Environmental Geosciences and Restoration Ecology

Paper Code: 
ENV 124
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to-

  1. Become aware of the degradation of the earth and methods of Ecological restoration
  2. Understand geological systems in a better way

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

Learning outcomes

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment

Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

ENV 124

Environmental Geosciences and Restoration Ecology

Upon completion of the course, students will:

CO19:  Develop geologic knowledge to maximize the utilization of all natural resources and minimize their degradation

CO20: Develop geological methods to minimize the destructive potential of natural processes

CO21: Evaluate the ability to integrate and apply knowledge for interpreting the plate tectonics and hazard zonation maps

CO22: Critically evaluate current events and public information related to natural hazards

CO23: Evaluate the principles underlying restoration ecology and ecological restoration in local, national and global contexts

CO24: Design various scientific methods that can be applied in geological sciences

 

Approach in teaching:

Guest lectures, Multimedia presentations, Video presentations, Group discussions

Learning activities for the students:

Model/Poster Making, Debates, Simulation, Case studies, Field activities

Interactive Lectures, Google Quiz, Power Point Presentation, Map preparation, Assignment, Class test, Semester End Examination

 

10.00
Unit I: 
Basic Concepts of Geosciences
  • Environmental Geosciences- fundamental concept
  • Origin of Universe: Big Bang Theory, Steady State theory, Pulsating Universe theory
  • Major division of geological time
  • Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift

 

20.00
Unit II: 
Geosciences and Earth Systems
  • Earth system and biosphere
  • Interrelationship of various earth systems-geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere
  • Climate of India, Indian monsoon
  • Climate of Rajasthan
  • El-nino and La-nina
  • Drought
  • Tropical cyclones and western disturbances

 

20.00
Unit III: 
Earth Process and Geological Hazards
  • Earth Processes: Cycle in the earth system
  • Catastrophic Geological Hazards
    • Floods
    • Landslides
    • Earthquakes
    • Volcanoes
    • Avalanche

 

 

10.00
Unit IV: 
Ecological Restoration
  • Concept and Need for Restoration
  • Principles and guidelines of Restoration

 

15.00
Unit V: 
Planning and Implementation of Ecological Restoration
  • National and International restoration projects
  • Steps for restoration: Developing the Plan; Implementation, Monitoring and Reporting     
Essential Readings: 

ESSENTIAL READINGS

  • Siddhartha, K. (2018). The Earth’s Dynamic Surface-A book of Geomorphology. Kitab Mahal, Allahabad.
  • Singh, S. (2006). Physical Geography. Pravalika Publications, Allahabad.
  • Keller, E.A. (2011). Introduction to Environmental Geology (5th edition). Pearson Prentice Hall.
  • Krishnan, M. S. (1982). Geology of India and Burma. CBS Publishers and Distributors.
  • Margaret A. Palmer, Joy B. Zedler, and Donald A. Falk (2016). Foundations of Restoration Ecology. Island Press, Washington DC
  • Holl Karen D. (2020) The Primer of Ecological Restoration. Island Press, Washington DC

SUGGESTED READINGS

  • Hudson, T. (2017). Living with Earth: An Introduction to Environmental Geology. Routledge.
  • Duff, P. M. D., and Duff, D. (Eds.). (1993). Holmes' Principles of Physical Geology. Taylor and Francis.
  • Gupta, A. K., Anderson, D. M., Pandey, D. N., and Singhvi, A. K. (2006). Adaptation and human migration, and evidence of agriculture coincident with changes in the Indian summer monsoon during the Holocene. Current Science 90: 1082-1090.
  • Leeder, M., and Arlucea, M.P. (2005). Physical Processes in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Blackwell Publishing.
  • Pelletier, J. D. (2008). Quantitative Modeling of Earth Surface Processes (Vol. 304). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Chicago

 

References: 

e- RESOURCES

 JOURNALS

  • Environmental Geosciences Journal
  • Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences
  • Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection
  • Restoration Ecology
  • Ecological Restoration
  • Ecology and Society

 

Academic Year: 
2022-2023
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