Environment & Ecology — Topic Index
Every UPSC Prelims topic of Environment & Ecology in book order. Open a macro category to see its micro topics. Each micro topic has an at-a-glance box, a full explanation, key terms, a Mains angle, FAQs and practice questions.
- 20 macro categories
- 261 micro topics
- 261 published
-
1
Basic Concepts of Ecology
Origin of Life Forms and Life on Earth; Types and Scope of Ecology; Ecological Hierarchy; and 10 more. -
2
Ecosystem Structure and Function
Definition, Functions and Properties of an Ecosystem; Structure/Components of an Ecosystem: Abiotic and Biotic Components; Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem; and 5 more. -
3
Population Ecology and Species Interactions
Types of Species; Population Ecology and Population Growth Models; Methodology of Tiger Census and Lion Census; and 6 more. -
4
Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems
Terrestrial Ecosystems: Forest Ecosystem in India, Grasslands, Tundra, Deserts, Mountains; Aquatic Ecosystems and Factors Affecting Their Productivity; Freshwater Ecosystem; and 5 more. -
5
Nutrient Cycling (Biogeochemical Cycles)
Concept of Biogeochemical Cycle: Parts and Types; Carbon Cycle: Steps, Long-Term and Short-Term Cycles, Carbon as a Climate Buffer; Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle and Effects of High Greenhouse Gas Concentration; and 5 more. -
6
Biodiversity Basics and Classification
Definition and Types of Biodiversity (Genetic, Species, Ecosystem); Patterns of Biodiversity; Bio-Geographical Classification of the World; and 9 more. -
7
Threats to Biodiversity and Conservation Strategies
Causes of Biodiversity Loss; Effects of Loss of Biodiversity; Extinction of Species and Mass Extinction; and 8 more. -
8
Protected Area Network and Species-Based Conservation Programmes
National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves; Project Tiger; Project Elephant; and 9 more. -
9
Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems
Estuaries: Definition, Types, Importance and Threats; Major Estuaries in Indian Coastal States; Difference Between Lagoon and Estuary; and 10 more. -
10
Land, Forest and Soil Resources
Causes and Impact of Land Degradation; Desertification and Sustainable Land Management; Forest Survey of India (FSI) Definition of Forests and Types of Forest Cover; and 13 more. -
11
Water Resources and Water Pollution
Surface Water Resources and Groundwater Resources; Sources and Causes of Water Pollution; Measurement of Water Pollution; and 5 more. -
12
Energy Resources
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC); Tidal Energy and Wave Energy; Fuel Cells and Microbial Fuel Cells; and 10 more. -
13
Air, Marine, Noise and Other Pollution
Effects of Modern Agriculture, Housing, Power Generation, River Valley Projects, Mining, Transportation and Tourism on the Environment; Classification of Pollutants and Pollution Indicator Species; Mining and Its Environmental Impact: Direct and Indirect; and 19 more. -
14
Waste Management
Types of Solid Waste and Issues in Solid Waste Management in India; Waste Management Practices and Waste-to-Energy Technologies; Policy on Promotion of City Compost; and 6 more. -
15
Climate Change Basics and Causes
Definitions of Climate Change and Global Warming; Factors and Causes of Climate Change: Extra-Terrestrial, Terrestrial and Anthropogenic Sources; Urbanization and Climate Change: Urban Heat Island, Pollution in Metros; and 7 more. -
16
Climate Change Impacts and Mitigation
Impacts of Climate Change: Acid Rain, El Niño, La Niña, Ozone Depletion, Ocean Acidification; Global Warming and Human Health: Mosquito-Borne Diseases, Ozone Depletion Effects; Climate Change Mitigation: Carbon Sequestration and Carbon Sinks; and 1 more. -
17
Environmental Acts, Policies and EIA
Constitutional Provisions Related to Environment; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; and 12 more. -
18
International Environmental Governance and Conventions
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); IUCN Red List and Birdlife International; World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF); and 21 more. -
19
Environmental Institutions and Schemes in India
Pollution Control Boards (Central and State); National Green Tribunal; National Board for Wildlife; and 18 more. -
20
Protected Areas Lists and Recent Developments in Environment
National Parks, Tiger Reserves and Elephant Reserves of India; MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants) Sites in India; Biosphere Reserves in India and in UNESCO's World Network; and 22 more.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Environment & Ecology section on MaargX UPSC cover?
It covers Environment & Ecology for UPSC Prelims in 20 macro categories and 261 micro topics, starting with Basic Concepts of Ecology, Ecosystem Structure and Function, Population Ecology and Species Interactions, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems, Nutrient Cycling (Biogeochemical Cycles). Each topic is a separate explainer.
How is the Environment & Ecology index organised?
The index is organised in book order. Each macro category groups related micro topics, and each micro topic has its own page with an at-a-glance box, a full explanation, key terms, a Mains angle, FAQs and practice questions.
How many Environment & Ecology topics are published?
261 of 261 topics are published across 20 macro categories. Unpublished topics are marked as coming soon and turn into links when their explainers go live.