1. Organisms and Environment
Key Topics
· Population Interactions:
o Mutualism: Both species benefit (e.g., pollination by insects).
o Competition: Two species compete for the same resource.
o Predation: One organism (predator) feeds on another (prey).
o Parasitism: One species benefits at the expense of another.
· Population Attributes:
o Growth: Exponential vs. logistic growth models.
o Birth Rate and Death Rate: Indicators of population dynamics.
o Age Distribution: Proportion of individuals in different age groups.
Critical Insights
· Understand examples of each type of interaction.
· Learn the mathematical models for population growth (e.g., dN/dt=rNdN/dt = rNdN/dt=rN).
· Be familiar with survivorship curves and their ecological implications.
2. Ecosystem
Key Topics
· Patterns and Components:
o Biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living components) factors.
· Productivity:
o Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): Total energy captured by producers.
o Net Primary Productivity (NPP): Energy available to consumers (NPP=GPP−RespirationNPP = GPP - RespirationNPP=GPP−Respiration).
· Decomposition:
o Breakdown of organic matter by decomposers.
· Energy Flow:
o Unidirectional flow through trophic levels.
o Loss of energy at each level (~10% rule).
· Ecological Pyramids:
o Pyramid of numbers, biomass, and energy.
Critical Insights
· Focus on energy flow diagrams and food chains/webs.
· Memorize key differences between pyramids of numbers, biomass, and energy.
· Understand the role of decomposers in nutrient cycling.
3. Biodiversity and Its Conservation
Key Topics
· Concept & Patterns of Biodiversity:
o Species richness increases near the equator (latitudinal gradient).
· Importance of Biodiversity:
o Ecological balance, economic value, ethical reasons.
· Loss of Biodiversity:
o Causes: Habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation.
· Conservation Strategies:
o In-situ: National parks, biosphere reserves, sacred groves.
o Ex-situ: Zoos, botanical gardens, seed banks.
· Hotspots & Endangered Species:
o Biodiversity hotspots: Regions with high endemic species under threat.
o Red Data Book: List of endangered species.
Critical Insights
· Learn examples of biodiversity hotspots in India (e.g., Western Ghats).
· Understand the criteria for classifying endangered species.
· Study case studies on conservation efforts like Project Tiger.