Unit 1………………………………………………………….. 7
Fundamentals of Ecology
1.1 Definition, objectives and scope of ecology
1.2 Abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems
1.3 Trophic levels and energy flow (producers, consumers, decomposers)
1.4 Ecological pyramids (energy, biomass, numbers)
1.5 Food chain and Food web
Unit 2…………………………………………………… 23
Ecological Succession
2.1 Definition, Types – Primary, Secondary and Cyclic succession
2.2 General process of succession
2.3 Concept of Climax
Unit 3…………………………………………………………………… 33
Population Ecology
• Definition, concept of population and metapopulation
• Characteristics of population: density, natality, fecundity, mortality.
• Population growth: geometric, exponential, logistic, density-dependent.
• Migration and regulation of population size.
Unit 4………………………………………………………… 42
Applied ecology
4.1 Ecological effects of pollutants (pesticides, heavy metals, plastics).
4.2 Climate change and its impacts on ecosystems.
4.3 Ecological effects on environment: global warming and ozone hole, Green House Effect.