AH-525 Aquatic Ecology

 

Credits : 4

Contact Hours : Lecture : 3  Tutorial : 1  Practical : 2 per alternate

Definition, relevance,  principles and scope of ecology, sub-divisions, Structure and functions, biotic and abiotic components and productivity of ecosystem and energy flow, materials cycling, energetics, limiting factors, development and evolution; Trophic levels, food chain and food webs, ecological pyramids, competition, population ecology ; Lakes, wetlands and rivers, reservoirs and springs, structure and functions, usefulness, natural and manmade ecosystems; concept, importance and conservation of aquatic biodiversity role of invasive species and its importance; System analysis, ecosystem models,  Stressed ecosystems, homeostasis, ecological succession, ecosystem resilience; Pollution of lakes and rivers,  causes, impacts and control of eutrophication; principles and application of restoration methods, ecotechnologies  ; National/international  perspectives, policies, Ramsar convention, NLCP, NRCD, case studies of Dal lake, Nainital lake, Chilka, Loktak and Asan wetlands, Tehri dam reservoir, river Ganges and Yamuna; Elementary biochemistry, salient features of biomolecules, enzymes and other tools of biotechnology, discovery and diversity, prokaryotic cell, microbial energetics, biosynthesis and nutrition, autotrophic way of life, growth, macromolecular synthesis; Microorganism in environment, microbiology of water, bacteria and viruses, bacteriophages, animal and plant viruses, structure, replication and quantification, structure and diversity of algae, protozoa and rotifers;

List of Practicals :

i.    To determine the pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity.
ii.   To determine the Phosphorous (Total P and Orthophosphate), Nitrogen (Total N, nitrate, ammonia), Fe and Total Iron.
iii.  To determine dissolved oxygen, BOD and COD.
iv.  To identify Plankton, common phytoplankton, common zooplankton, common periphyton and macroinvertebrates.
v.   To estimate chlorophyll.
vi.  To identify common aquatic macrophytes.

 
 

Suggested Books :

i.     Odum, E.P., Barrick, M., and Barrett, G.W., “Fundamentals of Ecology”, 3rd edition, W.D. Saunders.
ii.    Wetzel, R.G., “Limnology: Lakes and Rivers Ecosystems”, 3rd edition, W.D. Saunders.
iii.   Christer, B. and Lars, A.H., “The Biology of Lakes and Ponds”, Oxford University Press.
iv.   Cooke,G.D.et al, “Restoration and Management of Lakes and Reservoirs”, 3rd edition, Taylor and Francis publication.
v.    Roberts, M.B.V. and Ingram N.R., “Biology”, Nelson Science Publishers.
vi.   Smith, J.E., “Biotechnology”, 5th edition, South Asian Press.