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GENERAL STUDIES

for
SSC-JE
STUDY MATERIAL

GENERAL STUDIES for SSC-JE


GENERAL STUDIES for SSC-JE
GENERAL STUDIES for SSC-JE

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CONTENT

1. HISTORY: ……………………………………………………. 02-66

2. INDIAN POLITY: …………………………………………… 67-108

3. ECONOMICS: ………………………………………………… 109-160

4. GEOGRAPHY: ……………………………………………….. 161-276

5. ENVIRONMENT: ………………………………………… 277-374

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES HISTORY [1]

HISTORY
ANCIENT MEDIEVAL MODERN

STUDY MATERIAL

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES HISTORY [2]

HISTORY ……………………………………………………01-66

Unit-I: ANCIENT HISTORY ………………………………….. 03-18


1. EARLY MAN
2. INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION AND CULTURE (2500 BC – 1750 BC)
3. MAJOR CITIES OF INDUS CULTURE
4. SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SYSTEM OF INDUS CIVILIZATION
5. VEDIC CIVILIZATION AND CULTURE (1500 BC – 600 BC)
6. RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS
7. MAHAJANAPADA PHASE (600 BC – 325 BC)
8. MAGADHA
9. OFFSHOOTS OF MAURYAN EMPIRE
10. THE INDO-GREEK RULERS – 2ND PHASE
11. GUPTA EMPIRE (319 AD – 540 AD)
12. POST GUPTA PERIOD (550 AD – 647 AD)

Unit-II: MEDIEVAL INDIA …………………………………… 19-33


1. FIRST MUSLIM INVASION
2. FIRST TURK INVASION
3. SECOND TURK INVASION
4. DELHI SULTANATE (1206 – 1526)
5. LITERATURE OF DELHI SULTANATE
6. VIJAY NAGAR EMPIRE (1336 – 1565 AD)
7. BAHMANI KINGDOM
8. MUGHAL PERIOD (1526 – 40 AND 1555 – 1857)
9. SUR EMPIRE (2ND AFGAN EMPIRE)
10. LITERATURE OF MUGHAL PERIOD
11. MARATHA STATE (1674 – 1720) AND MARATHA CONFEDRACY (1720 – 1818)
12. BEGINNING OF EUROPEAN TRADE IN INDIA

Unit-III: MODERN INDIA ……………………………………. 34-59


1. BRITISH ECONOMIC POLICIES AND THEIR IMPACT
2. LAND REVENUE SYSTEM DURING BRITISH PERIOD
3. DRAIN OF WEALTH
4. ADMINISTRATION INDRODUCED BY BRITISH
5. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL REFORMS MOVEMENT
6. FOUNDER OF VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS
7. DEVELOPMENT OF INDIAN PRESS
8. NEWS PAPERS AND JOURNALS
9. SOCIO-RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENTS
10. CASTE MOVEMENTS
11. PEASANT MOVEMENT
12. THE ARMED NATIONAL REVOLT OF 1857
13. INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
14. INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (INC)
15. INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS SESSION
16. PARTITION OF BENGAL (1905)
17. INDIAN REVOLUTIONARY ORGANIZATION (INDIA)
18. INDIAN REVOLUTIONARY ORGANIZATION (ABROAD)
19. SWARAJ PARTY (1923)
20. MAKING OF CONSTITUTION ASSEMBLY
21. IMPORTANT GOVERNOR GENERAL AND VICEROYS
PRACTICE QUESTION SET : UNIT-I, II, III……………………………………60-66

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES HISTORY [3]

UNIT-I
ANCIENT HISTORY

 ‘Herodotus’, a Greek historian is known as ‘Father of History’.

EARLY MAN
(a) Paleolithic Period (5,00,000 BC to 10000 BC)
 Hunters used stone equipments.
 Use of hand axes, cleavers and choppers is the characteristic feature of this period.
 Sites: Valley of river soan (Pakistan), Thar Desert, Belan valley of Mirjapur (UP), Narmada
valley, Kashmir, Bhimbetka near Bhopal, Andhra pradesh, Central Madhya Pradesh.

(b) Mesolithic Period (9000 BC – 4000 BC)


 Hunting, fishing, food gathering and in later period rearing of animals.
Sites: Rajasthan, UP, South of river Krishna, Adamgarh in MP.
 Rock painting of many birds, animals and human being found in Bhimbetka near Bhopal.

(c) Neolithic Period (5000 BC – 1800 BC)


 Cultivation of plants and rearing of animals is characteristic feature of this period, nomadic
herders transformed into sedentary farmers due to the advancement in agriculture.
 Village settlement started.
 Tools: axes, saws, chisels, celts, burins etc.
 Crops: Wheat, barley, plum, dates, pea.
 Animals reared – Goat, Sheep, Cattle and Buffalo.
 Sites: Mehargarh (Baluchistan), Kashmir valley on Jehlum River (Barzahom and Gufkral),
Belan valley in Mirzapur (U.P.), Assam, Deccan plateau.
 Dog burial along with human grave is a cultural feature of Central Asian Neolithic culture.

(d) Chalcolithic Period (1800 BC – 1000 BC)


 Stone copper age.
 First metal used by man was copper.
Sites: Banas and Berach Basin (Udaipur), Malwa, Western Maharastra.
 Stage of settlement.

Indus Valley Civilization and Culture (2500 BC – 1750 BC)


 Older than the chalcolithic age.
 First site discovered – Harrappa (1921 by Daya Ram Sahni) hence also called Harrappan
culture.
 Total area 1.5 million km and about 1500 sites spread over Sindh, Baluchistan, Punjab,
2

Haryana, Rajsthan, Gujarat, Northern Maharastra, Western UP and Kashmir.

Northern Most Site: Manda (Jammu Kashmir) bank of river Chenab.


Southern Most Site: Daimabad (Maharastra) Pravara river.
Eastern Most Site: Alamgirpur (Meerut (U.P.)) Hindon river.
Western Most Site: Sutkagendor (Makran Coast) Iran-Pakistan border.
Ports: Lothal, Sukta gender, Allahdino, Balakot.
Capital cities: Harappa, Mohanjodaro

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES HISTORY [4]
Major Cities of Indus Culture

(a) Harappa:
 Unearthen by Dayaram Sahni in 1921.
 Situated on the bank of river (Ravi) in Montgomery district of Pakistan Punjab.
 Two rows of 6 granaries (Nearest to the river), labourer’s quarters.
 Seal of virgin godess, stone symbol of male and female sex organs, painted pottery, two type of
cemetery (R-37, H), Dice, copper mirror, wheat and barley in wooden mortar, copper scale, clay
figure of Mother godess.

(b) Mohenjodaro:
 Second site of Indus culture excavated in 1922 by R.D. Bannarji.
 Largest site.
 Largest building of Harappan culture, the great Granary found here.
 Situated at the bank of river Indus in Larkana district of Sindh (Pakistan).
 Mohenjodaro means “Mound of Dead”.
 Great bath, Great granary, Bronze image of nude female with right hand on hips, multipillar
rectangular assembly hall, seals of Pashupati Mahadeva, 2 Mesopotamian seals, Steatite seal of
beared man, Painted seal of Demi god. Clay figure of Mother Godess, 1398 seals (57% of total
seal).
 First street located in Mohenjodaro.

(c) Chahundaro:
 Unearthened by Mackey (1925) and R.C. Majumdar (1931).
 Situated on the banks of river Indus in Nawabshah district of Sindh (Pakistan).
 Only Indus city with out Citadel.
 Bronze toy cart, Terracota model of Bullock cart, Inkpot, Lipsticks, Metal workers, Impression
of dog’s paw on bricks.

(d) Lothal:
 Excavated by S.R. Rao (1954).
 Situated on the banks of the river Bhagava in Kathiawar district of Gujarat (India).
 Only city having a artifical dockyard (world’s first tidal port).
 Burial of male and female in same grave (Double burial), evidence of rice cultivation, terra cotta
figurine of horse. Iranian, Persian and Baharainian seals, Bead makers seal.
 Game of chess evolved in Lothal.

(e) Kali Bangan:


 Excavated by A. Gosh and B.B. Lal in 1951.
 Situated on the banks of Ghaggar river in Hanuman garh district of Rajasthan (India).
 Kalibangan means “the bangles of black colour”.
 Having both proto Harappan and Harappan culture phases.
 Evidence of mud bricks and mixed cropping from Kalibangan.
 Ploughed field, 7 fire altars, Mesopotamian cylindrical seal.

(f) Banwali:
 Excavated by R.S. Bist and located on banks of River Ghaggar in Hissar district of Haryana.
 Largest number of barley grain found from the Banwali.
 Lack of systematic drainage system, clay figure of Mother goddess.

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES HISTORY [5]
(g) Sur Kotada:
 Located in Gujarat and Excavated by J.P. Joshi.
 Evidence of hoarse bone found from Surkotada.
 Only city to have stone wall fortification.
 Evidence of Pot burial.
(h) Dholavira:
 Excavated by J.P. Joshi in 1967-68 located in Kutchh distric of Gujarat on the River Luni.
 Largest Indus settlement, latest site discovered in India.
 Large stadium found.
 Entire city was divided into three parts instead of two as usual the citadel, the middle town
and the lower town.
 Evidence of dams, embankments and irrigation from dholavira.
 A unique water harnessing system and storm water drainage system, gaint water reservoir.

(i) Daimabad:
 Excavated by Dhavalikar, located in Maharastra on the river Pravara.
 Largest number of bronze items found (charioteer with chariot, rhino, ox, elephant).

SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SYSTEM OF INDUS CIVILIZATION


1. Main Crops:
 Wheat, Barley, Cotton, Musturd, Peas, Dates, Pome, Sesame, Leguminous plants.
 Evidence of Rice cultivation from Lothal and Rangpur only.
 Cotton was first produced in the world by Indus people.
 Evidence of Indigo production from Rojdi in Gujarat.
 Wooden ploughs and stone cutter were used in agriculture.

2. Animal Rearing:
 Besides agriculture animal rearing also common in Indus civilization.
 They reared buffaloes, oxen, sheep, asses camels, pigs, goats, dogs, elephants etc.
 Remains of horses found only in Surkotada.

3. Trade:
 There was extensive foreign and inland trade.
 In land trade developed first among the areas of saurastra, Rajasthan, South India, Bihar
Uttar Pradesh, Maharastra.
 Foreign trade with Sumeria or Mesopotamia (Iraq), Bahrain, Afganistan, central Asia.
4. Main Exports: Agriculture products, cotton goods, pottery, terracotta figurines, beads,
conch-shell, Ivory product, copper etc.
 Iron was not known to Indus people.

Imports From
Jade Central Aisa
Torquoise Persia
Lapis Hazli and Sapphire Badak – shan (Afganistan)
Gold and silver Afganistan, Persia and Kolar (Karnataka)
Tin Afganistan
Stealite Shahar – i – sokhta, Kirthar hills
Copper Baluchistan, Arabia
Amethyst Maharastra
 Bullock carts, pack animals and boats used for transportation.

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GENERAL STUDIES INDIAN POLITY [67]

INDIAN-POLITY

STUDY MATERIAL

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GENERAL STUDIES INDIAN POLITY [68]
CONTENT

Indian Polity …………………………………………………… 69-108


1. CONSTITUTION
2. GROWTH OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION
3. SOURCES OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION
4. TYPES OF MAJORITIES
5. PREAMBLE
6. STATES & UNION
7. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
8. NATURE OF WRITS
9. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
10. THE UNION
11. PRESIDENT
12. COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR
13. GENERAL OF INDIA
14. FINANCE COMMISSION
15. CHIEF INFORMATION COMMISSIONER
16. PARLIAMENT
17. JUDICIARY
18. UNION TERRITORIES
19. ELECTIONS
20. LIST OF IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS
21. PRESIDENTS OF INDIA
22. SPEAKER OF INDIA
23. HIGH COURTS SEATS IN INDIA
24. CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER IN INDIA.
25. IMPORTANT JUDGEMENT IN INDIAN POLITY
26. PRACTICE-SET

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GENERAL STUDIES INDIAN POLITY [69]

CONSTITUTION (POLITY)
Constitution is the fundamental & organic law of the country establishing conception; character & organs
of its government as well as prescribing the extent of its sovereign powers and manner of its exercise.
Indian Constitution Is Written Constitution. Characteristics Of Written Constitution Are
  It is Codified
  Constitution Is Supreme
  It is Enacted Constitution
  It is rigid
  It has dual polity.
Making of Indian Constitution
 Constituent assembly is a body of members which is responsible for drafting constitution
Assembly at the time of Indias independence consist of indirectly elected member of parliament.
They were elected by elected member of provincial legislative assembly. Phases of constituent
assembly and characteristics associated with it are given below :–
Phase 1 (9 Dec. 1946 – 14 Aug. 1947)
  Not sovereign body
  Merely drafting body
  Acted According to provision of Cabinet missions.
Phase 2 (15 Aug 1947-26 Nov 1949)
  Sovereign body
  Was drafting body as well as provisional parliament
Phase 3 (27 Nov 1949 – 22 Mar 1952)
 Acted as provisional parliament

1st Amendment Act 1951was taken by provisional parliament. Inclusion of National Song,
National Anthem and tricolour were done.

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GENERAL STUDIES INDIAN POLITY [70]

INFLUENCE OF OTHER CONSTITUTION ON INDIAN CONSTITUTION

(1) Government of India Act 1935


  60% of constitution is based on it.
  Federal scheme
  Office of governor
  Ordinance making power of government and president
(2) British constitution
  Rule of law
  Single citizenship
  Civil services
  Parliamentary of government
(3) U.S. Constitution
  Fundamental right
  Independence of Judiciary
  Removal of Supreme Court and High Court judge
  Preamble Judicial Review
(4) Canadian constitution
  Residuary power
(5) Ireland irish constitution
  Directive principle of state policy
  Method of election of president
(6) Weimer constitution of Germany
  Emergency provision
(7) Australian constitution
  Concurrent list
  Freedom of trade and commerce
(8) South African constitution
  Procedure for amendment simple function by majority so it is called functional
majority of constitution

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GENERAL STUDIES INDIAN POLITY [71]
(9) USSR constitution
  Fundamental duties

TYPES OF MAJORITIES DEFINED IN INDIAN CONSTITUTION

(1) Simple Majority


  More than 50% of members present and voting member of house
  Following provisions are included in it
  No confidence motion
  Confidence motion
  Vote of thanks to president
  Adjournment Bill
  Ratification of amendment by state legislature
  Money bill, financial bill
  Election of Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Speaker and deputy speakers of Lok Sabha
and legislative assembly.
(2) Absolute Majority
  More than 50% of total strength of house
  Nowhere used in isolation. It is used in association with other majorities.
(3) Effective Majority
  More than Total strength of house excluding vacancy
  Provision included under it are
  Article 67 (b) – passing of resolution in Rajya Sabha for removal of vice
president
  Removal of deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha and legislative council and;
removal of speaker and deputy speaker of Lok Sabha and legislative assembly.
(4) Special Majority (SM). There are three types of special majorities.
(i) Special Majority under article 249
  More than or equal to 2/3 present and voting
  Example:– Rajya Sabha authorising parliament for creation of all India Service
(Art 312)
(ii) Special Majority under article 368
  Relating to amendment of constitution
  > 2/3 present and voting plus majority of total membership of house
  Example
  Removal of Supreme Court and High Court Judge
(iii) Special Majority under article 61
  More than 2/3 of total member of house.
  Impeachment of president

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GENERAL STUDIES INDIAN POLITY [72]
PREAMBLE

 We the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute> india into a sovereign, socialist,
secular democratic, republic and to secure to all its citizen JUSTICE, social, economic &
political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith & workship; EQUALITY of status &
oppurtunity ; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of endividual &
unity and integrity of the Nation. In our constituent assembly this 26th day of November 1949, do
hereby adopt, enact and give ourself this constitution.

 According to decision by Supreme Court Preamble is a Part of Indian constitution. It can be


amended but it is included under basic structure framework as defined by Supreme Court. So it
can be amended but its basic features cannot be amended.
 Words secular socialist and integrity were added by 42 Amendments Act.

STATES AND UNION

Under article 3 union government can change name, area and boundary of state
Procedure defined under Article 3
 Recommendation of President needed
 President refer the bill for consent of state and the sets time limit for it. Opinion of state is not
binding on union.
 Bill introduced in either house of parliament
 Bill is passed by simple majority by both house of parliament.

CITIZENSHIP

 Legal relationship between centre and states

 Constitution do not lay down comprehensive definition regarding citizenship. All matter are
covered by Indian citizenship act 1955.
 Citizenship law are based on two principle
(i) Jus soli (law of soil)
(ii) Jus sangauine (law of blood relationship)
5 modes of obtaining citizenship
(i) By birth (Jus soli) – Born on the soil of India and one or both parent of child
were Indian.
(ii) By descent (Jus sangauine)
 Person born outside India but one or both of parents were Indian citizens
(iii) By registration

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES ECONOMICS [109]

ECONOMICS
STUDY MATERIAL

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES ECONOMICS [110]

CONTENT

ECONOMICS……………………………………………………109-164
1. Important terms

2. Introduction to Econommics

3. Reserve Bank of India

4. Capital Market

5. Fiscal polity

6. Monetary polity

7. Foreign Direct Investment

8. World Trade Organisations

9. International Monetary Fund

10. World Bank

11. Taxation in India

12. Concept of Budget

13. Practice-Set

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES ECONOMICS [111]

1. INDIAN ECONOMY
Important Terms
AMALGAMATION: It is the final form of monopoly combination. When two independent firms or
limited companies constitute themselves into a single business entity it is called amalgamation. The
concerned business firms then lose their separate entity and merge into one. Amalgamation takes
place with a view to effect economies, reduce competition and capture markets.
ABSOLUTE ADVANTAGE: A country has an absolute advantage if its output per unit of input of
all goods and services produced is higher that of another country.
AGGREGATE: Any total (e.g., the gross national product; the sum of monthly sales).
AMORTISATION: The process of fully paying off indebtedness by istalments of principal and
earned interest over a definite time.
ANTI-TRUST: The laws and legal actions designed to ensure fair trade and competition and to
prevent business monopolies.
APPRAISAL FEE: The charge for estimating the value of property offered as security.
ASIAN-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC): Forum to advance economic coop-
eration, trade, and investment freedom in the Asia-Pacific region, chaired by Indonesia. Goals in-
clude long run development, growth of small and medium sized businesses and infrastructure de-
velopment.
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH-EAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN): An economic cooperation,
which includes Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Brunei. The ASEAN
Alliance for Mutual Growth (AMG) is a multilateral initiative to encourage beneficial trade relations
between the US and ASEAN countries. .
ASSETS: Possessions of value, usually measurable in terms of rupees.
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB): Created to foster economic growth and cooperation in
the region of Asia and Far East and help accelerate economic development for the countries of the
region. The Head Office is located at Marila, Philippines.
AUTOMATION: Use of self-operating machines to perform processes within a manufacturing
system.
AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE - ACH: Electronic clearing and settlement system for ex-
changing electronic transactions among participating depository institutions; such electronic
transactions are substitutes for paper checks and are typically used to make recurring payments such
as payroll or loan payments.
AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES - ATM: Computer-controlled terminals located on the pre-
mises of financial institutions or elsewhere, through which customers may make deposits,
withdrawals, or other transactions as they would through a bank teller. Other terms sometimes used
to describe such terminals are customer-bank .communications terminal (CBC) and remote service
unit (RSU). Groups of banks sometimes share ATM networks located throughout a region of the
country that may include portions of several states.
ARBITRAGE : When a person performs functions of middle man and buys and sells goods at a
particular time to cash the price differences of two markets, this action is termed as arbitrage. Pur-
chases are made in the market where price is low and at the same time, goods are sold in other mar-
ket where the price are high. Thus the middleman earns profit due to price difference in two markets.

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES ECONOMICS [112]
ARBITRATION: Where there is an industrial dispute, the Arbitration comes to the force. The
judgement is given by the Arbitrator. Both the parties have to accept and honour the Arbitration.
Arbitration is the settlement of labour disputes that takes place between employer and the employees.
AUCTION : When a commodity is sold by auction, the bids are made by the buyers. Whoever,
makes the highest bid, gets the commodity which is being sold. The buyers make the bid taking into
consideration the quantity and quality of the commodity.
AUTARCHY : If a country is self-sufficient, it does not require the imports for the country. Au-
tarchy is an indicator of self-sufficiency. It means that the country itself can satisfy the needs of its
population without making imports from other countries.
BALANCE OF TRADE: The difference between the value of the goods that a nation exports and
the value that it imports. When a country has an export surplus, its balance is favourable.
BANK FOR INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS - BIS: The BIS, located in Basle, Switzerland,
was established in 1930 to administer the post-World War I reparations agreements. Since the 1960s,
the BIS has evolved into an important international monetary institution, and has provided a forum in
which central bankers meet and consult on a monthly basis. As an independent financial
organization, the BIS performs a variety of banking, trustee, and agent functions, primarily with
central banks.
BANK HOLDING COMPANY - BHC: A company owns, or has controlling interest in, one or
more banks. A company that owns more than one bank is known as a multi-bank holding company.
A bank holding company may also own another bank holding company, which in turn owns or
controls a bank; the company at the top of the ownership chain is called the top holder.
BANK NOTE: A term used synonymously with paper money or currency issued by a bank. Notes
are, in effect, a promise to pay the bearer on demand the amount stated on the face of the note.
BANK RUN - BANK PANIC: A series of unexpected cash withdrawals caused by a sudden decline
in depositor confidence or fear that the bank will be closed by the chartering agency, i.e. many
depositors withdraw cash almost simultaneously. Since the cash reserve a bank keeps on hand is only
a small fraction of its deposits, a large number of withdrawals in a short period of time can deplete
available cash and force the bank to close and possible go out of business.
BARTER: Trade in which merchandise is exchanged directly for other merchandise. No money is
used. Barter is important in countries using currency not readily convertible to another form of
currency.
BILATERALISM: An international policy having as its objective the achievement of particular
balances of trade between two nations by means of discriminatory tariffs, exchange, or other con-
trols. The initiative is usually taken by the country having an 'unfavourable' balance of trade. Ex-
tensive bilateralism results in a shift of international trade away from channels that would result from
the principle of comparative advantage.
BOND: Certificate or evidence of debt issued by corporation and governments involving a promise
to pay a certain amount of money on a specific date and interest at a stated rate.
BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING: In many instances corporations move certain processes
of their business to Lesser Developed Countries where the supply of labour is large and cheap. This
is popularly known as BPO. India has become the preferred global hub for software development
and Business Process Outsourcing.
BUYDOWN: A lump sum payment made to the creditor by the borrower or by a third party to
reduce the amount of some or all of the consumer's periodic payments to repay the debt.

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES ECONOMICS [113]
BALANCE OF PAYMENT: Balance of payment of a country is a systematic record of all eco-
nomic transactions completed between its residents and the residents of remaining world during a
year. In other words the balance of payment shows the relationship between the one country's total
payment to all other countries and its total receipts from them. Balance of payment is a com-
prehensive term which includes both visible and invisible items. Balance of Payment not only in-
clude visible export and imports but also invisible trade like shipping, banking, insurance, tourism,
royalty, payments of interest on foreign debts.
BALANCE SHEET: Balance sheet is a statement showing the assets and liabilities of a business at
a certain date. Balance sheet helps in estimating the real financial situation of a firm.
BANK RATE: Bank Rate is the rate of discount at which the central bank of the country discounts
first class bills. It is the rate of interest at which the central bank lends money to the lower banking
institutions. Bank rate is a direct quantitative method of credit control in the economy.
BIRTH RATE : Birth Rate (or Curde Birth Rate) is number of the births per thousand of the popu-
lation during a period, usually a year. Only live births are included in the calculation of birth rate.
BLACK MONEY : It is unaccounted money which is concealed from tax authorities. All illegal
economic activities are dealt with this black Money. Hawala market has deep roots with this black
money. Black money creates parallel economy. It puts an adverse pressure on equitable distribution
of wealth and income, in the economy.
BLUE CHIP : It is concerned with such equity shares whose purchase is extremely safe. It is a safe
investment. It does not involve any risk.
BULL : Bull is that type of speculator who gains with the rise in prices of shares and stocks. He
buys share, or commodities in anticipation of rising prices and sells them later at a profit.
BULL MARKET: It is a market where the speculators buy shares or commodities in anticipation of
rising prices. This market enables the speculators to resale such shares and make a profit.
BUOYANCY: When the government fails to check inflation, it raises income tax and the corporate
tax. Such a tax is called Buoyancy. It concerns with the revenue from taxation in the period of
inflation.
BUSINESS CYCLE: Business Cycle (also known as trade cycle) are periods of fluctuations in the
economic activity of organised communities. It is composed of period of good trade characterised by
rising prices and low unemployment, alternating with period of bad trade characterised by falling
prices and high unemployment. Every :rade cycle have five different subphases-depres-;ion,
recovery, full employment, prosperity (boom) and recession.
CAPACITY UTILISATION RATE: The percentage of the country's total plant and equipment hat
is currently in production. Usually a decrease n this percentage signals an economic slowdown, while
an increase signals economic expansion.
CAPITAL: Money, goods, services, and information used for the production of further wealth.
Capital can be in the form of money (in the form of ash or assets), raw materials (such as minerals,
vehicles, computers), human labour (including expertise), and information (software, data,
knwledge).
CAPITAL GOODS: The tools, equipment and achinery used to produce other goods or to provide
services.
CAPITAL FORMATION: The use of money and other resources to increase inventories and to
produce new plants, tools and equipment, which will improve productive capacity.
CAPITAL- INTENSIVE INDUSTRY: Production of goods or services where the capital invest-
ment per person employed is higher (labour cost is less than 50% of total production cost). An ex-

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES ECONOMICS [114]
ample would be a chemical plant with expensive production and control equipment but few em-
ployees. The opposite type is labour-intensive industry. Industries in the more developed countries
tend to be capital intensive.
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS: An expenditure for plant or for equipment that adds to the value
of the property of a business, rather than for operating expenses.
CAPITALISM: An economic system in which the means of production are privately owned and
controlled and which is characterised by competition and the profit motive.
CASH CROP: Crops that are grown primarily for export purposes (such as coffee in Columbia).
CENTRAL BANK: The principal monetary authority of a nation, a central bank performs several
key functions, including issuing currency and regulating the supply of credit in the economy. In India
this is the Reserve Bank of India.
CENTRALLY PLANNED ECONOMY: The economic system of communist or socialist states in
which decisions on production, investment, distribution, wages and prices are made by the central
government. In other words all corporations are publicly owned. This is to be contrasted with a free
market economy. For many Lesser Developed Countries a centrally planned economy can be a
useful phase for building infrastructure such as roads or electrical power grids that are necessary for
the development of a more productive free market economy.
CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN: Document required by certain foreign countries for tariff reasons
certifying the country of origin of specified goods.
CLEARING HOUSE: An institution where mutual claims are settled between accounts of member
depository institutions. Clearinghouses among banks have traditionally been organised for check-
clearing purposes, but more recently Indian Economy have cleared other types of settlements,
including electronic fund transfers.
COLLATERAL: Property that is offered to secure a loan or other credit and that becomes subject to
seizure on default.
COMPETITIVE BIDDERS: One of two categories of bidders on Treasury securities: competitive
and non-competitive. Competitive bidders are usually financial institutions.
CONSORTIUM: A grouping of corporations to fulfil a combined objective or project that usually
requires inter-business cooperation and sharing of the goods.
COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE: When a country specialises in products that it can produce at a
lower cost than another country; and trade to get products it can only produce at a higher cost than
another country.
CONGLOMERATE: A big business made up, of several unrelated industries or product lines.
CONSIGNMENT: Delivery of merchandise from an exporter to an agent under agreement that the
agent sells the merchandise; for the account of the exporter retains tide to the goods until the agent
has sold them. Agents sells the goods for commission and remits proceeds to producer.
CONSUMER: One who uses goods and services; buyer of goods and services.
CONSUMER GOODS: Products used to meet immediate consumer demands rather than being
used for further productive purposes.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: A measure of the cost of living as tabulated by the U.S. Bureau of
labour Statistics based on the actual retail prices of a wide variety of consumer goods and services at
a given time and compared to a base period, which is changed from time to time.
CONTRACTIONARY FISCAL POLICY: A policy to increase governmental spending and/ or a
reduction in taxes.

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SSC-JE GENERAL STUDIES GEOGRAPHY [161]

GEOGRAPHY
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
&
INDIA GEOGRAPHY

STUDY MATERIAL

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CONTENT
GEOGRAPHY : ………………………………………………..161-276

PART-I Part-II
WORLD GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA
1. Universe 1. Introduction of india
2. The solar system 2. Physical features
3. Shape of earth 3. Drainage
4. Structure of the earth 4. Climate
5. Geomorphic processes 5. India annual rainfall
6. Land forms 6. Agriculture
7. Atmosphere 7. Tribes of india
8. Hydrosphere 8. Transport system (india)
9. To your knowledge 9. Coastal states of india
10. Partices set

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PART-I : WORLD GEOGRAPHY

CHAPTER-1
UNIVERSE
Geography term was coined by the Greek Scholar Eratosthenes (276 – 194 B.C), also known as
“Father of Geography”.

Physical Geography
Totality of all physical matters energy, the planets, stars, galaxies and the contents of the inter galactical
space.
Galaxy: A Huge congregation of stars held together by the forces of gravity.
 Our own galaxy is Milky way or Akash Ganga
 Andromeda nearest galaxy, spiral in shape
 Dwarf galaxy latest known galaxy.
 NGC 4486 (M87) and NGC 4472(M49) largest and brightest galaxies.
Theories of Universe Origin

(a) Big Bang Theory:


Proposed by Belgian astronomer – priest Abbe Georges Lamaitre. It is also known as expanding
universe hypothesis. According to this theory.
(i) In the beginning, all matter forming the universe existed in one place in the form of a “tiny ball”
(singular atom) with an unimaginably small volume. Infinite temperate and infinite density.
(ii) At the Big Bang the “tiny ball” exploded violently. This led to huge expansion. Big Bang took place
13.7 billion years before the present. The expansion continues even to the present day. As it grew, some
energy was converted into matter. There was particular rapid expansion with in fraction of second after
the bang. There after the expansion has slowed down. With in the first three minutes from the Big Bang
event, the first atom began to form.
(iii) With in 300,000 years from the Big Bang, temperature dropped to 4500 K (Kelvin) and gave rise to
atomic matter. The universe became transparent.
(iv) The expansion of the universe means increase in space between the galaxies.

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(b) Steady State Theory:


Proposed by Hermann Boudi and Thomas Gold. According to this theory:
The universe everywhere remained relatively uniform, unchanged without beginning or end.

(c) Pulsating (Oscillating) Universe Theory:


Proposed by Dr. Alan Sandage, According to this theory– The universe expands and contracts alternately
between periods running into tens of billion years.
This is the latest theory of the evolution of the universe.

Light Year:
The distance the light travel in one year is called light year.

One light year  9.461  1012 km

 Speed of light = 300,000 km/s


 Light year is the measure of distance in space.

Astronomical Unit (A.U.):


 Evolved by radar astronomy
 A light year is equal to 60,000 Astronomical unit (A.U.)
 One Astronomical unit is equal to 93 million miles or 150 million km.
Black Holes:
A black hole is the smallest and the densest object in universe. Its gravitational power is incredible. It can
swallow up every thing near it and nothing that gets into it can never escape it. It can neither crack nor
split and do not decrease in size. Black holes are the stars which have contracted so much that they
developed super density 1016 gm per cubic centimeter. CYGNUS X – 1 is recently identified black hole.

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CHAPTER-2
THE SOLAR SYSTEM

Origin of Earth and Solar System:


Many theories have been advanced with regard to the origin of solar system and Earth as follows.
A. Early Theories:
(i) Geocentric Theory: By CLAUDIUS PTOLEMY (140 A.D)
According to him:
 Earth was the unmoving centre of the universe, around which the sun and other heavenly bodies
revolved.

(ii) Heliocentric Theory: First advanced by Copernicus (1473 – 154), a Polish astronomer later
supported by Italian astronomer Galileo Gali lei (1564 – 1642), According to this theory.
 The sun was the centre of the universe and the earth and other planets revolve round it.

B. Modern Theories:
(i) Buffon’s Hypothesis:
Proposed by French naturalist comet de Buffon (1749)
 “Planetry system originated as the result of a collision between the sun and a huge comet, due to this
collision lot of matter freed from the sun on condensation this matter formed planets and sub planets.”

(ii) The Gaseous Mass Theory:


In 1775 German Philosopher IMMNUEL KANT suggested this theory. According to this theory
“Scattered primordial matter of small shape and low temperature were pulled towards one another due to
gravitational force. This result into collision which increased the temperature of matter and produced
“angular velocity”. High increase in temperature and speed changed the mass of particles in gaseous state
and began to emit light. Due to the angular velocity. “Centrifugal force” increased so much that rings
began to separate from the gaseous mass, on cooling these rings became planets and sub planets and
remaining gaseous mass became the sun.”
(iii) Tidal Hypothesis:
Proposed by James Jeans and Jaffreys H. Also known as Hit and Run Theory or CATASTROPHIC

Theory or Tidal action theory


According to this hypothesis. A wondering star approached the sun. As a result, a cigar shaped extension
of material was separated from the solar surface. As the passing star moved away. The material separated
from the solar surface continued to revolve around the sun and slowly condensed into planets.
Some other theories with the regard of origin of solar system are as follows.
 Nebular theory proposed by Marquis de Laplace in 1979.
 Planetesimal theory proposed by T.C. Chamberlain and F.R. Moulton in 1904.
 Meteorite theory proposed by British scientist Lockyer.
 Inter staller hypothesis proposed by OTTO Schmidst
 Binnary star theory proposed by Russel and Lyttleton in 1936.
 The Nova theory by Hoyle and Lyttleton.
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The Sun
 Centre of solar system, ultimate source of energy for life on earth.
 Diameter 1400000 kms.
 Surface temperature 6000º C, temperature of centre around 15,000,000º C.
 Composed of 71% Hydrogen, 26.5% Helium and 2.5% other elements.
 Hydrogen is converted into Helium by nuclear fusion.
 Shining surface of sun is called photosphere.
 Outer layer of sun is called corona visible only during the total eclipse of sun or with special telescope
called coronagraph.
 About 150 million kms away from earth.
 Light of sun take 8.5 minutes to reach the earth.
The Planets
Opaque bodies which continuously revolving around the sun and lighted by the sun. There are eight
planets namely mercury, Venus, Earth Mass, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus Neptune.
Classification of Planets : Eight planets are divided in two groups.

(i) Inner Planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are called inner planets because they lie between the
sun and belt of asteroids. These four planets are called Terrestrial planets or Earth like planets as they
are made up of rock and metals and have relatively high densities.

(ii) Outer Planets: Other four planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune are called outer planets as they lie
beyond the asteroid belt. These planets also called Jovian (Jupiter like) or gas gaint planets. Most of them
are much larger than terrestrial planets and have thick atmosphere, mostly of Helium and Hydrogen.
– Mercury and Venus are called inferior planets and rest of planets are called superior planets.
Jupiter  Saturn  Uranus  Neptune  Earth 
Venus  Mars  Mercury
Figure Sequence of planets according to their size (descending order)

Distance from sun to p%

1783,000,000 miles
485,000,000 miles
93,000,000 miles

36,000,000 miles

MERCURY
VENUS
EARTH
MARS
NEPTUNE
JUPITER
SATURN URANUS NEPTUNE
Inferior
planets
Superior planets
Figure: Sun and eight planets

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GENERAL STUDIES

ENVIRONMENT

STUDY MATERIAL

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1. ENVIRONMENT ……………………………………………………………… 279-313


3.1 Introduction 3.10 Ecotone
3.2 Ecology 3.11 Function of ecosystem
3.3 Environment 1.11.1 Energy Flow
3.4 Concept of environment 1.11.2 Biogeochemical cycle
3.5 Components 1.11.3 Ecological succession
3.6 Ecosystem 3.12 Types of ecosystem
3.7 Concept of ecosystem 3.13 Types of grasslands
3.8 Components of ecosystem 3.14Aquatic ecosystems
3.9 Advantage of ecosystem 3.15 Brackish ecosystems

2. BIODIVERSITY ………………………………………………………………. 314-328


4.1 Important facts 4.9.1 Structure of biosphere reserve
4.2 Types of biodiversity
4.9.2 Function of bio reserve
4.3 Measurement of biodiversity
4.10 List of biosphere reserve
4.4 Advantage of biodiversity
4.11 Biodiversity hotspot in India
4.5 Threats to biodiversity
4.12 Flora and fauna
4.6 Biodiversity conservation
4.13 Conservation programme
4.7 Bio hotspot
4.14 List of tiger reserves
4.8 Biodiversity in India
4.15 Facts about forest conservation
4.9 Biosphere reserves

3. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ………………………………………… 329-340


5.1 Pollutant 5.5 Government Initiatives
5.2 Classification 5.6 Water pollution
5.3 Causes 5.7 Effects of water pollutions
5.4 Structure of atmosphere 5.8 Noise pollutions

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5.9 Soil pollutions 5.11 E-waste
5.10 Radioactive pollutions

6. GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE …………………….. 341-346


6.1 Global warming 6.6.3 The Ozone Hole

6.2 Climate change 6.6.4 Factors accelerating ozone depletion

6.3 Global warming impacts 6.7 Acid Rain

6.4 Green house effects 6.7.1 Causes of acid rain

6.4.1 Green house 6.7.2 Steps involved in the acid rain

6.5 Global warming potential 6.7.3 Chemical reactions involved in acid


rain
6.6 Ozone depletion
6.8 Impacts of climate change:
6.6.1 Ozone formation
6.9 Mitigation:
6.6.2 Significance of ozone layer

4. ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS …………………. 347-354


6.1 Environment laws 6.2Brundtland report

5. IMPORTANT CLIMATE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS….. 355-364

6. DISASTER MANAGEMENT ……………………………………………. 365-367

7. PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS ………………………………………. 368-374

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CHAPTER-1
ENVIRONMENT

Introduction
Environmental studies deals with every issue that affects a living organism. It is essentially a
multidisciplinary approach that brings about relation of our natural world and human impact. It is an
applied science since it gives partial approach to make human civilization sustainable on the finite
resources that are available.
Environment is not a single subject because it is an integration of several subjects that include both
science as well as social studies. If we want to understand the different aspects of our environment. We
need to understand biology, chemistry, physics, geography, resource management economics and
population issues. Thus the scope of environmental studies is extremely wide and covers some aspects of
nearly every major discipline.

Ecology:
Ecology is a scientific study of the reciprocal relationship between organisms (including microbes, plants,
animals, man) with their environment. It deals with ways in which organism are affected by their
environment, how they make use of environmental resources including energy flow and mineral cycling.
The term ecology was coined in late 1868. It has been derived from two Greek word namely ‘oikos’
meaning home or place to live in and ‘logos’ meaning study. Literally it is the study of the home of
nature.
Ecology is defined as the scientific study of the relationship of the living organisms with each other and
with their environment.

Environment:
Everything that surrounds or affects an organism during its life time is collectively known as its
environment which comprises both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components. All organisms
i.e., from virus to man are dependent on the environment for food, energy, water, oxygen, shelter and
other needs.
The environment can be defined as the sum total of living and non-living components, influences and
events, surrounding an organism.
The environment provides us variety of goods and services which are important for our daily life. These
natural resources include air, water, soil and minerals, along with the climate and solar energy.

Concept of environment:
The relationship and interaction between organism and environment is complex. Since no organism can
survive without interacting with other organisms. So each organism has other organism as a part of its
environment. As we know environment is not static therefore both biotic as well as abiotic factors keep
changing continuously.

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Components:
There are two components of environment
1. Biotic (living)
2. Abiotic (non-living)

Biotic component Abiotic component


Green plant energy
Human being Temperature
Non-green plants Water
Decomposers Sunlight
Parasites Soil
Animals Wind

For example to understand it let us take the example of fish in the pond.
The fish in the pond consists of both biotic and abiotic component for e.g., microscopic organism called
plankton as well as aquatic plants and animals and decomposers are biotic component.
Abiotic components are light, water, oxygen, nutrients, other gases and organic matter are dissolved

Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a complex set of relationship among the living resources, habitats and resident of an
area. It induces plants, trees, animals, fish, birds, micro-organism water, soil and people. An ecosystem
can be defined as the system resulting from the integration of all living and non-living factors of the
environment.
An ecosystem is an open system with a continuous but variable influx and loss of material and energy. It
is a basic functional unit with no limits of boundaries and consists of both biotic and abiotic components
interacting with each other both necessary for maintenance of life upon earth. Thus an ecosystem
represents the highest level of ecological integration which is energy based and this functional unit is
capable of energy transformation accumulation and circulation.

Concept of an ecosystem:
An ecosystem is a region with a specific and recognizable landscape form, for e.g., forest, grassland,
coastal area, wetland, mangroves, desert etc. The nature of the ecosystem depends on its geographical
features such as hills, mountains, plains, rivers, lakes, coastal areas or islands and is also controlled by
climatic conditions i.e., the amount of sunlight, temperature and rainfall in the region. The geographical,
climatic and soil characteristics form its non-living i.e. abiotic components.These features create
conditions that support a community of plants and animals whose evolution has produced to live in these
specific condition. The living part of an ecosystem is called biotic components.
Ecosystems are divided into Terrestrial or land based ecosystem and Aquatic or water based ecosystem.
These form the two main habitat conditions for the earth’s living organisms. Life can exist only in a small
portion of the earth’s land, water and atmosphere.
An ecosystem can be understood at various levels:
At global level: the skin or layer of the earth on the land, sea and air forms the biosphere.
At sub-global level: this is divided into biographical realms for e.g., Eurasia is called the Palearctic
realms, south and south east Asia is called oriental realms, North America is the Nearctic realm, South
America’s is Neotropicalrealm, Africa is the Ethiopian realm and Australia is Australian realm.

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At a national or state level, this is divided into Biographical region for e.g., western ghat, Eastern ghat,
Deccan plateau, the Himalayas, the Gangetic plains, the Costal belts, Andaman and Nicobar Islands etc.
These geographically distinctive areas contain plants and animals that have adapted themselves to live in
each of these regions.
At the local level, each area has several structurally and functionally identifiable ecosystem. Such as
different types of forests, grassland, rivers catchments, wetlands mangroves etc. Therefore we can say the
living community of plants and animals inany area together with the non-living component of the
environment i.e. soil, air water surelyconstitute the ecosystem.
Difference between Ecology, Environment and Ecosystem:
For example let us take the example of Engineers India of Institute (EII) and its students. Let’s say that
ecology would be the scientific study of student’s relationship with the EII as a whole. The institute being
the environment in which students studies and the set of circumstances surrounding the student in which
the environment would be the teachers, books, other students etc, are said to be ecosystem.

Components of Ecosystem:
The ecosystem comprises of two components are Biotic i.e. living components and Abiotic i.e. nonliving
component. But both the component of ecosystem and environment are same.
1. Biotic components:
It includes living organism consisting of plants, animals and microbes and are classified according to
their functional attributes into producers and consumers:
(a.) Primary producers: Autotrophs (self-nourishing)
These mainly consist of green plants which make their food from inorganic raw materials like
carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) in the presenceof sunlight through the process of
photosynthesis and supply indirectly to other non-producers.
(b.) Consumers: Heterotrophs
Consumers are incapable of producing food themselves so they depend on organic food derived
from plants, animals or both. Consumers can be divided into macro and micro consumers.

Omnivores are organism which consume both plants and animals e.g., Human being.

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2. Abiotic components:
Abiotic components are the inorganic and non-living organism. It consists of water, air, soil, light etc.
It also includes various gases like oxygen, Nitrogen, carbon dioxide etc, and physical processes like
climate, weather conditions, floods, forest fire, earthquakes etc.Abiotic factors are the most important
determinants of an organism which exists in the environment.

Advantages of the ecosystem:


 Provision of food, fuel and fibre
 Provision of shelter and building materials
 Purification of air and water
 Detoxification and decomposition of water
 Stabilization and moderation of earth’s climate
 Moderation of floods, droughts, temperature extremes and forces of wind
 Generation and renewal of soil fertility, including nutrient cycling
 Pollination of plants, including many crops control of pests and diseases
 Maintenance of genetic resources as key inputs to crop varieties and livestock breeds, medicines and
other products.
 Cultural and aesthetic benefits

Ecotone
Ecotone is a zone of function between two or more diverse ecosystem for e.g, mangrove, wetlands forests
represent an ecotone between marine and terrestrial ecosystem, other example are grassland, estuary and
river bank.

Function of an Ecosystem
The function of an ecosystem is quite broad and dynamic. But its main function can be divided into three
parts:
1. Energy flow
2. Nutrient cycling (biogeochemical cycles)
3. Ecological succession

1. The Energy flow:


The energy cycle is based on the flow of energy through the ecosystem. The energy from sunlight is used
by the pant into growing new plant material like leaves, flowers, fruit etc. since plant grow by converting
sun’s energy directly into their tissues, they are known as producers in the ecosystem. The plants are used
by herbivores which give them energy. The carnivores in turn depend on the herbivores for the energy
need. Thus different plant and animal species are linked to one another through food chains. Each food
chain has three or four links. However each plant or animal can be linked to various other plants and
animals which are called food web.
The energy in the ecosystem can be shown in the Trophic level interaction. Which shows how the
members of an ecosystem are connected based on nutritional needs.
The trophic level interaction involves three steps are:
A. Food chain
B. Food web
C. Ecological pyramids

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