BASIC ECOLOGY

This course provides a foundation for understanding the interaction of living organisms and their environments. It examines the complex interrelationships between autecology and synecological species in their environments. The course helps the students to justify the existence of biodiversity in the various ecosystems and the associated abiotic environments (edaphic and climatic). The linkage of human populations with the natural resources is discussed with relevance to sustainable development and use of renewable resources. The students are introduced to the Millennium Development Goals and poverty reduction tools and methods of strategic environment assessment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        By the end of this course, learners should be able to;

1. Understand the abiotic environments: edaphic and climatic factors.
2. Examine ways in which organisms interact directly and indirectly with their physical environment, and with each other.
3. Discuss the key principles and concepts in ecological energetics and nutrient cycles
4. Food web and population dynamics of organisms in various ecosystems

  5. Apply knowledge and skills acquired in ecology to the conservation of our environment and its resources