms → oxygen depletion), waterborne diseases. Control: Namami Gange, effluent treatment plants, zero-liquid discharge norms.

Land

Causes: Solid waste disposal, mining, overuse of pesticides/fertilisers, plastic pollution. Effects: Soil degradation, desertification, loss of fertility. Control: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, composting, landfill regulations.

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS

3. International Environmental Conventions

Fig. 3.1 — Key International Environmental Agreements: Year, Purpose & Key Commitment

BIODIVERSITY & CONSERVATION

4. Biodiversity Conservation in India

🌿 In-Situ Conservation

Conservation of species in their natural habitat
National Parks: Highest protection; no human activity. e.g., Jim Corbett (India's first, 1936), Kaziranga, Ranthambore
Wildlife Sanctuaries: Some human activity (grazing) permitted. e.g., Bharatpur (now Keoladeo NP)
Biosphere Reserves: Core + Buffer + Transition zones. India's first = Nilgiri (1986)
Tiger Reserves (Project Tiger, 1973): 54 reserves in India. Jim Corbett = first tiger reserve
Elephant Reserves (Project Elephant, 1992): 32 elephant reserves

🏭 Ex-Situ Conservation

Conservation of species outside their natural habitat
Zoological parks / Zoos: Breed endangered animals in captivity. e.g., National Zoological Park, Delhi
Botanical gardens: Preserve plant diversity. e.g., Indian Botanical Garden, Kolkata (largest in Asia)
Gene banks / Seed banks: Store genetic material. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Delhi
Cryopreservation: Freezing genetic material at ultra-low temperatures
In vitro fertilisation: For critically endangered species

Biosphere Reserve	State(s)	Key Feature & UNESCO Status
Nilgiri	Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka	India's FIRST biosphere reserve (1986); UNESCO listed 2000; Toda tribal community; Nilgiri tahr
Sundarbans	West Bengal	World's largest mangrove forest; UNESCO WHS; Royal Bengal Tiger; UNESCO BR
Gulf of Mannar	Tamil Nadu	India's first marine BR; dugongs, sea turtles; UNESCO listed 2001
Nanda Devi	Uttarakhand	UNESCO WHS; snow leopard, Brahmakamal flower; UNESCO BR 2004
Nokrek	Meghalaya	Wild citrus species; red pandas; UNESCO BR 2009
Pachmarhi	Madhya Pradesh	"Queen of Satpura"; UNESCO BR; rich biodiversity
Simlipal	Odisha	Tigers; elephants; orchids; also a tiger reserve and national park
Achanakmar-Amarkantak	MP, Chhattisgarh	Origin of Narmada & Son rivers; UNESCO BR 2012

📐 Formula Sheet & Key Facts — GC15

International Conventions

Montreal: 1987 — ozone/CFCs
Kyoto: 1997 — GHG targets
Paris: 2015 — 1.5°C limit
Rio Earth Summit: 1992 — CBD, UNFCCC

Conservation Types

In-situ: in natural habitat (NP, WS, BR)
Ex-situ: outside habitat (zoo, gene bank)
India's first BR: Nilgiri (1986)
Project Tiger: 1973; 54 reserves

Greenhouse Gases

Most abundant GHG: Water vapour (H₂O)
Most blamed: CO₂ (human activity)
From cattle: Methane (CH₄)
Ozone-depleting: CFCs

Ecological Pyramids

Always upright: Energy pyramid
Can be inverted: Number & Biomass
10% Law: energy transfer between trophic levels
Decomposers: bacteria & fungi

Pollution Types

Eutrophication: excess nutrients → algal bloom
Smog: smoke + fog (air pollution)
Acid rain: SO₂ + NO₂ + water
Ozone hole: CFCs deplete stratospheric O₃

SDGs

17 SDGs adopted: 2015 UN Summit
Target year: 2030
SDG-13: Climate Action
SDG-15: Life on Land
SDG-6: Clean Water & Sanitation

📝 Topic-Wise PYQs & Tricky Questions — GC15

Q1. The Montreal Protocol (1987) primarily deals with: CDS PYQ

(a) Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions(b) Phasing out of ozone-depleting substances (CFCs)(c) Limiting global temperature rise to 2°C(d) Conservation of biological diversity

✔ Answer: (b) Phasing out of ozone-depleting substances (CFCs)

The Montreal Protocol (1987, Canada) specifically targets ozone-depleting substances, primarily chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerants, aerosols, and solvents. It is considered the most successful international environmental agreement — the ozone layer over Antarctica is gradually recovering. The Paris Agreement (2015) deals with the 2°C temperature limit. The Kyoto Protocol (1997) sets GHG reduction targets. The Rio Earth Summit (1992) introduced the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Q2. India's first biosphere reserve, established in 1986, is: CDS PYQ

(a) Sundarbans(b) Gulf of Mannar(c) Nilgiri(d) Nanda Devi

✔ Answer: (c) Nilgiri

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka) was established in 1986 as India's first biosphere reserve. It was also the first Indian BR to be included in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2000). It is home to the Toda tribe, Nilgiri tahr, Indian elephant, and tiger. Sundarbans is a UNESCO WHS. Gulf of Mannar (2001) was India's first marine biosphere reserve.

Q3. Which type of ecological pyramid is always upright and never inverted? ⚡ Tricky

(a) Pyramid of numbers(b) Pyramid of biomass(c) Pyramid of energy(d) None — all can be inverted

✔ Answer: (c) Pyramid of energy

The Pyramid of Energy is always upright because energy always decreases as it moves up each trophic level — only about 10% (10% law / Lindeman's law) passes from one level to the next, the rest is lost as heat. Energy cannot flow backwards, so this pyramid can never be inverted. The Pyramid of Numbers can be inverted (many insects on one tree). The Pyramid of Biomass can be inverted in aquatic ecosystems where phytoplankton support larger fish biomass.

Q4. The Paris Agreement (2015) sets a target to limit global temperature rise to: CDS PYQ

(a) 1°C above pre-industrial levels(b) 1.5 to 2°C above pre-industrial levels(c) 3°C above 2000 baseline(d) 2.5°C above 1990 levels

✔ Answer: (b) 1.5 to 2°C above pre-industrial levels

The Paris Agreement (COP21, 2015, France) aims to limit global average temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. It entered into force in 2016. Each country submits NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions). India's NDC: achieve 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030; reduce GDP emissions intensity by 45%. Unlike Kyoto, Paris Agreement is universal (all countries, not just developed).

Q5. The distinction between in-situ and ex-situ conservation is: ⚡ Tricky

(a) In-situ is for plants only; ex-situ is for animals(b) In-situ conserves in natural habitat; ex-situ conserves outside natural habitat(c) In-situ is government-run; ex-situ is private(d) In-situ uses technology; ex-situ uses natural methods

✔ Answer: (b) In-situ conserves in natural habitat; ex-situ conserves outside natural habitat

In-situ conservation (in-place) = protecting species in their natural environment. Examples: National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves, Tiger Reserves. Ex-situ conservation (out-of-place) = protecting species outside their natural habitat. Examples: Zoos, botanical gardens, seed/gene banks, aquaria. Both apply to both plants and animals. Ex-situ is used for critically endangered species where in-situ protection alone is insufficient.

🧠 Quick Memory Chart — GC15

🌎 Key Conventions

Montreal: 1987, ozone/CFCs
Rio Earth Summit: 1992, CBD
Kyoto: 1997, GHG targets
Paris: 2015, 1.5–2°C
UNFCCC: parent treaty
COP: Conference of Parties

🌿 Biosphere Reserves (India)

1st BR: Nilgiri (1986)
First Marine BR: Gulf of Mannar
Sundarbans: WHS + UNESCO BR
Nanda Devi: Uttarakhand
Total BR in India: 18
UNESCO-listed: 12

🏭 Conservation

In-situ: NP, WS, BR, TR
Ex-situ: Zoo, gene bank
Project Tiger: 1973, 54 reserves
Project Elephant: 1992
Jim Corbett: India's 1st NP & TR
Kaziranga: One-horned rhino

🌡️ Greenhouse Gases

Most abundant GHG: H₂O vapour
Most blamed (human): CO₂
Cattle: Methane (CH₄)
Agriculture: N₂O
Ozone depleter: CFCs
10% Law: energy transfer

⛁️ Ecological Pyramids

Always upright: Energy
Can be inverted: Number & Biomass
Inverted numbers: tree + insects
Inverted biomass: aquatic
Decomposers: bacteria & fungi
Food web > food chain

🌍 SDGs & Pollution

17 SDGs: adopted 2015
Target: 2030
Eutrophication: algal bloom
Acid rain: SO₂ + NO₂
Smog: smoke + fog
Namami Gange: river clean

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