Paryavaran

  Availability of Water Resources on Earth About 71% of Earth’s surface is covered by water and 29% of Earth’s surface is land. Water is one of the most important natural resources essential for the survival of all living beings. However, the total water available on Earth is not evenly distributed nor fully usable. Total Water on Earth: About 97% is salt water found in oceans and seas. Only 3% is freshwater . Out of this, about 2.5% is locked in glaciers, ice caps and underground. Less than 0.5% is available as surface water (rivers, lakes, ponds). Easily accessible groundwater is also used. This shows that though Earth is called the "Blue Planet," the water available for direct human use is very limited . Flowchart of Total Water (100%) Distribution on Earth  ├── Salt Water - 97% → Oceans & Seas  └── Fresh Water - 3%         ├── Glaciers & Ice Caps - 68.7%-- Polar Region, Tundra region, ice covered Himalayas  ...

Biotic and Abiotic Resources Natural resources are broadly classified into biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) resources. Both are essential for the survival of life and the balance of ecosystems. 1. Biotic Resources Biotic resources are derived from living organisms such as plants (forest, grassland, aquatic plant), animals (wildlife, aquatic plant) and microorganisms. They are renewable in nature (can reproduce and regenerate), though excessive exploitation may make them scarce. Types of Biotic Resources: Flora (Plant Resources) Examples: Forests, crops, medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables.  Importance: Provide food, oxygen, timber, fiber, and medicines. Fauna (Animal Resources) Examples: Livestock (cows, goats, sheep), wild animals, fishes, birds, and insects. Importance: Provide meat, milk, leather, wool, pollination and maintain ecological balance. Microorganisms Examples: Bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa. Importance: Help in decomposition, nitrogen fixation,...

  What is Biodiversity? Biodiversity means biological diversity and refers to the variety of plants and animals’ life found on Earth. It includes the diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. Biodiversity is essential for maintaining the balance of nature, providing food, medicine, raw materials and ecological services such as pollination, soil fertility and climate regulation. Definition of Biodiversity According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992) : Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part. This includes diversity within species, between species and ecosystems. The flow chart is shown as follows. Types of Biodiversity Genetic Diversity   Refers to the variety of genes within a species.  Example: Different varieties of rice or wheat or the genetic variation among humans (eye color, height, et...