GATE Ecology and Evolution Applied Ecology & Evolution Syllabus

Applied Ecology & Evolution syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Applied Ecology & Evolution in GATE Ecology and Evolution, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Biodiversity and Conservation

   7 topics

   • Importance of conserving biodiversity
   • Ecosystem services
   • Threats to biodiversity
   • Invasive species
   • In-situ conservation
     • Endemism
     • Biodiversity hotspots
     • Protected areas
   • Ex-situ conservation
   • Conservation genetics
     • Genetic diversity
     • Inbreeding depression
     • DNA fingerprinting
     • DNA barcoding
2. 2

   Disease Ecology and Evolution

   4 topics

   • Epidemiology
   • Zoonotic diseases
   • Antibiotic resistance
   • Vector Control
3. 3

   Plant and Animal Breeding

   2 topics

   • Marker assisted breeding
   • Genetic basis of economically important traits
4. 4

   Global Climate Change

   3 topics

   • Causes
   • Consequences
   • Mitigation

Applied Ecology & Evolution flashcards for GATE Ecology and Evolution

19 of 50 cards from the Applied Ecology & Evolution deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Define biodiversity and name its three principal levels of organization.

   Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life at all levels. Its three levels are: (1) genetic diversity (within species), (2) species diversity (between species), and (3) ecosystem (community/habitat) diversity.

2. List the four broad utilitarian/ethical reasons commonly cited for conserving biodiversity.

   (1) Narrowly utilitarian (direct economic products: food, medicine, timber), (2) Broadly utilitarian (ecosystem services: $\ce{O2}$, pollination, climate regulation), (3) Ethical/intrinsic value of all species, and (4) Aesthetic, cultural and recreational value.

3. What are ecosystem services? Give the four standard categories used by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.

   Ecosystem services are benefits humans obtain from ecosystems. The four categories are: provisioning (food, water, timber), regulating (climate, flood, disease control), supporting (nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production), and cultural (recreational, spiritual, aesthetic) services.

4. Which ecosystem-service category does pollination by insects fall under, and why is it economically significant?

   Pollination is a regulating (and supporting) service. It underpins reproduction of a large fraction of crop and wild plant species, making it essential to agricultural yield and food security.

5. Name 'The Evil Quartet' — the four major anthropogenic causes of biodiversity loss.

   (1) Habitat loss and fragmentation, (2) Over-exploitation, (3) Invasive (alien) species introductions, and (4) Co-extinctions.

6. Which of the Evil Quartet is considered the single most important cause of species extinction?

   Habitat loss and fragmentation — most notably tropical deforestation (e.g., destruction of the Amazon rainforest).

7. What is a co-extinction? Give an example.

   Co-extinction is the loss of a species that depends on another species that goes extinct. Example: when a host fish goes extinct its obligate parasites also disappear; or extinction of a plant eliminates its specialist pollinator.

8. Define an invasive (alien) species.

   An invasive species is a non-native (introduced/exotic) organism that establishes, spreads, and causes ecological or economic harm in its new range, often by out-competing, preying on, or displacing native species.

9. Give two classic examples of invasive species causing biodiversity damage and the harm each caused.

   (1) Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) — clogs waterbodies and causes oxygen depletion; (2) Nile perch introduced into Lake Victoria — drove extinction of ~200 native cichlid fish species. (Also: Lantana, African catfish Clarias gariepinus in India.)

10. What traits typically make a species a successful invader?

    High reproductive rate, rapid dispersal, broad environmental tolerance (generalist), fast growth, lack of natural predators/parasites in the new range, and ability to out-compete natives for resources.

11. Distinguish in-situ from ex-situ conservation.

    In-situ conservation protects species within their natural habitats (national parks, sanctuaries, hotspots). Ex-situ conservation protects species outside their natural habitats (zoos, botanical gardens, gene/seed banks, cryopreservation).

12. List at least four major methods/sites of in-situ conservation.

    Biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biodiversity hotspots, sacred groves, and community/conservation reserves.

13. Define endemism / an endemic species.

    Endemism is the restriction of a species (or taxon) to a particular geographic area and nowhere else on Earth. Such a species is said to be endemic to that region.

14. Why are oceanic islands and isolated mountains often centres of high endemism?

    Geographic isolation limits gene flow and immigration, so populations diverge in situ (allopatric speciation) and the resulting species are confined to that isolated area, producing many narrow-range endemics.

15. What two criteria must a region satisfy to be designated a biodiversity hotspot (Myers' criteria)?

    (1) It must contain at least $1500$ endemic vascular plant species ($\geq 0.5\%$ of the world total), and (2) it must have lost at least $70\%$ of its original primary vegetation (i.e., be highly threatened).

16. How many biodiversity hotspots are currently recognized worldwide, and which ones include parts of India?

    There are about $36$ recognized global biodiversity hotspots. Four include parts of India: the Himalaya, the Western Ghats–Sri Lanka, the Indo-Burma region, and Sundaland (Nicobar Islands).

17. Although hotspots cover a tiny land area, what fraction of endemic species do they harbour?

    The hotspots collectively cover roughly $2.3\%$ of Earth's land surface yet contain a very high concentration of endemics — historically credited with holding on the order of $\sim 50\%$ of endemic plants and large fractions of endemic vertebrates.

18. Differentiate a national park from a wildlife sanctuary in the Indian protected-area system.

    In a national park, no human activity, grazing, or private tenure rights are permitted and boundaries are fixed by law. In a wildlife sanctuary, some regulated human activities (e.g., grazing, collection of minor produce) may be allowed and protection focuses on particular species.

19. What is a biosphere reserve and what are its three functional zones?

    A biosphere reserve is a large protected area for conserving whole ecosystems plus their genetic and cultural resources. Its zones are: (1) core zone (legally protected, no human interference), (2) buffer zone (limited research/education), and (3) transition/manipulation zone (human settlements and sustainable use).

See more Applied Ecology & Evolution flashcards →

Planning Applied Ecology & Evolution for GATE Ecology and Evolution

Applied Ecology & Evolution (GATE Ecology and Evolution) FAQ