Ecology

Paper Code: 
ZOL 611
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course objectives:

This course will enable the students to -

  1. Describe concepts of Ecosystem
  2. Describe biotic and abiotic factors along with the interaction between them
  3. Describe the Biogeochemical cycles
  4. Understand the Characteristics of Population and Community
  5. Describe the Types and Patterns of Ecological succession
  6. Understand the Major biomes of the world

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

Learning outcomes

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment

Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

 

ZOL-611

Ecology

Students will be able

CO 102: Describe concepts of Ecosystem

CO 103: Describe the Biogeochemical cycles

CO 104: Understand the Characteristics of Population and Community

CO 105: Describe the Types and Patterns of Ecological succession

CO 106: Understand the Major biomes of the world

The approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration, PowerPoint presentations, Explanation by videos

Learning activities for the students:

Self learning assignments, Effective questions, Simulation, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks, Field practical

 

 

Class test

Semester end examinations,

Quiz,

Assignments,

Presentation

Surprise test

Open book test

 

 

 

9.00
Unit I: 
UNIT I

Autecology & Synecology
Concepts of limiting factors
Abiotic Factors of Environment—Temperature, light , Pressure
Substratum-Soil as a substratum
Biogeochemical cycles-Nitrogen, Carbon, Water and Sulphur
Populations- Characteristics, Regulation of densities, growth curves

9.00
Unit II: 
UNIT II

Ecosystem:

  • Composition in an ecosystem
  • Concepts of food chain, food web. trophic structure
  • Ecological pyramids.
  • Its homeostasis.
  • Functional aspects.
  • Productivity concepts and its determination.
9.00
Unit III: 
UNIT III

Community Ecology:
Characteristics of natural Communities, structure, composition, stratification.
Intraspecific & interspecific relationships
Niche concept
Predation & parasitism- Concept, Host- parasite relationship

9.00
Unit IV: 
UNIT IV

Ecological succession:
Types and Patterns, concept of climax.
Details of xerosere and hydroseresuccessions

Habitat Ecology:
Fresh water
Marine
Terrestrial- Desert
Estuarine water

9.00
Unit V: 
UNIT V

Major biomes of the world:

  • Desert.
  • Grassland.
  • Tundra.
  • Temperate.
  • Tropical moist Forest and Seasonal forests.

Ecology and Human Future:

  • Growth rate
  • Role of human kind in modifying natural communities
Essential Readings: 
  • Fundamentals of ecology; Odum, E.P.; W.B.Saunders, New Delhi.
  • Ecology. Gary Miller, Robert, E. Riclefs. W.H. Freeman, USA.
  • Elements of Ecology,5 Ed Robert Leo Smith et al. Harper Collins.
  • Environmental Biology (Cambridge Advanced Sciences) Michael Reiss.
  • Ladern,D. Modelling in Behavioural Ecology.
  • Ecology and Field Biology, Robert L Smith, Harper CollinsPub, New York.
  • Textbook of Ecology, G.T. Miller and S. Spoolman, Brookes Cole, England.
  • The Encyclopedia of Animal Ecology, P.D. Moore (Ed), Equinox (Oxford) Ltd., England.

 

Academic Year: 
2020-2021
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