This course will provide the necessary introduction to and background to understand the biodiversity of South Asia, with focus on India, and a brief introduction to basic ecological phenomena that are essential for other courses in the OT. Some of the topics that will be covered include introduction to patterns of biodiversity and distribution, structure and function of ecosystems, abiotic and biotic factors that structure ecosystems, current threats to biodiversity. The course will also briefly discuss why conservation, and the need for a scientific approach to biological conservation.