Environment: concept, importance and components
Environment: An Environment is everything that is around us, which includes both living and
nonliving things such as soil, water, animals and plants, which adapt themselves to their
surroundings. It is nature’s gift that helps in nourishing life on Earth. The word Environment is
derived from the French word “Environ” which means “surrounding.” An ecosystem refers to
all the living and non-living things present in the environment.
Definitions:
• According to P. Gisbert “Environment is anything immediately surrounding an object and
exerting a direct influence on it.”
• According to E. J. Ross “Environment is an external force which influences us.”
Components of Environment:
Components of environment can be categorized into three types:
1. Physical Components
2. Cultural Components
3. Biological Components
1. Physical Components: These components include Lithosphere (Sphere of land),
Atmosphere (sphere of gases), hydrosphere (sphere of water) and biosphere (sphere where
life exists).
The four major components of physical environment include lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere
and biosphere, corresponding to rocks, water, air and life respectively.
• Lithosphere is the outermost layer of earth called crust, which is made of different minerals. Its
depth can reach up to 100 kilometers and is found on both land (terrestrial crust) and oceans
(oceanic crust). The main component of lithosphere is earth’s tectonic plates.
• Hydrosphere comprises of all forms of water bodies on earth including oceans, seas, rivers, lakes,
ponds, streams etc. It covers 70% of earth’s surface. 97.5% of water found on Earth is in the oceans
