Grade 9

Introduction
Our main environmental problems.
(i) Understanding ecosystems - threats and conservation measures.
(ii) Resource depletion.
(iii) Waste generation.
(iv) Economic disparities.
(v) Land use.
Basic Ecology
(i) Biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
(ii) Food chain, food web and trophic levels.
(iii) Ecological niche, habitat and microhabitat.
(iv) Succession.
(v) Ecotypes.
(vi) Flow of energy through an ecosystem.
(vii) Concept of species.
(viii) Extinction of species.
(ix) Introduced species.
(x) Endemic species.
(xi) Keystone species.
(xii) Kinds of ecosystems.
Conservation of Ecosystems
(i) Conservation strategies:
- Species approach including CITES.
- Ecosystem approach including formation of National parks, sanctuaries and Biosphere reserves.
- Wildlife management.
(ii) Value of bio-diversity.
Dynamics of Development and Resource Use Understanding Development
(i) People as resources.
(ii) Impact of scale and kind of technology on resources.
(iii) Urbanization and its impact.
(iv) Ecological footprint of a city.
(v) Population (questioning Malthus, carrying capacity).
(vi) Poverty.
Understanding Land Use
(i) Agriculture
(a) Traditional farming methods.
(b) Traditional varieties and their adaptability
to local environments.
(c) The impact of green revolution practices.
(d) Food scarcity in the midst of plenty.
(ii) Towards a world without hunger
(a) Introduction to new and old organic farming practices.
- Do nothing farming – Fukuoka.
- Biodynamic farming - Rudolph Steiner.
- Permaculture – Mollison.
- Integrated farming practices.
- Low Input Sustainable Agriculture [LISA]
(b) Assessment of Biotechnology.
(c) Global food security, food aid.