Ecology

Paper Code: 
ZOL 611
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
 
This course will enable the students to -
 
  • Interpret concepts of Ecosystem.
  • Contrast biotic and abiotic factors along with the interaction between them.
  • Describe the Biogeochemical cycles
  • Examine the characteristics of Population and Community
  • Assess the types and patterns of Ecological succession
  • 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 

CO 102: Critique the concepts of Ecosystem.

CO 103: Appraise the Biogeochemical cycles.

CO 104: Investigate the Characteristics of Population and Community.

CO 105: Support the Types and Patterns of Ecological succession.

CO 106: Explore 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 hydrosere succession
  • 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: 
2021-2022
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