ECOLOGY AND
ECOSYSTEM
BBT654D
1
MODULE – 1
INTRODUCTION
• Concept of ecology and ecosystem
• Structure and function of ecosystem
• Basic concept of population and community ecology
• Ecological succession
• Characteristic features of the following
a) Forest ecosystem
b) Grassland ecosystem
c) Desert ecosystem
d) Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, wetlands,
rivers, oceans, estuaries)
Case studies.
2
MODULE – 2
ECOLOGY
• Basic concepts
• Scope
• Multidisciplinary nature and relevance
• Ecosystem concept
• Organization and significance
• Biosphere concept
• Organization and significance
• Cybernetic nature of ecosystems
• Factors affecting ecosystem
• Major environmental factors (biotic and abiotic) influencing
organisms in various ecosystems
• Concept of limiting factors
• Liebig’s law of the minimum
• Shelford law of tolerance
• Case studies
3
MODULE – 3
ENERGY FLOW AND TROPHIC DYNAMICS
• Energy flow in ecosystems
• Concept of trophic dynamics and trophic cascade
• Food chains, food webs and trophic levels
• Ecological pyramids
• Energy transfer
• Ecological efficiencies
• Biogeochemical cycles (water, oxygen, carbon,
nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur)
• Case studies.
4
MODULE – 4
POLLUTION AND ITS EFFECTS ON ECOLOGY
• Air pollution from primary and secondary pollutants
• Ozone chemistry and ozone layer depletion
• Acid rain and its impact on ecosystems
• Water pollution
• Types, sources and effects of water pollution
• Concept of DO, BOD and COD
• Eutrophication
• Oil pollution and thermal pollution
• Land and soil pollution
• Coal mine and it’s environmental impact and restoration
• Salt affected soils and their management
• Acid soil and its management
• Fertilizers and soil pollution
• Pesticide pollution of soil
• Pesticides, environment and human health - Case studies.
5
MODULE – 5
PRODUCTIVITY
• Primary productivity
• Concept
• Methods of estimation
• World patterns of primary productivity
• Man’s exploitation of primary productivity
• Secondary productivity
• Concept
• Methods of estimation
• World patterns of secondary productivity
• Man’s exploitation of secondary productivity.
• Evolutionary Ecology
• Natural Selection and its ecological significance
• Modern concept of species
• Adaptation
• Significance of mutation, isolating mechanism and ecological
role and other evolutionary processes in ecology
• Case studies.
6
COURSE OUTCOME (COURSE SKILL SET)
At the end of the course, the student will be able to
1. Understand the importance of the ecosystem,
different types and their impact on the environment.
2. Correlate the energy flow in ecosystems to maintain
ecological balance.
3. Analyse the impact of Pollution on the Ecosystem
4. Appreciate the ethical context of environmental
issues and the links between human and natural
systems.
7
REFERENCE BOOKS
• Fundamentals of Ecology by Eugene P. Odum –
Nataraj Publishers
• Concepts of Ecology by Edward J. Kormondy –
Prentice Hall India Publications.
• Ecology and Environment by P. D. Sharma – Rastogi
Publications
