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Question banks on Ecology: Compiled by Dr. S.K.

Maiti
1 - Mark
(i). Osmotrophs & Phagotrophs
(ii). Ecads & Ecotype
(iii). Detritus food chain & grazing food chain
(iv). Hysteresis & Malleaility
(v). Elasticity & !mplitude
(vi). Primary & secondary productivity
(vii). "ross primary production & net primary production
(viii). Energy flo# pattern in grassland ecosystem & forest ecosystem
(i$). Ecological Efficiency: %indeman&s efficiency
($). 'eserve pool & e$change pool
($i). (urnover rate and turnover time
($ii). )itrification & denitrifications
($iii). !mmonitication & *i$ation of !mmonia
($iv). +ymiotic & asymiotic nitrogen fi$ation
($v). ,olour less +ulphur acteria & Purple + acteria
($vi). +ulphate 'educing -acteria (+-') & chemosynthetic sulphur acteria
($vii). )utrient cycling in the tropics & temperate region
($viii). +teno. & eury species
($i$). +patial niche & tropic niche
($$). )iche readth & niche overlap
($$i). Predation & parasitism
($$ii). !mensalism & commensalisms
($$iii). )eutralism & Mutualis
($$iv). Protocooperation & sysmiosis
($$v). ,ro#n cover & asal cover
($$vi). Ecads & Ecotype
($$vii). "ene level & species level iodiversity
($$viii). Margalef/s inde$ & Menhini0 inde$
($$i$). +impson/s & +hannon inde$
($$$). +hannon inde$ & +hannon/s E1uitaility inde$
($$$i). "uilds & 0eystone species
($$$ii). *orcing function & state variales
($$$iii). 2et deserts
($$$iv). %indeman&s efficiency
($$$v). ,O3 sin0 y Ocean
($$$vi). Ecological e1uivalents
Lec- 1: Ecology Ecosystem
Enumerate the different structural and functional components of ecosystem. Dra# an outline of a natural
alanced ecosystem.
Descrie different components of forest ecosystem. Ho# to study these components. 42hy all ecological
pyramids are not upright4 . e$plain #ith suitale e$amples.
Enumerate the different structural and functional components of a terrestrial ecosystem5 Or6 Enumerate
the different structural and functional components of an a1uatic ecosystem5
4Decomposers acts as important link between biotic and abiotic components4 7ustify statements.
Define with examples of the following terms8
(ropic level6
*ood chain
*ood 2e
"razzing and detritus food chain
9nertia and resilience properties of ecosystem
Environmental significance of food chain study.
Ecosystem inertia reliance
Homeostasis of Ecosystem
)egative & positive feedac0
+taility & inertia
'esilience property of ecosystem
Hysteresis & Malleaility
Elasticity & !mplitude
!ragile ecosystem
2hat is fragile ecosystem5
2hat are the criteria used for determining fragile or sensitive ecosystem5
,ritical indicators for desertic ecosystem.
:Himalayan ecosystem is ecologically very fragile; < 7ustify your ans#er.
Distinguish et#een a fragile ecosystem and a stale ecosystem.
)ame fe# fragile ecosystems in 9ndia.
Energy "lo#
Define primary productivity and secondary productivity5 Ho# to measure productivity of an a1uatic
ecosystem5
Primary and secondary productivity
Descrie energy flo# pattern in an ecosystem y using o$.pipe model.
Ho# to calculate ecological efficiency.
4+tudy of energy flo# in ecosystems gives a complete understanding of functioning of an ecosystem4.
e$plain.
Discuss the process of measuring primary productivity in terrestrial and a1uatic ecosystems5
$iogeoc%emical cycles
Define io.geo.chemical cycles5 'eserve pool & e$change pool=
%ist the essential plant nutrients re1uired for plant gro#th and their availale forms.
(a) Nitrogen cycle
Discuss the impacts of deforestation on nitrogen cycle.
Environmental significance of ).cycle.
Write shortnotes on-
Mineralisation
)itrification
)itrification & denitrification
%ist the nitrogen fi$ing organisms (4 + 4 + 2)
Carbon cycle
9mpacts on caron cycle viz. "reen house effects.
,aron cycle and green house effect.
Outline the ,.cycle and discuss its importance in the light of green.house effect.
Enumerate the gloal caron cycle= "ive an account of caron sources and sin0 against the atmospheric
,O3 concentration of udget of >?@ ppmv.
9mportance of sulfur cycle an environmental engineer.= cro#n corrosion in se#erage pipe.
!tmospheric flu$ of sulphur
Microial transformation of sulphur under aroic and anaeroic environment.
Outline the sulphur cycle
Law of minimum, habitat niche
%a# of minimum & +elford/s la# of tolerance
Ecological indicator
+teno. & eury species
-iological cloc0
Multi.dimensional or hyper <volume niche
)iche readth & niche overlap
+patial niche & tropic niche
Ecological e1uivalents
&opulation ecology
%ist the important characteristics of a population.
)ame the ma7or attriutes of an ecological population. ,omment on the e$ponential and sigmoid gro#th
curves. Descrie the density.dependent regulation of population.
)ame the ma7or attriutes of an ecological population. ,omment on the e$ponential and sigmoid gro#th
curves. Descrie the density.dependent regulation of population. 4+!+4"1#
2hat is iotic potential5 Ho# iotic potential is calculate.
2rite the e$pression of population gro#th in limited environmental resources condition.
9f the annual gro#th rate is ABC6 calculate the douling time.
,alculate the specific gro#th rate if ABB protozoans increased to 3BB after 3 hours.
2hat are the differences et#een minimum mortality and ecological mortality.
%ist the important negative population interactions and discuss #ith an e$ample.
2hat is the difference et#een niche and haitat.
2hat is r and 0 selection.
Predation & parasitism
+ymiosis and mutalisms.
Community ecology
%ist the important 1uantitaive characteristics of community study.
Write shortnotes on-
Density and relative density
,ro#n cover and asal cover
*re1uency and relative fre1uency
+pecies area curve method.
Out.line the different ecological sampling method used for plant community study.
Enumerate the different parameters used for 1uantitative characterization of plant communities.
Ecological succession
Define the term ecosystem development5
Write shortnotes on -
Primary succession and secondary succession
+ere and clima$
Difference et#een monoclima$ and polyclima$
!utotropic and heterotropic succession.
,lima$ concept in ecological succession.
$iodi'ersity
Define -iodiversity. Discuss the ma7or steps ta0en to conserve 9ndian -iodiversity.
E$plain the +hannon.2eaver 9nde$ and the +impson inde$ for io.diversity assessment.
Enumerate the different indices used for iodiversity assessment. 2hy iodiversity is very high in
tropical rain forest5 2hy iodiversity must e preserved5
'ed.data oo0 species.
'are6 endangered6 threatened and endemic species
.6 .6 Diversity8
Margalef/s inde$ & Menhini0 inde$
+impson/s and +hannon inde$
+impson/s inde$ for finite and infinite samples.
-erger par0er & -rillounin inde$
+hannon inde$ & +hannon E1uitaility inde$
*actors causing species diversity
,ompare the effectiveness of different indices used for iodiversity assessment.
,alculate +impson/s and +hannon inde$ of diversity for the follo#ing oservation. !lso calculate +hannon
E1uitaility inde$ (EH) or evenness inde$.
(ree species )umer of individuals
! ABB
- ?B
, >B
D 3B
E A
(otal ()) 3BA
,alculate -rillounin inde$ & +hannon inde$ of diversity for the follo#ing oservations. !lso calculate +hannon
E1uitaility inde$ (EH) or evenness inde$.
+pecies 9ndividual in com A 9ndividual in com 3
a > ?
> ?
c > ?
d > ?
e > ?
Hs A.DBE A.DBE
H- A.3D> A.>D3
,alculate -erger par0er inde$ & +imson/s inde$ of diversity
+pecies 9ndividuals per species
,ommunity A ,ommunity 3
a AB ?
AB ?
c AB ?
d AB ?
e AB ?
f AB ?
g AB ?
h AB ?
i AB ?
7 AB ??
Total number of individuals
ABB ABB
Total number of species
AB AB
Estimate similarity et#een t#o sites y using ,ze0ano#s0i inde$6 Faccard inde$6 +orensen/s coefficient and
Euclidean inde$.
+pecies +ite ! +ite -
! >? A?
- ? AB
, >? @B
D 3? 3B
E B A?
()uatic ecology
(a) Discuss the light and temperature stratification in a lentic haitat.
() Discuss the phenomena of light and temperature stratification in a lentic haitat. 2hat #ill the impact
of thermal discharge on the lentic haitat5
(c) ,alculate the depth of compensation level6 #hen 0 G B.BA6 9oG >BB gcalHm
3
Hday (assume that a
minimum of ABC incident solar radiation is needed for effective photosynthesis).
(d) %ist the different types of life. forms found in a1uatic haitats.
"ive an outline of the zonation of Marine ecosystem.
*o+icology
2hat are the differences et#een acute and chronic to$icity test5 Ho# to select test organisms for to$icity
test5 Ho# to conduct acute to$icity test in the laoratory.
(a) !cute and chronic to$icity test.
() 9mportances of (o$icity test.
(c) 'ange.finding and definitive to$icity test.
(d) !dvantage and disadvantages of static to$icity test.
%,?B and E,?B.
(Ia and (Ic
2hat are the four zones in the 2hipple6 *air and 2hipple medel5 Define the zones y e$plaining #hat
happens in each zone once the iodegradale #aste is discharged.
Eutrop%ication
2hy nitrogen and phosphorus are the main nutrients cause eutrophication process5
2hat are the indicators of eutrophication process. Ho# la0e are classified ased on eutrophication.
(ropic status inde$ ((+9).
"ive an outline of the 0inetics of eutrophication process.
)umerical8
JA. ! la0e #ith surface area e1ual to KB $ AB
D
m
3
is fed y a stream having an average flo# of A? m
>
Hsec
and average total phosphorus concentration of B.BAmgH%. 9n addition6 treated effluent from a
#aste#ater treatment plant adds B.3m
>
Hsec of flo# having ? mgH% total phosphorus. (assume
phosphorus settling rate is estimated at 10m/year!
,alculate phosphorus concentration in la0e and determine #hether the la0e #ill face eutrophication
prolems or not5. 9f yes6#hat level of phosphorus removal at the treatment plant #ould e re1uired
to 0eep the average la0e concentration elo# B.BA mgH%5
J3. ,onsider a la0e #ith ABB $ AB
D
m
3
of surface area for #hich the only source of phosphorus is the
effluent from a #aste#ater treatment plant. (he effluent flo# rate and its phosphorus concentration
is AB mgH%. (he la0e is also fed y a natural stream having 3B m>Hsec of flo# #ith no phosphorus.
(assume phosphorus settling rate is estimated to be 10m/ year!
Estimate the average phosphorus concentration in the la0e. 2hat level of phosphorus removal at the
treatment plant #ould e re1uired to 0eep the average la0e concentration elo# B.BA mgH%5
Pesticides and bioaccumulation
UNIT-4: Landscape ecology (2 question: 12 x 2
Ho# the ecology differ from %andscape ecology5
Enumerate ho# emergence of %andscape ecology no# solving road.scale environmental issues.
2hy %andscape ecology is important to 'esource manager5
Define landscape ecology in ecology6 #ildlife and management perspectives.
Enumerate the structural and functional elements of %andscape ecology.
E$plain Patch6 ,orridor and Matri$ elements in the conte$t of %andscape ecology.
2hat is disturance regime5 %ist the types and origin of disturance agents.
Discuss the role of disturance in ecosystem and %andscape.
Enumerate Millennium Development "oals (MD"s) proposed under Inited )ations Millenium
Declarations.
Enumerate ecosystem management strategy those could e developed for a pro7ect.
Discuss the important principles considered for ecosystem management. 2hat is ecosystem auditing5
)arrate the important elements considered for ecosystem auditing.
UNIT-!: "#$%& '%&L( )*%+,+T)" (1 question: 12 ma-.
/o0 'o-ld ma1o- ecosystem complexes a-e -an.ed2
3-ie4ly elabo-ate t5e c5a-acte-istics6 laye-ing and 5uman uses o4 T-opical -ain 4o-est7
3-ie4ly discuss t5e c5a-acte-istics6 types and 5uman impacts and economic uses o4 g-assland
ecosystem7
Discuss the light and temperature stratification in a lentic haitat.
Discuss the phenomena of light and temperature stratification in a lentic haitat. 2hat #ill the impact of
thermal discharge on the lentic haitat5
%ist the different types of life. forms found in a1uatic haitats.
"ive an outline of the zonation of Marine ecosystem.
'5at a-e t5e unique c5a-acte-istics o4 estua-ine ecosystem2
Unit-2: 3iogeo-c5emical cycling ( 1 question: 12 ma-.s
Define io.geo.chemical cycles5 'eserve pool & e$change pool=
Discuss the impacts of deforestation on nitrogen cycle.
Environmental significance of ).cycle.
9mpacts on caron cycle viz. "reen house effects.
Outline the ,.cycle and discuss its importance in the light of green.house effect.
Enumerate the gloal caron cycle= "ive an account of caron sources and sin0 against the atmospheric
,O3 concentration of udget of >?@ ppmv.
9mportance of sulfur cycle an environmental engineer.
cro#n corrosion in se#erage pipe.
!tmospheric flu$ of sulphur
Microial transformation of sulphur under aroic and anaeroic environment.
Outline the sulphur cycle
Law of minimum, habitat niche
%a# of minimum & +elford/s la# of tolerance
Ecological indicator
+teno. & eury species
-iological cloc0
Multi.dimensional or hyper <volume niche
)iche readth & niche overlap
+patial niche & tropic niche
Ecological e1uivalents
P-inciples pe-taining to Limiting dacto-s
3-ie4ly explain t5e IP#T equation7 Name ot5e- di44e-ent scales o4 measu-ement o4 +ustanability7
'5at is ca--ying capacity2 )xplain 8- and &- selection7 3-ie4ly discuss 5o0 8- and &- selection
a-e applied on 5uman ca--ying capacity p-o1ectionn in t5e 'o-ld7
,nit: -. )uestions: . + 1. marks
Lec- 1: Ecology Ecosystem
Enumerate the different structural and functional components of ecosystem. Dra# an outline of a natural
alanced ecosystem.
Descrie different components of forest ecosystem. Ho# to study these components5. 42hy all ecological
pyramids are not upright4 . e$plain #ith suitale e$amples.
Enumerate the different structural and functional components of a terrestrial ecosystem5
Or6 Enumerate the different structural and functional components of an a1uatic ecosystem5
4Decomposers acts as important link between biotic and abiotic components4 7ustify statements.
Define with examples of the following terms8
(ropic level6
*ood chain
*ood 2e
"razzing and detritus food chain
9nertia and resilience properties of ecosystem
Environmental significance of food chain study.
Ecosystem inertia reliance
Homeostasis of Ecosystem
)egative & positive feedac0
+taility & inertia
'esilience property of ecosystem
Hysteresis & Malleaility
Elasticity & !mplitude
!ragile ecosystem
2hat is fragile ecosystem5
2hat are the criteria used for determining fragile or sensitive ecosystem5
,ritical indicators for desertic ecosystem.
:Himalayan ecosystem is ecologically very fragile; < 7ustify your ans#er.
Distinguish et#een a fragile ecosystem and a stale ecosystem.
)ame fe# fragile ecosystems in 9ndia.
Energy "lo#
Define primary productivity and secondary productivity5 Ho# to measure productivity of an a1uatic
ecosystem5
Primary and secondary productivity
Descrie energy flo# pattern in an ecosystem y using o$.pipe model.
Ho# to calculate ecological efficiency.
4+tudy of energy flo# in ecosystems gives a complete understanding of functioning of an ecosystem4.
e$plain.
Discuss the process of measuring primary productivity in terrestrial and a1uatic ecosystems5

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