Chapter-2

Living things in the environment

2.1 Food chains in a local habitat
Habitat
Habitat is the natural environment where animals live and find everything they need
to survive, like food, water, shelter, and a place to raise their young.
Different animals have different habitat preferences. For example, polar bears prefer
icy Arctic regions, while camels thrive in hot and dry deserts.
Habitats can be diverse, including forests, grasslands, oceans, rivers, deserts,
mountains, and more.
Animals have specific adaptations that help them survive in their chosen habitats.
For instance, fish have gills to breathe underwater.

Feeding Relationship
Feeding relationships refer to the interactions between animals based on what they
eat.
Herbivores are animals that eat plants exclusively, such as cows, deer, and
elephants.
Carnivores are animals that primarily eat other animals. Examples include lions,
tigers, and eagles.
Omnivores are animals that have a diet consisting of both plants and animals.
Humans, bears, and raccoons are omnivores.
Some animals have unique feeding strategies, like spiders catching insects in webs
or anteaters using their long tongues to eat ants and termites.

1 U Aung Tun Oo
Food Chain and Food Web
Food chain is a linear sequence of organisms which starts from producer organisms
and ends with decomposer species. Food web is a connection of multiple food
chains. Food chain follows a single path whereas food web follows multiple paths.

Food chain

Producers: Food chains usually start with producers, which are plants or other
autotrophic organisms capable of producing their food through photosynthesis.

2 U Aung Tun Oo
Consumers: Consumers are organisms that cannot produce their food and rely on
other organisms for energy. They can be classified into three main types: herbivores
(primary consumers), carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers), and omnivores
(consumers that eat both plants and animals).

Decomposers: Decomposers play an important role in food chains. They break

down dead plants and animals into simpler substances, returning nutrients to the
soil, which can then be reused by plants. Bacteria, fungi, earthworms and millipedes
are examples of decomposers.

2.2 Food chain begins with plants

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make their own food.
The primary site for photosynthesis is in the leaves of the plant.
Photosynthesis requires three main things: sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide (a
gas present in the air).
Plants have special structures in their leaves called chloroplasts, which contain a
green pigment called chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll captures sunlight and converts it into energy for the plant.
During photosynthesis, water is absorbed by the plant's roots from the soil and
transported to the leaves through tubes called xylem.
Carbon dioxide is taken in from the air through tiny pores called stomata on the
leaf's surface.
In the presence of sunlight, water and carbon dioxide undergo a chemical reaction
inside the chloroplasts.
The result of this reaction is the production of glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen
as a byproduct.
Glucose is used by the plant as a source of energy to grow, reproduce, and carry out
other vital functions.
Oxygen is released into the atmosphere, which is essential for the survival of many
living organisms, including humans.

3 U Aung Tun Oo
2.3 Consumers in food chains
2.4 Food chains in different habitats

Different types of habitats

There are various types of habitats on Earth, each providing a unique environment
for different plants and animals to live and thrive.
1. Forests: Forests are areas with many trees and plants, providing homes to
animals like deer, squirrels, and owls.
2. Grasslands: Grasslands are vast areas covered with grass and few trees, where
animals such as zebras, bison, and prairie dogs roam.
3. Deserts: Deserts are dry and hot habitats with little rainfall, home to animals like
camels, snakes, and scorpions.
4. Oceans: Oceans are vast bodies of saltwater that cover most of the Earth's
surface, teeming with marine life like fish, dolphins, and sharks.
5. Freshwater habitats: Freshwater habitats, including rivers, lakes, ponds, and
streams, are home to animals such as trout, ducks, and dragonflies.
6. Wetlands: Wetlands are areas where water meets land, providing habitats for
animals like frogs, alligators, and marsh birds.
7. Tundra: Tundra habitats are cold, treeless regions found in the Arctic and high
mountain areas, where animals like polar bears, Arctic foxes, and caribou survive.
8. Mountains: Mountain habitats vary with altitude, from forests at lower elevations
to alpine meadows and rocky terrain at higher altitudes, hosting animals like
mountain goats, pumas, and golden eagles.
9. Coral Reefs: Coral reefs are underwater habitats formed by coral polyps,
supporting a wide array of marine life, including clownfish, sea turtles, and colorful
tropical fish.
10. Caves: Caves are dark, underground habitats that provide shelter for unique
species adapted to low light conditions, like bats, blind salamanders, and cave
crickets.

4 U Aung Tun Oo
2.5 Deforestation
Deforestation is when many trees are cut down from forests. It happens for farming,
logging, and building. This harms nature, wildlife, and our environment. To protect
our planet, we need to take care of our forests and plant more trees.

Deforestation Causes:
Logging: Cutting trees for timber and wood products.
Agriculture: Clearing land for farming and cattle ranching.
Infrastructure: Building roads, settlements, and other structures.
Mining: Clearing forests to access minerals and resources.

Deforestation Effects:
Loss of Biodiversity: Many plant and animal species lose their habitat, becoming
endangered or extinct.
Climate Change: Trees absorb carbon dioxide, and deforestation releases stored
carbon, contributing to global warming.
Soil Erosion: Trees help hold soil in place, but deforestation can lead to erosion and
reduced fertility.
Displacement of Indigenous Communities: Indigenous people often depend on
forests for their homes and livelihoods.
Loss of Medicinal Plants: Valuable medicinal plants are lost, affecting traditional and
modern medicine.
Disruption of Water Cycle: Trees play a role in the water cycle, and deforestation
can alter rainfall patterns and water availability.

5 U Aung Tun Oo
2.6 Air pollution
Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances in the air that can
negatively affect human health, the environment, and all living organisms. These
pollutants can be in the form of gases, particles, or chemicals and are released into
the atmosphere from various human activities, natural processes, and industrial
operations. Common air pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
oxides, particulate matter, ozone, and volatile organic compounds.

Air Pollution Causes:

Burning Fossil Fuels: Using coal, oil, and gas for energy and transportation releases
harmful gases and particles into the air.
Industrial Emissions: Factories and industries produce pollutants that contribute to
air pollution.
Vehicle Emissions: Exhaust from cars, trucks, and motorcycles adds pollutants to the
air.
Deforestation: Cutting down trees reduces their ability to absorb pollutants, leading
to increased air pollution.
Agricultural Practices: Farming activities, such as using fertilizers and burning crop
residues, release pollutants into the air.

Air Pollution Effects:

Respiratory Problems: Breathing polluted air can cause or worsen asthma,

bronchitis, and other respiratory issues.
Cardiovascular Diseases: Air pollution is linked to heart problems, including heart
attacks and strokes.
Global Warming: Some pollutants, like carbon dioxide, contribute to the greenhouse
effect and climate change.
Smog: Air pollution can create smog, which is harmful to both human health and the
environment.
Acid Rain: Pollutants can combine with water vapor in the air, forming acid rain that
damages soil, water bodies, and buildings.
Harm to Wildlife: Air pollution can harm animals, plants, and ecosystems, disrupting
the natural balance.

6 U Aung Tun Oo
2.7 Acid rain
Acid rain is a type of rain that is more acidic than normal rainwater.

Cause:
Acid rain is caused by air pollution. When harmful gases like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and
nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released into the air from burning fossil fuels (like coal
and oil) in power plants, vehicles, and factories, they mix with water vapor in the
atmosphere. This creates acidic compounds, such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
Effect:
Harm to Environment: Acid rain falls to the ground as rain, snow, fog, or dust. It
harms forests, lakes, rivers, and soil, damaging ecosystems and the plants and
animals that live in them.
Water Pollution: Acid rain makes water bodies like lakes and rivers more acidic,
affecting fish and other aquatic life. It can even lead to "dead zones" where life
cannot survive.
Damage to Buildings and Monuments: Acid rain reacts with the materials in buildings
and monuments made of limestone or marble, causing them to erode and
deteriorate over time.
Impact on Soil: Acid rain can leach important nutrients from the soil, making it less
fertile and affecting the growth of crops and plants.
Human Health: Although direct exposure to acid rain doesn't harm us, the pollutants
that cause acid rain can worsen respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis
when we breathe them in.

7 U Aung Tun Oo
2.8 Recycling
2.9 Take care of your environment
3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle)
The 3Rs stand for Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. These three small words are pivotal to
managing waste and helping to combat climate change.
Reduce means to make smaller/less in amount.
Reuse means to use something again, either for its original purpose or repurposed
for a different task.
Recycle means to convert waste into material that can be used to remake the item,
or to make something else.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is the order that is most effective in helping us to reduce
waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Ten Simple Things You Can Do to Help Protect the Earth

1. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away. Follow the three
"R's" to conserve natural resources and landfill space.
2. Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your community. You can get involved in
protecting your watershed, too.
3. Educate. When you further your own education, you can help others understand
the importance and value of our natural resources.
4. Conserve water. The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that
eventually end up in the ocean.
5. Choose sustainable.
6. Shop wisely. Buy less plastic and bring a reusable shopping bag.
7. Use long-lasting light bulbs. Energy efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. Also flip the light switch off when you leave the room!
8. Plant a tree. Trees provide food and oxygen. They help save energy, clean the air,
and help combat climate change.
9. Don't send chemicals into our waterways. Choose non-toxic chemicals in the
home and office.
10. Bike more. Drive less

8 U Aung Tun Oo