Syllabus (BOTANY)

Course Type: MAJ-6

Semester: 5

Course Code: BBOTMAJ06C

Course Title: Ecology, Phytogeography and Sustainable Biology

(L-P-Tu): 4-2-0

Credit: 6

Practical/Theory: Combined

Course Objective: 1. The students will have the pleasure of the cognitive development and get the latest exposure in the domain of plant sciences. 2. To mould a responsible citizen who is aware of the most basic domain-independent knowledge including the critical thinking

Learning Outcome: 1. A knowhow for the development of the proper description of the different environmental issues, 2. Internalization of the concept of conservation and evolution through the channel of the spirit of enquiry. 3. The graduates should be knowledgeable and

(Theory, Credit 4)

Unit	Topic	No. of Lectures/Hrs
1	Introduction: Basic concepts; Levels of organization. Inter-relationships between the living world and the environment, the components and dynamism, homeostasis.	4
2	Edaphic factors: Soil Importance; Origin; Formation; Composition; Physical; Chemical and Biological components; Soil profile; Role of climate in soil development; Water ; States of water in the environment; Atmospheric moisture; Precipitation types (rain, fog, snow, hail, dew); Hydrological Cycle; Water in soil; Water table.: Light, temperature, wind and fire.	8
3	Ecosystems: Structure; Processes; Trophic organisation; Food chains and Food webs; Ecological pyramids.	6
4	Population ecology: Characteristics and Dynamics, Ecological Speciation	4
5	Plant communities: Concept of ecological amplitude; Habitat and niche; Characters: analytical and synthetic; Ecotone and edge effect; Dynamics: succession – processes, types; climax concepts.	6
6	Biotic interactions: Trophic organization, basic source of energy, autotrophy, heterotrophy; symbiosis, commensalism, parasitism; food chains and webs; ecological pyramids; biomass, standing crop.	4
7	Functional aspects of ecosystem: Principles and models of energy flow; Production and productivity; Ecological efficiencies; Biogeochemical cycles; Cycling of Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus.	6
8	Phytogeography: Principles; Continental drift; Theory of tolerance; Endemism; Brief description of major terrestrial biomes (one each from tropical, temperate & tundra); Phytogeographical division of India; Local Vegetation.	6
9	Sustainable Biology- Definitions, Scope and its different attributes; principles of Sustainability: Scope of sustainability; Need of Sustainability in agriculture, Environment & man made different ecosystems.	6
10	Carrying capacity, Sustainable development and Environmental impact assessment. Earth summits, SDGs 17; Different environmental movement like Chipco, Silent valley; Different conferences for sustainable development and the conservation of biotic resources; Laws & regulations	6
11	Sustainability, global environmental challenges with special references to global warming & vulnerable ecosystems in Purulia.	4

Practical (Credits -2, 60 Hrs)

1. Study of instruments used to measure microclimatic variables: Soil thermometer, maximum and minimum thermometer, anemometer, psychrometer/hygrometer, rain gauge and lux meter.
2. Determination of pH of various soil and water samples (pH meter, universal indicator/Lovibond comparator and pH paper)
3. Analysis for carbonates, chlorides, nitrates, sulphates, organic matter and base deficiency from two soil samples by rapid field tests.
4. Comparison of bulk density, porosity and rate of infiltration of water in soils of three habitats.
5. Determination of dissolved oxygen of water samples from polluted and unpolluted sources.
6. (a). Study of morphological adaptations of hydrophytes and xerophytes (four each). (b). Study of biotic interactions of the following: Stem parasite (Cuscuta), Root parasite (Orobanche) Epiphytes, Predation (Insectivorous plants).
8. Determination of minimal quadrat size for the study of herbaceous vegetation in the college
campus, by species area curve method (species to be listed).
9. Quantitative analysis of herbaceous vegetation in the college campus for frequency and
comparison with Raunkiaer’s frequency distribution law.
10. Field visit to familiarise students with ecology & Sustainability of different sites.

Reading References:

1. Odum, E.P. (2005). Fundamentals of ecology. Cengage Learning India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. 5th edition.
2. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P., Gupta, S. (2006). Ecology Environment and Resource Conservation. Anamaya Publications, New Delhi, India.
3. Sharma, P.D. (2010). Ecology and Environment. Rastogi Publications, Meerut, India. 8th edition.
4. Wilkinson, D.M. (2007). Fundamental Processes in Ecology: An Earth Systems Approach.Oxford University Press. U.S.A.
5. Kormondy, E.J. (1996). Concepts of ecology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd., Delhi, India. 4th edition.