BLOCK 1

Assignment set 1
1)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 plants
Organism

Population density
(number/m2)

Mean induvidual
mass (g)

Feeding habit

Cabbage plants

30

40

Autotrphic

Aphids

4400

0.02

Feed on contents of
cabbage phloem

Butterfly larvae

20

0.15

Feed on cabbage leaves

Lady birds

20

0.14

Feed on aphids

Hoverflies

Not recorded

Not recorded

Feed on aphids

Lacewings

Not recorded

Not recorded

Feed on aphids

Apantales

Not recorded

Too small to record

Live 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
Natural gas
Coal
Uranium
Biomass
Hydropower
Geothermal, solar
Propane

34.49Q
23.36Q
19.76Q
8.35Q
3.88Q
2.68Q
1.18Q
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 1
1)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 2
1)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 1
1) 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 2
1) 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. code
3) 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 1
1)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 2
1) 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.