EVM Short Notes:
1. Large Dams and Reservoirs
2. Ecosystem
3. Study of Biodiversity of an area
(1) Method to Study – Pitfall Trap
(2) Seedbank – Definition and importance
4. Water Cycle
1. Large Dams and Reservoirs
Factors for Choosing a Site for a Large Dam and Reservoir
(1) Topography – The landscape must be suitable for holding large amounts of water.
A narrow valley with steep sides is ideal because it reduces the amount of
construction material needed and provides natural support for the dam.
Example: The Hoover Dam in the USA was built in a deep canyon to maximize
water storage and stability.
(2) Water Supply – A dam needs a river with a consistent flow of water throughout
the year. Seasonal rivers may not provide enough water for irrigation,
hydroelectric power, or drinking water. Example: The Three Gorges Dam in China
is built on the Yangtze River, which has a high water volume.
(3) Environmental and Social Impact – Large dams can flood forests, farmland, and
villages. Careful planning is needed to minimize these effects. Additionally, they
can disrupt fish migration and aquatic ecosystems. Example: The construction
of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt led to the displacement of thousands of people
and the loss of ancient temples, some of which had to be relocated.
Reasons Why People Might Oppose a Large Dam
(1) Displacement of People – Entire villages or towns may have to relocate. For
example, the building of the Three Gorges Dam led to the displacement of over a
million people.
(2) Environmental Damage – The stagnant water in reservoirs can lead to the buildup
of methane (a greenhouse gas) from decomposing plants. Dams also stop
sediments from flowing downstream, which can impact agriculture.
(3) Risk of Flooding and Structural Failure – If a dam collapses due to an earthquake
or excessive water pressure, it can cause massive destruction downstream.
Example: The Banqiao Dam failure in China (1975) led to the deaths of over
170,000 people due to flooding.
2. Ecosystem:
Food Web
Example of a Food Chain
A food chain shows how energy flows from one organism to another:
Phytoplankton (Producer) → Zooplankton (Primary Consumer) → Small Fish
(Secondary Consumer) → Great Blue Heron (Tertiary Consumer)
• Producers (like phytoplankton) use sunlight to make food through
photosynthesis.
• Primary consumers (like zooplankton) eat producers.
• Secondary consumers (like small fish) eat primary consumers.
• Tertiary consumers (like the Great Blue Heron) eat secondary consumers.
3. Study of Biodiversity of an Area
(1) Pitfall Traps for Investigating Invertebrates
Pitfall traps are simple tools used by ecologists to catch and study ground-
dwelling insects and other invertebrates.
Why use a pitfall trap?
• It helps scientists study biodiversity in an area.
• It can track changes in insect populations over time.
• It is useful for monitoring the impact of environmental changes.
Steps to Set Up a Pitfall Trap:
(a) Dig a hole in the ground – The hole should be deep enough to fit the beaker level
with the soil.
(b) Put a beaker, baited with food, in the hole – The food attracts insects like ants
and beetles.
(c) Put some sand around the beaker – This prevents the edges from collapsing.
(d) Place a flat stone on pebbles over the beaker – This prevents rainwater from
flooding the trap and stops birds from eating the trapped insects.
(e) Check the pitfall trap each day – Regular checking prevents insects from dying
and helps researchers collect accurate data.
What Are Seed Banks?
A seed bank is a facility that stores seeds of various plant species under
controlled conditions to preserve genetic diversity and protect plant species
from extinction.
Why Are Seed Banks Important?
(a) Preserve Biodiversity – Many plants are at risk due to deforestation, climate
change, and habitat destruction. Seed banks store seeds to ensure these plants
can be grown in the future.
(b) Protect Against Natural Disasters – If a plant species is lost due to a disaster
(e.g., wildfires, floods, droughts), seeds from seed banks can be used to restore
the population.
(c) Ensure Food Security – Some seed banks store seeds of important crops (like
rice, wheat, and maize) to protect against future food shortages caused by
climate change or pests.
(d) Support Scientific Research – Scientists use seeds to study plant genetics,
improve crop resistance, and develop new plant varieties.
How Do Seed Banks Work?
• Seeds are collected from different locations and tested for quality.
• They are dried to reduce moisture, which helps them last longer.
• Seeds are stored in cold temperatures (-18°C or lower) to slow down aging and
maintain viability.
• Periodically, stored seeds are tested for germination to ensure they are still
viable.
Examples of Famous Seed Banks
1. Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Norway) – Known as the "Doomsday Vault," it
stores millions of seeds from around the world as a backup in case of global
disasters.
2. Millennium Seed Bank (UK) – Managed by Kew Gardens, it holds seeds from
over 39,000 species, focusing on endangered and useful plants.
3. National Gene Bank of India – Preserves seeds of native Indian crops and plant
species to ensure agricultural sustainability.
Fun Fact!
Some seeds can remain viable for thousands of years in seed banks. Scientists
successfully grew a 32,000-year-old plant from seeds buried in permafrost!
4. The Water Cycle
The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the
surface of the Earth.
Two Transfers of Water in the Water Cycle:
(1) Evaporation – Heat from the Sun causes water from oceans, lakes, and rivers to
turn into water vapor and rise into the air.
(2) Precipitation – When water vapor cools, it condenses into clouds. When the
clouds become heavy, water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Water Storage Scheme Resulting from Human Activity:
• Reservoirs (Artificial Lakes) – These are created when a dam is built across a
river. They store water for irrigation, drinking, and electricity generation.
Alternative Source of Energy from Water Storage Schemes:
• Hydroelectric Power (Hydropower) – Water stored in reservoirs is released
through turbines to generate electricity. It is a renewable and clean energy
source.
Key Terms in the Water Cycle:
1. Condensation – The process where water vapor cools and turns into liquid
droplets, forming clouds. Example: Dew forming on grass in the morning.
2. Transpiration – Plants lose water through tiny openings in their leaves, releasing
it into the atmosphere as vapor.
3. Infiltration – Water from rain or melted snow seeps into the ground and
replenishes groundwater supplies.
4. Runoff – Water that does not soak into the ground flows over land into rivers,
lakes, and oceans. Example: Water flowing off roads and pavements into drains
after heavy rain.
5. Interception- refers to precipitation that does not reach the soil, but is instead
intercepted by the leaves, branches of plants and the forest floor.
Additional Insights and Applications
• Why are wetlands important?
Wetlands help in water purification, flood control, and providing habitat for
diverse species.
• Why do food chains matter?
They show how energy flows in an ecosystem and how the loss of one species
can impact the entire system.
• Why is the water cycle crucial?
It distributes fresh water across the planet, making life possible.
