Dawood Public School

Course Outline 2015-16

Environmental Management

Class X

Introduction:

Environmental Management was introduced as an optional subject in Dawood Public School in the year 2008. The subject is offered to students in varied combinations. This subject deals with the study of relationship of human with their environment, impact of the human activities, current e n v i r o n m e n t a l issues and problems faced by the world, their impact and m a n a g e m e n t o f r e s o u r c e s a n d solutions to the environmental challenges.. This syllabus is centered around the concept of: Sustainable development.

This may be defined as;

“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future

generations to meet their own needs.’

Two concerns are fundamentally tied to the process of sustainable development of the Earth’s

resources:

The basic needs of humanity must be met.

The limits to development are not absolute but are imposed by present states of

technology and social organization and by their impacts upon environmental resources

and upon the biosphere’s ability to absorb the effect of human activities. But

technology and social organisation can be both managed and improved to make way

for a new era of economic growth.

Environmental Management is accepted by universities and employers as proof of

knowledge and understanding. Environmental Management is structured in such a way that

students attain both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. This subject develops in

students’ awareness about the degradation of the natural environment and lifelong

skills, including:

• An ability to draw upon disciplines such as Biology, Earth Science, Geography,

Economics and Anthropology;

• An understanding of the interdependence of the earth’s natural systems, and how people use natural resources;

• An understanding of how development impacts on the environment, consideration of issues such as environmental pollution and resource depletion;

• The ability to explore ways in which we may change the nature of future development to make it more sustainable.

Assessment

Paper 1 120 marks=60% of total assessment

Paper 1 consist of two sections, section A comprises of four structured questions, each of ten marks and section B comprises number of structured question, involving short answers and free response based upon several pieces of related source material concerning environmental issues of global impact.

Paper 2 60 marks= 40% of total assessment

This paper is designed to primarily tests student’s analytical skills, judgment, and decision making through a case study based paper.

Students would be expected to use suitable techniques to interpret data and analyse.

On the basis of their findings recognise, discuss and evaluate strategies for sustainable development in a given scenario.

Syllabus Matrix

The Environmental Management syllabus is organised as a matrix. The syllabus is designed to

emphasise:

Life on Earth as we know it is an integrated and interdependent whole;

Its future is endangered by the impact of human development on natural resources;

Its survival for future generations will depend on concerted action to conserve and

manage the environment as a self-sustaining resource base.

For each of the four spheres of the Earth’s environment (lithosphere, hydrosphere,

atmosphere and biosphere), the following aspects are considered.

1. Resources: How does the natural system work? 2. Development: How do people use natural resources? 3. Impact: How does development change the environment? 4. Management: How can the environment be developed sustainably?

RESOURCES

DEVELOPMENT

IMPACT

MANAGEMENT

LITHOSPHERE

The lithosphere:

structure and

processes

Elements of soil

Human activity and

the lithosphere

Lithosphere

in crisis

Action on the

lithosphere

HYDROSPHERE

The water

The oceans

Human intervention

in the water cycle

Exploitation of the

ocean

Water

hazards

The oceans

at risk

Clean, safe water

strategies

Managing the

oceans

ATMOSPHERE

The atmospheric

system

Human activity and

the atmosphere

Atmosphere in

crisis.

Agriculture

development

consequences

Action on the

atmosphere

Managing

agriculture

BIOSPHERE

Biomes

Types of

vegetation

The changing role of

people in the

environment

Human population

Modification of

vegetation and

soils

Ecosystems

at risk People in crisis Land at risk

Conservation of the

ecosystem

Population

management

Managing the land

Lithosphere

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Topics/ Content Enhancement

1. The Earth, its rocks and minerals The structure of the Earth core, mantle,

crust The types of rock igneous, sedimentary,

metamorphic The distribution, types and reserves of

major minerals metal ores and fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal)

The formation of fossil fuels The crust/tectonic cycle: plate tectonics,

earth movements (folding, faulting, mountain building), earthquake zones, vulcanicity.

2. Elements of soil

The formation and composition of soils mineral and organic content, air, water, role of soil organisms, particle size (clay, silt, sand), soil texture

Soil as a medium for growth and land use potential ; nutrients, pH, pore space, aeration, drainage

Classification and importance of minerals, life expectancy, supply and demand of minerals.

Formation of Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

Convergent and divergent plate boundaries, formation of features.

Map work: minerals reserves, major landforms (fold mts.), Plate boundary, earthquake and volcanic zone.

Clayey, loam and sandy soils.

Relationship between soil types and farming.

Affects on agricultural potential.

pH scale.

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3.Human activity and the lithosphere

The methods of search and extraction of rocks, minerals and fossil fuels

The uses of rocks and minerals in industrial processes

Types of energy production from fossil and nuclear fuels

The location of the main centres of mining and energy production in relation to major centres of population and industry

Main supply and demand constraints in exploiting mineral resources geological factors, depletion rates, climatic factors, transport fluctuations of prices

The economic aspects and limitations of earthquake and volcanic zones

The implications of the patterns of global trade in minerals and energy

How industrial development is used to achieve social and economic goals

Mining methods, Open cast mining and deep mining.

Selecting an appropriate mining method.

Working in mines, risk factors, and miner rights.

Responsible mining, reclamation of land after mining.

Industrial revolution. A comparative study of

renewable and non renewable energy resources.

The energy crisis. Rate of consumption and

projected life of oil reserves.

Pie graphs, bar graph and map work related to production, demand and trade of fossil fuels.

Imp

act

4. Lithosphere in crisis

The impact of mineral exploitation on the environment and on human activity and health

The global economic consequences of the over-exploitation and depletion of mineral and fossil fuel reserves

The implications in social, economic and environmental terms of different types of energy production; fossil fuels compared with nuclear

The impact of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions on human communities; damage, loss of life, danger to health in aftermath, economic dislocation

The impact of industrial development on the environment and on human activity and health

Causes and consequences of land pollution; salination, toxic waste, nuclear waste, domestic waste, harmful effects of pesticides and fertilizers; groundwater contamination, health risks.

Impact of mining on human health: health risk to miners, and people living near mines.

Nuclear disasters: a review on major nuclear leaks and accidents, the consequences of such events.

Case study: Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident.

Case study: Pakistan recent Earthquakes.

ATC: solid state sampling methods and plans for land based pollution, recording and analyzing data.

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5. Action on the lithosphere

Conservation schemes for damaged environments; landscaping, restoration, reclamation, filtration, waste management

Technologies and viability of alternative energy sources: solar, wind, wave, geothermal, hydro-electric, biomass

Strategies for conservation and management of mineral and fossil fuel resources; increased efficiency in use, insulation, recycling, power from waste, new technology

Strategies for managing the impacts of earthquakes and volcanic activity planning site of settlement (land use zoning) and structure of buildings, disaster relief

Industrial materials, technologies, and approaches which can contribute to solving environmental problems monitoring, remedial action, recycling(processing wastes and industrial products at end of life), low waste technology (developing cleaner processes and products, conservation and efficiency)

Success stories: Recovery of land resources.

Types of waste and their particular method of disposal.

Segregation of waste. Community oriented

solution. Case study: Japan

strategies to reduce effects of earthquake.

Success stories: Zero waste industries.

Hydrosphere

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Topics/Subtopics Enhancement

6. The Water Cycle How the water cycle operates How the natural availability of water varies

from place to place The role of the water cycle within

ecosystems links between rainfall, vegetation and soils (interception, infiltration, surface run-off)

7. The oceans

The role of the ocean as an environment for interdependent ecosystems

The resource potential of the oceans The distribution of ocean currents and their

effects on climate and on fisheries Reversal of ocean currents, e.g. el Nino

and its effects

World water distribution patterns-Pie graphs and map.

Factors influencing variation in amount of precipitation received by an area.

Vegetation pattern from equator to tropics.

Changes in amount of infiltration, run off and interception between forested and non forested area.

Ocean waters general characteristics: salinity, temperature and dissolved gasses.

Marine ecosystem: phytoplankton and zooplanktons, food chain.

Ocean currents circulation pattern influence of temperature, salinity, Earth rotation, effect of continents and winds.

Upwelling and mixing of ocean currents.

La Nino condition off the coast of Peru

Predicting an El Nino: Sea level, temperature change.

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8. Human intervention in the water cycle

Collection and control of water for a variety of uses; water supply (storage, transfer, dams, reservoirs); industry and domestic use; waste disposal; power; agriculture (irrigation)

Competing demands for water Mismatch between water supply and

demand The ways in which processes operating

within the water cycle affect development causes and effects of flooding and drought.

9. Exploitation of the oceans

The environmental and human factors in the distribution and exploitation of the world’s ocean fisheries

Factors that limit full exploitation of the ocean’s potential resources.

Building Dams- Selection of a suitable place, Structure.

Large dams: Impact on environment, navigation, and local people.

Dams: a cause of cold war between countries.

Water use per person per year value as an indicator for water level of country.

Water use in different sectors: indicating economic development of country.

Factors affecting urban and rural water and sanitation assess.

Off shore oil drilling: fixed

and floating rigs. Modern Fishing methods:

Purse seine, trawling, long lining, and drift nets.

Limiting factors in the exploration of ocean resources

Imp

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10. Water hazards

The causes and consequences of water pollution; impact on natural ecosystems, the physical environment, human activity and health

Contrasts in availability of water in terms of quality, quantity and access between urban and rural communities; between countries

The cycle of water-related diseases, and their impact on human activities and development; water-based (bilharzia); water-borne (typhoid, cholera); water-bred (malaria).

11.The oceans at risk

The implications of uncontrolled exploitation of marine resources fishing, continental shelf and deep-sea mineral resources

Causes of marine pollution and its impact on the marine ecosystem and on coastal zones; raw sewage, heavy metals, oil and plastics

Water quality classification Pollution: types of

pollutants, Inorganic, organic, heavy metals, radioactive.

Point and non point sources. Bioaccumulation of

pollutants. Eutrophication Water disease: causes,

symptoms, precautions. Locating High risk areas. Poverty trap Statistics and figures of

infant mortality in developing countries.

Falling fish stocks, by catch,

and species on threat. Off shore oil drilling and

trade of oil Oil spills: impact on species

and human health.

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12. Clean, safe water strategies

Ways of improving water quantity, quality and access pollution control, improved sanitation, distribution for more efficient water use, desalination

Strategies to control and eradicate water related diseases drugs, vector control and eradication, improved sanitation, clean water supply, chlorination

13. Managing the oceans

Strategies for the sustainable harvesting of ocean fisheries; net types and sizes, quotas, conservation laws, territoriality

Marine pollution controls and remedial action international co-operation and legislation, dealing with oil spills, managing raw sewage

Role of EPA in regulating effluent discharges.

Laws and community awareness

Monitoring Rain water harvesting Solar distillation Eradicating malaria

Breeding seasons, breeding

grounds and maturity of fish.

Oil spills: measures to prevent oil spills, oil tankers modification.

Survey and monitoring after oil spill.

Atmosphere

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Topics/ Contents Enhancement

14.The atmospheric system

The sun as an energy source; varying rates of surface insolation

The factors which contribute to solar heat balance of earth and atmosphere radiation, absorption, reflection

The structure and composition of the atmosphere importance of the ozone layer, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour in the air.

The balances which maintain the Earth’s atmosphere as a mixture of gases oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen

How the elements of weather are measured, recorded, and interpreted temperature, precipitation, atmospheric pressure, wind, sun

Location of major climatic types and their main characteristics through interpretation of climatic graphs and maps Tropical - equatorial, Savanna Dry – desert Temperate - cool interior Cold – tundra

‘Climatic hazards’ (extremes of weather): causes and occurrence; cyclone, flood, drought.

Climate and weather Layers of atmosphere Factors that affect

temperature of an area: latitudes, altitudes, distance from sea, winds.

Humidity Capacity of air Types of precipitation Air pressure system Off shore and on shore

winds. Prevailing winds Monsoon system Study of climograph Climatic zones: factors that

affect temperature, precipitation.

Heat budget diagram

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15. Human activity and the atmosphere Water, solar and wind as power resources Use of the atmosphere as a dispersal medium for

waste gases smoke particles and exhaust fumes The interaction between climate and human

activity shelter; farming affected by climate The different types and systems of farming

croplands/grazing lands, intensive/extensive, subsistence/commercial

The environmental, technological, economic and social factors which influence the distribution of different types and systems of farming

New agricultural techniques which increase yields irrigation, biological controls, the benefits of chemicals (fertilisers and pesticides), mechanisation, capital subsidies

The factors which influence the patterns of agricultural output and trade; North-South trade in commodities, cash crops vs food crops.

Harnessing Weather: installation of alternative energy systems, development of technologies, potential and future prospect of using alternative energy.

Comparison of Solar, Wind and Water as an alternative energy resource.

Tidal waves as an alternative energy source.

Air pollution: air sampling, and analysis, major air pollutants, MCL’s and actual concentration comparison.

Incinerators

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16. Atmosphere in crisis Human activities which alter the composition of

the atmosphere and climate deforestation, burning of fossil fuels, industrial and vehicle emissions, use of CFCs

Causes of atmospheric pollution carbon dioxide, CFCs, methane, sulphur and nitrogen oxides, lead

Damage to the ozone layer and links to atmospheric pollution

The effects of pollution on atmospheric conditions; acid rain, the greenhouse effect, temperature inversion

The implications of changes in the atmosphere and climate; effects on health, food production, water supply, ecosystems

The impact of climatic hazards on human communities damage, loss of life, danger to health in aftermath, loss of production

17. Agriculture: consequences of development

The impact of indiscriminate agricultural practices overuse of pesticides and inorganic fertilisers, crops requiring irrigation, traditional crop varieties disappearing, overproduction and waste in developed countries, concentration of land in hands of fewer owners, environmental damage (pollution, soil erosion)

The advantages and disadvantages of the ‘green revolution’

Emission of gases from different sources, variation in concentration and nature of gases.

Thermal power station Ozone depletion Climatic disasters: most

risk prone areas, accelerated frequency of disaster

Wider rich and poor gap Human growing needs and

environment. Global trade pattern North South divide Green revolution: farmers

and countries economy

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18. Action on the atmosphere Strategies to reduce atmospheric pollution and

climatic change CFC replacement, reduction of pollutant emissions, reforestation

The need for international action and changing attitudes to deal with the causes and consequences of the damage to the atmosphere

Strategies to reduce the negative impact of climatic hazards improved forecasting, appropriate settlement patterns and buildings, disaster relief

19. Managing agriculture

Strategies for sustainable agriculture plant breeding, integrated pest control, mixed cropping, gene banks, new crop strains, trickle drip irrigation, organic alternatives to inorganic fertilizers

Harvesting energy from living resources to provide power biomass, biogas (methane), fuel from organic waste

Success stories Changing life style: Car

pooling, cycling and subways system.

Case study: Pakistan degradation of air quality, who is responsible? Government or Public.

Montreal Protocol : Success/ failure

Kyoto treaty : Success/ failure

Bali conference : Success/ failure

Biosphere

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Topics/ Contents Enhancement

20.The Biomes

The concept of an ecosystem Organisation within an ecosystem

population, community, habitat, niche Physical factors; temperature, humidity,

water, salinity, light, pH, soils, nutrients, wind

Relationships of living organisms producers, consumers, food chains and webs, competition, predation, pollination, dispersal, vegetational succession.

Energy flow; photosynthesis, respiration, food chains, food webs

Nutrient cycling; carbon and nitrogen cycle Resource potential; biodiversity as a

genetic resource, and as a food base

21. Types of vegetation

The distribution and main characteristics of natural vegetation zones (biomes) and relationship to climatic zones

Forest - tropical rainforest, monsoon forest, taiga

Grassland – savanna

Desert - desert, tundra

Food chain and food web: Producers, consumers, decomposers and scavengers.

Relationships: Predation, Mutualism, Communalism, and Parasitism.

Net primary productivity Theory of Natural selection Evolution Artificial selection and

breeding. Sexual and Asexual

reproduction in animals and plants.

Genes and hereditary characters

Biomes: biopotential and NPP variation

Species, ecosystem and biome diversity

Mass and background extinction

Marine ecosystem Coral reefs Estuarine ecosystem Wetlands

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22.The changing role of people in the environment

How different types of human society use and value their natural environment; hunter-gatherer, nomadic pastoralist, farming, industrial, tourism

The increasing ability of humankind to create artificial environments as a result of economic and technological development and social and cultural change e.g. in agriculture: domestication of plants and animals, modern agricultural methods, genetic engineering

23. Human population

Population growth rates of birth, death and fertility, life expectancy, infant mortality

Population structure population pyramids, young and ageing populations

Migration; push/pull, urban/rural The model of demographic transition and

its limitations 24. Modification of vegetation and soils

Factors influencing the clearance of natural vegetation over time; farming (crops, grazing), timber (fuel, building, furniture), paper (pulp), chemicals(gums, resins), settlement (towns, cities)

Cross breeding Hybrids GM crops: types of different

GM crops. Gene banks Native and foreign species

Demographic transition

model: stage 5 Earth’s carrying capacity Population explosion Natural increase Factors influencing rate of

population growth

Debate: Human needs can

be compromised or not? Economic development and

Population pressure in developing countries

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25. Ecosystems at risk

Habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, genetic depletion.

The effect of loss of habitat on wildlife and on the food chain draining of wetlands, impounding water, deforestation, intensive agricultural practices

The impact of tourism 26. People in crisis

Social, economic and environmental implications of population growth rates and structures

Measures of world poverty and the North-South divide; per capita incomes, inadequacy of housing, levels of disease and nutrition

The implications of the cycle of poverty, as it effects individuals and communities, for the environment

Urbanisation causes (push/pull factors), problems (housing, congestion, pollution, loss of agricultural land, provision of services)

27. Land at risk

Causes and consequences of rapid and progressive deforestation clearance for fuelwood, subsistence and cash crop farming, settlement, timber extraction and grazing; links with soil erosion and desertification, climate changes, effect on people (displacement, lack of fuel)

Causes and consequences of soil erosion and desertification removal of vegetation, overgrazing, overcultivation, clearance of slopes, poor irrigation; food shortage and water shortage, displacement of people.

Habitat fragmentation Increased rate of

biodiversity loss. Biodiversity hot spots. Soil erosion. Deforestation: increased run

off, siltation in dams, increased flood risk, habitat loss.

Over-farming in rural areas:

loss of natural vegetation, pressure on water resources and supplies, water and air pollution and soil damage.

Slums in urban areas. Urban sprawling

ATC: vegetative sampling

methods, quadrats, analyzing effect on vegetation cover.

Study of sample farm field, analyse effect of particular condition on growth of vegetation.

Analysis and interpretation of data.

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28. Conservation of the ecosystem

Strategies for conservation of biodiversity and the genetic resource sustainable harvesting of wild plant and animal species, national parks, wildlife reserves, world biosphere reserves, gene banks

world conservation strategies and legislation the work of organisations such as UNEP,IUCN, WWF, CITES

29. Population management

Strategies for managing population growth family planning, improved health and education, national policies

Strategies for managing the urban and rural environments planning, environmental improvement, community participation

Strategies for overcoming world inequalities improved trade and aid conditions, governmental and non-governmental aid, food aid

Managing tourism National Parks, ecotourism

30. Managing the land

Strategies for soil conservation tree planting, terracing, contour ploughing, dry land farming, wind breaks, integrated rural development programmes, land reform, community participation

Sustainable forest management techniques agro-forestry, community forestry, reforestation, sustainable harvesting of hardwoods, fuelwood planting, genetic engineering

Alternatives to deforestation more efficient use of timber, recycling (paper/timber), alternative materials to timber

Bio sphere reserves: Zones and sustainable activities.

Eco-tourism Trophy hunting Insitu and Exsitu

conservation of species. Community solutions Success stories: Saving Costa

Rica biome

Family planning and

religious and cultural conflicts

National population policies: Strong and weak policies

Aid: short and long term aid

Success stories: plantation

campaign Work of NGO’s Case study : Indonesia

Monthly distribution of Syllabus Content for the year 2015-16

The curriculum would be split into two sections throughout the academic years for the ease of students

and coverage of course content in an efficient way. This would enable students to have extensive

knowledge, capability of relating process, interpret relationship between the four hemispheres.

Months Section 1 Section 2

August Unit 1.5: Plate Tectonic Review Paper 2 ATC- Introduction

Unit 2.5: Water Related Diseases

September Unit 1.6: Soils: Formation, Composition and Uses.

Unit 2.6: The Oceans

October Unit 1.7: Causes and Consequences of Land Pollution

Unit 2.7: World Ocean Fisheries

November Unit 3.1: The Atmosphere: Structure, Composition, and Energy Source

Unit 2.8: Marine Pollution Unit 2.9: The Southern Ocean

December MID-YEAR EXAMINATION

January Unit 3.2: Atmospheric Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Strategies.

Unit 4.1 .0Ecosystem: their Function, Operation, and Resource Potential

February Revision

March Mock Exams 2013-14