Department of Environmental Science
Tezpur University
Course-Plan
School of Sciences
Department of Environmental Science
Course Code: ES 553
Course title: Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics L -2 T- 0 P-1 CR-3
Name of Instructor: Dr. Ashalata Devi
Abstract:
This course provides a detailed concept and understanding about the ecology. Study on biotic
and abiotic elements of the ecology offers a better appreciation of the complex interactions
and their influences. Structural and functional role of ecosystem is described through
different attributes of ecosystem for assessing dynamics of ecosystem, ecological succession,
and ecosystem degradation and restoration.
Objective:
1. To learn the concept and principles of ecology, and phenomenon of ecosystem.
2. To analysed the quantitative and qualitative characteristics applicable to ecological
research through field exercises for ecological balance and conservation of biodiversity.
3. To understand the conceptual treatment and characteristics of population ecology and
community ecology.
Prerequisites of the course:
Basic knowledge of general biology and chemistry in undergraduate level. Introductory
knowledge of ecology or environmental biology and environmental science in general is
supportive.
Course outline+ Suggested reading:
Ecology - introduction to ecology, history and scope of ecology, ecological hierarchy, view
point of modern ecology, system ecology, human ecology. Elements of ecology – biotic and
abiotic and their interactions.
Ecosystem - concept of ecosystem, structure and functions of ecosystem, ecosystem
energetics, ecological dynamics and balance. Food chains and food web, ecological
pyramids.
Productivity in an ecosystem, primary and secondary productivity, ecological efficiency.
Biogeochemical cycles - evolution of biochemical cycles, biogeochemical cycles at the
biosphere levels. Nutrient cycling at ecosystem level.
Ecological models – introduction, analytical and computational models, Predator-prey model
of Lotka and Volterra.
Autoecology (Population ecology) - population characteristics, population dynamics,
population growth and regulation.
Synecology (Community ecology) - characteristics of community, community structure and
composition. Methods of studying communities.
Ecological succession - concepts of ecological succession, general process of succession,
types of succession, structural and functional changes in succession.
Ecosystem degradation and restoration - factors/threats of ecosystem, restoration of
ecosystem.
Text Books
1. Odum E.P., Fundamentals of Ecology, Nataraj Publisher, Dehradun 1996
2. Kormondy E. J., Concepts of Ecology, Prentice Hall of India, 1994
3. Rao K. S., Practical Ecology, Anmol Publication Pvt. Ltd., 1998
Reference Books
1.Smith, R.L. and Smith T.M.(2001). Ecology and Field Biology, 6 ed. Benjamin
Cummings. San Francisco.
2.Robert, E. Ricklefs and Gracy L. Miller. (2000). Ecology (4th Edition), WH Freeman
and Company England.
3.Bingro, H. (2007). Plants- Environment Interaction (3rd Edition), Taylor & Francis
Group.
4.Gurevitch, J., S.M. Scheiner, and G.A. Fox. (2002). The Ecology of Plants. Sinauer
Associates, Inc. Sunderland, MA, U.S.A.
Pedagogy:
Lecture method, Group discussion, Assignment, Presentation, Documentaries, Interactions,
Practical, Field work, etc.
Time-Plan of the course:
Lecture no. Content/Learning unit
1 Ecology: Introduction to ecology, history and scope of ecology
1 Ecological hierarchy, view point of modern ecology
1 System ecology, Human ecology
2 Elements of ecology: Biotic and abiotic, and their interactions
2 Ecosystem: Concept of ecosystem and structure of ecosystem
Test I 26 August 2019
2 Ecosystem energetics, ecological dynamics and balance.
2 Food chains, food web, ecological pyramids.
2 Productivity in an ecosystem, primary and secondary productivity,
ecological efficiency.
Test II (Mid Term) [27th September– 4th October 2019]
3 Biogeochemical cycles: Evolution of biochemical cycles, biogeochemical
cycles at the biosphere levels. Nutrient cycling at ecosystem level.
2 Ecological models: Introduction, analytical and computational models,
Predator-prey model of Lotka and Volterra.
Test III 4th November 2019
3 Autoecology: Population characteristics, population dynamics, population
growth and regulation.
3 Synecology: Characteristics of community, community structure and
composition.
2 Methods of studying communities.
3 Ecological succession: Concepts of ecological succession, general process of
succession, types of succession, structural and functional changes in
succession.
1 Ecosystem degradation and restoration:
Factors/threats of ecosystem and
1 Restoration of ecosystem
Practical Exam (2th December 2019)
End Term (5th December 2019 – 13th December 2019)
Total: 31
Evaluation plan
Performance of student is evaluated on the basis of continuous assessment:
Evaluation
Evaluation method Marks
Test I 25
Test II (Mid Term Examination) 40
Test III (Assignment/Presentation) 25
End Term Examination 60
Practical 50
Total: 200
Expected outcome:
On completion of this course students will be able to describe the scientific inquiry in the
field of modern ecology, explain the main limitations on patterns of productivity, energy flow
through natural food webs, and ecosystems dynamics and patterns in populations and
communities. It is also expected that student will able to apply basic ecological sampling
techniques in different ecosystems and be proficient in summarizing and reporting that data.
Dr. Ashalata Devi
