ES-ECOSYSTEMS

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD

II YEAR B.TECH.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

I.0 Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Studies

1.1. Definition,

1.2. Scope and Importance –

1.3. Need for Public Awareness

2.0. Natural Resources :

2.1. Renewable and non-renewable resources

2.2. Natural resources and associated problems

2.3. Forest Resources – Use and over – exploitation

2.4. Deforestation, case studies – Timber extraction

2.5. Mining, dams and other effectson forest and tribal people

2.6. Water resources

2.7. Use and over utilization of surface and ground water

2.8. Floods, drought,

2.9. conflicts over water

2.10. dams – benefits and problems

2.11. Mineral resources: Use and exploitation

2.12. environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources

2.13. case studies. - Food resources

2.14. World food problems

2.15. changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing

2.16. effects of modern agriculture

2.17. fertilizer-pesticide problems

2.18. water logging, salinity

2.19. case studies. - Energy resources:

2.20. Growing energy needs,

2.21. renewable and non-renewable energy sources

2.22. use of alternate energy sources.

2.23. Case studies. Land resources:

2.24. Land as a resource,

2.25. land degradation,

2.26. man induced landslides

2.27. soil erosion and desertification

2.28. Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources

2.29. Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles

3.0. Ecosystems :

3.1. Concept of an ecosystem. –

3.2. Structure and function of an ecosystem. –

3.3. Producers, consumers and decomposers. –

3.4. Energy flow in the ecosystem –

3.5. Ecological succession. –

3.6. Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids.-

3.7. Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and function of the following ecosystem:

3.7.a. Forest eco system

3.7.b. Grassland ecosystem

3.7.c. Desert ecosystem

3.7.d. Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)

4.0. Biodiversity and its conservation :

4.1. Introduction –

4.2. Definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. –

4.3. Bio-geographical classification of India –

4.4. Value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values -.

4.5. Biodiversity at global, National and local levels. - .

4.6. India as a mega-diversity nation –

4.7. Hot-sports of biodiversity –

4.8. Threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts. –

4.9. Endangered and endemic species of India –

4.10. Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.