BLOCK 1

Assignment set 11)Describe how energy is transferred through ecosystem

2)Give an example of an ecological pyramid which is always upright. Justify your answer.

3)Outline salient features of carbon cycling in an ecosystem

4) Mention the various ecosystem services provided to us. Should these services be priced? If yes, why?

5)Whats the difference between a food web and an ecosystem?What can happen if a species is removed from a food web?

6)A large number of animals have a feeding relationship with cabbage plants. The table below

contains results of an ecological investigation into the animals found on cabbage plantsOrganism Population density

(number/m2)Mean induvidual

mass (g)Feeding habit

Cabbage plants3040Autotrphic

Aphids44000.02Feed on contents of cabbage phloem

Butterfly larvae200.15Feed on cabbage leaves

Lady birds200.14Feed on aphids

HoverfliesNot recorded Not recordedFeed on aphids

LacewingsNot recordedNot recordedFeed on aphids

ApantalesNot recorded Too small to recordLive inside butterfly larvae

Use the information in the table above to answer the following questions.

i)Draw a food web linking all organisms in the table

ii)Use organisms listed in the table to draw a food chain in which the secondary consumer is a parasite

iii)Draw a labelled pyramid of biomass representing a food chain which includes butterfly larvae

Assignment set 2

1)Discuss the dynamics of ecosystems under the following headings:

a)Energy transfer

b)Ecological succession

2)Describe the development and structure of an ecosystem of your choice.

3)Explain the nitrogen cycle in detail and highlight the importance of it in an ecosystem.

4)What are the limitations of ecolocgical pyramids?

5) Do you think ecosystems are fragile, stable, or adaptable? Why?

6) Do a breif case study on any one of the following wetlands:

a)Dal lake

b)The Cochin backwater

c)Southern gulf of Kutch

BLOCK 2

Assignment set 1

1)How much water is needed by one person? Several international agencies and experts have proposed that 50 liters per person per day covers basic human water requirements for drinking, sanitation, bathing and food preparation. Estimate your average daily consumption.

2)Discuss the impact of fossil fuels on evironemnt'

3)Convert the quads into percentage and make a pie chart showing how much energy came from renewable sources and how much from non renewable sources.Round to the nearest tenth.

(Q=quad or quadrillion British thermal units)

Petroleum

34.49Q

Natural gas

23.36Q

Coal

19.76Q

Uranium

8.35Q

Biomass

3.88Q

Hydropower

2.68Q

Geothermal, solar 1.18Q

Propane

1.0 Q

4)Give a detail desciption of how a photovolatic cell works and explain the conversion of silicon into electricity.

5)What do you understand by equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles.Write a short eassy on this.

Assignment set 2

1) As an induvidual ennumerate atleast 10 different ways/methods/tips to reduce your energy consumption.

2)Are building dams to generate hydro electricity a boon or bane.Discuss in elaborate your argument.

3)What is geo thermal energy?Explain the methods by which energy is harnessed using it.

4) Do a case study on Sariska Tiger Reserve Rajasthan.

5)Visit the biogas/biofuel plant in the campus.Write in detail how it is generated giving emphasis on the technology part.

BLOCK 3

Assignment set 11)Write short notes on:

i)Endemic species

ii)Endangered species

iii)Rare species

2)Categorise the following into in-situ and ex-situ approaches of biodiversity conservation

1)Botanical garden

2)Wild life sancturies

3)Gene bank

4)Biospehre reserves

5)Sacred forests/lakes

6)Pollen banks

7)Tissue culture

8)Cryo preservation

3)Write a short note on Beej Bachao Andolan(Save the Seeds Movement)

4)The preservation of biodiversity is for the good of mankind . Discuss the statement with reference to various values associated with biodiversity

5)The world Summit on Sustainable Development was held in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa, to achieve a significant reduction in current rate of biodiversity at global , regional and local level by 2010.

Elaborate on the finer objectives of the summit and analyse if these objectives have been acheived.If not , what is the current status?

Assignment set 21)What are hotspots of biodiversity?List the criteria for determining a particular place as hotspot.Mention any five hotspots of India.

2) Differntiate between

i) Genetic diversity and Species diversity

ii) Keystone species and endangered species

3)Explain the concept of biosphere reserves citing examples

4)Biodiversity has various benefits to mankind -Discuss

5)Do a case study of crocodile conservation in India

BLOCK 4

Assignment set 11) What is land degradation and what are the causes for land degradation?

2) Prepare a table for Indian ambient air quality standards.

3) Prepare a table with detail of name of major water pollutants, their sources and its

effects on human health.4)Assume you are an expert in IT and communications.You are also given the authority to protect and create awarness about environment. How will you use your expertise in acheiving the aforesaid goals?

5)Briefly explain the theories of population.

Assignment set 21) Give the drinking water quality standards as per ISI

2)Define noise pollution and tabulate acceptable noise levels for residential areas as per

I.S. code3) Write the functions of Central and State pollution control boards.

4)Discuss the methods of solid waste disposal

5)What are the major pollution sources of the river Ganges and explain the measures taken by both the central and state government of India to rectify/clean it.

BLOCK 5

Assignment set 11)What is EIA. Do a EIA of the chemistry lab present in your campus.

2)Ennumerate the issues in legalisation of the environmental acts in India

3)What are climate change and global warming and how are they related?

4)If you are the head of an education organisation , what would be the environmental policy of your organisation be?

5)Do a case study of nuclear accident that occurred in Soviet Submaine K-431 on August 10, 1985.

Assignment set 21) What is Kyoto protocol and what can it do to curb climate change?Why won't the US ratify the Kyoto protocol?

2)Discuss about the pros and cons of the Kundakulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu.Is the plant really necessary? Justify your answer.

3) What are ozone depleting substances? Make a table of all the listed susbstances and rate them according to their effect on ozozne layer.

4)List down all the environmental acts/laws under Indian Constitution.

5)Make an environmental calendar of activities to create public awarness, and discuss the methods you would adopt to implement them.