Environment & Ecology: A Digital Exploration

1.1 Definitions: Environment, Ecology, Ecosystem. 1.2 Categories and Components of Environment: Biotic and Abiotic Factors. 1.3 Features and Types of Environment.

2.1 Definition and Structure of Ecosystems. 2.2 Functions of Ecosystems. 2.3 Dynamics Within Ecosystems. 2.4 Energy Flow: Food Chains and Food Webs, Trophic Levels. 2.5 Ecological Pyramids. 2.6 Biogeochemical Cycles. 2.7 Types of Ecosystems: Terrestrial and Aquatic (e.g., Coral Reefs, Wetlands). 2.8 Ecological Succession. 2.9 Biotic Interactions. 2.10 Ecological Adaptations. 2.11 Productivity in Ecosystems. 2.12 Threats to Ecosystems. 2.13 Concept of Green GDP.

3.1 Definition and Significance of Biodiversity. 3.2 Levels and Patterns of Biodiversity (How biodiversity varies in India). 3.3 Biodiversity in India: Flora, Fauna, Indian Wildlife Diversity, Natural Habitats. 3.4 Biodiversity Hotspots.

4.1 Causes of Biodiversity Losses and Threats to Wildlife. 4.2 Consequences of Loss of Biodiversity. 4.3 Invasive Alien Species. 4.4 Significance of Biodiversity Conservation. 4.5 Way Forward for Biodiversity Conservation. 4.6 Importance of People's Participation in Conservation.

5.1 Biological Diversity Act, 2002. 5.2 Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021. 5.3 Other Relevant Environmental Laws and Policies in India.

6.1 Introduction to Environmental Pollution. 6.2 Types of Pollution: Air, Water, Soil, Noise, Radioactive, E-waste. 6.3 Causes, Sources, and Impacts of different types of pollution. 6.4 Acid Rain. 6.5 Pollutants and Trophic Levels.

7.1 Remedies for Pollution. 7.2 Bio-remediation. 7.3 Solid Waste Management. 7.4 Management and Handling of Hazardous Wastes. 7.5 Water Pollution Control and Management (e.g., National Water Policy, River Ganges example, Namami Ganga Program). 7.6 Air Quality Management. 7.7 Noise Pollution Control. 7.8 Government Initiatives and Policies for Pollution Control.

8.1 Basics of Climate Change and Global Warming. 8.2 Causes and Impacts of Climate Change. 8.3 Carbon Sequestration.

9.1 UNFCCC. 9.2 Kyoto Protocol. 9.3 Paris Agreement. 9.4 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 9.5 REDD+. 9.6 COP (Conference of Parties) - Dynamic: Discuss recent COPs and their outcomes. 9.7 Other Global Climate Issues.

10.1 India's Stance on International Climate Issues. 10.2 Climate Change Initiatives by India. 10.3 Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources.

11.1 Conservation Strategies. 11.2 In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation.

12.1 National Parks. 12.2 Wildlife Sanctuaries. 12.3 Biosphere Reserves and World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). 12.4 Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves. 12.5 Eco Sensitive Areas.

13.1 Government Initiatives for Biodiversity Conservation. 13.2 Project Tiger. 13.3 Elephant Census. 13.4 Crocodile Conservation Project. 13.5 Great Indian Bustard Conservation. 13.6 Funga: Recognition and Conservation. 13.7 Other Conservation Initiatives.

14.1 Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention), Ramsar Sites, Montreux Record. 14.2 CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). 14.3 Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS). 14.4 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). 14.5 Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC). 14.6 Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes. 14.7 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. 14.8 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. 14.9 UN Convention to Combat Desertification. 14.10 Rio Summit (UNCED) and its Outcomes (Agenda 21, CBD, UNFCCC). 14.11 Minamata Convention on Mercury.

15.1 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 15.2 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and its Categories. 15.3 Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). 15.4 World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). 15.5 Other Relevant Organisations.

16.1 Earth Hour. 16.2 International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). 16.3 State of the Rhino Report. 16.4 Other Global Initiatives.

17.1 Relationship between Agriculture and Environment. 17.2 Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Practices. 17.3 Sustainable Agriculture. 17.4 Organic Farming (Sikkim as the first 'Organic State').

18.1 Environmental Economics. 18.2 Sustainable Development. 18.3 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

19.1 Overlap areas in UPSC Syllabus. 19.2 Environmental Geography topics relevant for UPSC.

20.1 Environmental Biotechnology. 20.2 Role of Technology in Environmental Conservation and Pollution Control.

21.1 Environmental Factors contributing to Disasters. 21.2 Role of Environment in Disaster Mitigation and Management.

22.1 Species in News. 22.2 Environmental Policies and Initiatives in News (India and Global). 22.3 Major Environmental Events and Summits. 22.4 Important Reports and Indices Related to Environment. 22.5 Environmental Issues highlighted in Newspapers and Magazines. 22.6 Updates on International Agreements and Conventions.

23.1 Importance of Analyzing PYQs. 23.2 Year-wise Trend Analysis (Prelims and Mains weightage). 23.3 Topic-wise Analysis and High-Yield Areas. 23.4 Repeated Themes. 23.5 Understanding Question Framing and Difficulty Level.

24.1 Solving Previous Year Questions (Prelims MCQs and Mains Descriptive Questions). Sample Questions and Model Answers. 24.2 Practice MCQs for Prelims. 24.3 Answer Writing Practice for Mains. 24.4 Attempting Mock Tests and Test Series.

25.1 Understanding the Syllabus. 25.2 Recommended Study Material (NCERTs, Standard Books, Current Affairs Sources). 25.3 Making Notes. 25.4 Regular Revision Techniques. 25.5 Integrating Static and Dynamic Content. 25.6 Overlap with other Subjects. 25.7 Time Management during Exam.