Ecology

Definition
Meaning and Origin
What Ecology Studies

Environment

Levels of Ecological Organization

Community

Ecosystem

Components of an Ecosystem

Abiotic Components
a. Sunlight (Solar Radiation)
b. Temperature
c. Water and Moisture
d. Soil and Mineral Nutrients
e. Atmospheric Gases and Air Quality
f. Climate and Weather Patterns
g. Topography and Landscape Features
h. Other Physical Factors
Biotic Components
1. Producers
2. Consumers
i) Primary Consumers
ii) Secondary Consumers
iii) Tertiary Consumers
iv) Apex Predators
v) Omnivores
vi) Scavengers
vii) Parasites
3. Decomposers
Role of Biotic Components
Interaction Between Biotic and Abiotic Components

Biotic Interactions and it’s types

Ecotone

Ecological Niche

Biome

Definition
1. Tropical Rainforest Biome
2. Desert Biome
3. Grassland and Savanna Biomes
4. Temperate Forest Biome
5. Boreal Forest (Taiga) Biome
6. Tundra Biome
7. Mediterranean (Chaparral) Biome
8. Aquatic Biomes
Why Biomes Differ

Biosphere

Course Content

Ecology

Definition

Meaning and Origin

What Ecology Studies

Environment

Definition

Meaning and Scope

Components of Environment

Types of Environment

Characteristics of Environment

Importance of Environment

Environment vs Ecosystem

Levels of Ecological Organization

Individual (Organism)

Population

Community

Ecosystem

Biome

Biosphere

Hierarchical Relationship

Community

Definition

Types of Community

Structure of a Community

Ecosystem

Definition

Components of an Ecosystem

Energy Flow

Nutrient Cycling

Functions of Ecosystems

Types of Ecosystems

Dynamic Nature of Ecosystems

Importance of Ecosystems

Components of an Ecosystem

Abiotic Components

a. Sunlight (Solar Radiation)

b. Temperature

c. Water and Moisture

d. Soil and Mineral Nutrients

e. Atmospheric Gases and Air Quality

f. Climate and Weather Patterns

g. Topography and Landscape Features

h. Other Physical Factors

Biotic Components

1. Producers

2. Consumers

i) Primary Consumers

ii) Secondary Consumers

iii) Tertiary Consumers

iv) Apex Predators

v) Omnivores

vi) Scavengers

vii) Parasites

3. Decomposers

Role of Biotic Components

Interaction Between Biotic and Abiotic Components

Biotic Interactions and it’s types

Definition

1. Mutualism (+/+)

2. Commensalism (+/0)

3. Competition (–/–)

4. Predation (+/–)

5. Parasitism (+/–)

6. Amensalism (–/0)

7. Neutralism (0/0)

Overview of Interaction Effects

Ecotone

Definition

Characteristics of an Ecotone

Ecological Niche

Definition

Characteristics of an Ecological Niche

Types of Ecological Niche

1. Fundamental Niche

2. Realized Niche

3. Habitat (Spatial) Niche

4. Trophic Niche

5. Hypervolume Niche

Biome