Syllabus

🔹 Unit I – Fundamentals of Ecology and Ecosystem Functioning

Hours: 8 | Marks: 8

1.1 Introduction to Ecology

Definition:

Ecology म्हणजे organisms आणि environment मधील संबंधांचा अभ्यास

Father of Ecology:

Ernst Haeckel

1.2 Principles and Scope of Ecology

Principles:

• Organism-environment interaction

• Energy flow

• Nutrient cycling

Scope:

• Environmental conservation

• Wildlife management

1.3 Structure and Function of Ecosystem

Structure:

Two components:

• Biotic

• Abiotic

Function:

• Energy flow

• Nutrient cycling

1.4 Abiotic and Biotic Components

Abiotic Components:

Non-living

Examples:

• Water

• Air

• Soil

Biotic Components:

Living organisms

Types:

• Producers

• Consumers

• Decomposers

1.5 Ecosystem Case Studies

Forest Ecosystem

Example:

Teak forest

Grassland Ecosystem

Example:

Savanna

Desert Ecosystem

Example:

Thar desert

Aquatic Ecosystem

Example:

Lake / Dam

👉 (Directly relevant to your Fish diversity research)

🔹 Unit II – Ecosystem Dynamics and Biosphere

Hours: 8 | Marks: 8

2.1 Food Chain

Types:

Grazing Food Chain

Example:

Grass → Deer → Tiger

Detritus Food Chain

Example:

Dead matter → Bacteria

2.2 Food Web

Interconnected food chains

2.3 Ecological Pyramid

Types:

Pyramid of Number

Pyramid of Biomass

Pyramid of Energy

Energy pyramid always upright

2.4 Energy Flow

Flow:

Sun → Producer → Consumer

Energy follows:

10% Law (Lindeman)

2.5 Biosphere

Hydrosphere

Water

Lithosphere

Land

Atmosphere

Air

🔹 Unit III – Environmental Cycles, Resources and Adaptation

Hours: 7 | Marks: 7

3.1 Biogeochemical Cycles

Carbon Cycle

CO₂ cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen fixation

3.2 Natural Resources

Renewable Resources

Example:

Solar energy

Non-renewable Resources

Example:

Coal

3.3 Deforestation

Causes:

• Agriculture

• Urbanization

Impacts:

• Climate change

• Biodiversity loss

3.4 Energy Resources

Examples:

• Solar energy

• Wind energy

3.5 Ecological Adaptation

Plant Adaptation

Example:

Cactus

Animal Adaptation

Example:

Fish gills

🔹 Unit IV – Ecological Interaction and Environmental Issues

Hours: 7 | Marks: 7

4.1 Population Ecology

Terms:

Population Density

Number of individuals

Population Growth

Increase in population

Migration

Movement of population

4.2 Intraspecific Interaction

Within same species

Parasitism

Example:

Tapeworm

Predator-Prey Relationship

Example:

Tiger → Deer

4.3 Interspecific Interaction

Commensalism

Example:

Remora fish and shark

Mutualism

Example:

Lichen

4.4 Environmental Issues

Acid Rain

Effect:

Plant damage

Ozone Layer Depletion

Cause:

CFC

4.5 Global Warming and Climate Change

Cause:

Greenhouse gases

Effects:

• Temperature rise

• Biodiversity loss

Key ecological concepts, including ecosystems, energy flow, and biodiversity.

• They will be able to analyze ecological interactions and the impact of human activities on the environment.

• Students will also gain skills in ecological research methods and conservation strategies, applying this knowledge to real-world environmental challenges.