University:
University of Phoenix
Course:
BIO 315 | Ecology and Evolution
Academic year:

2023
Views:

95

Pages:

17
Author:

kvoterefgk

Introduction to Ecology Introduction and Concept: The term "ecology," coined by the German biologist, Ernst Haeckel, comes from the Greek word, Oikos meaning "house" or "dwelling," and logos meaning "science" or "study." Thus "ecology" is the study of the house of nature. Haeckel first described ecology as a separate field of knowledge. According to him, "ecology is the study of reciprocal relationship between organisms and their environment." Other definitions of ecology are: "Ecology is the scientific study of the interaction between organisms and their environment." "Ecology is the science that deals with the relationship between groups of living things and their environment." Ecology is also called as "bioecology," "bionomics," or "environmental biology." Life is not distributed evenly on earth but rather in patches. Ecology seeks to explain this phenomenon. Ecology is a broad discipline and it borrows from many areas like from mathematics to build models for population growth, from physiology to understand how organisms live in varied environments, from geology to understand soils, from chemistry to understand the chemical defenses of plants, and from genetics to understand the extinction of species. Some Important Ecological Terms: Autecology: The study of individual species in relation to their environment is known as "Autecology." It is also known as population ecology or species ecology or population dynamics. Important Features of Autecology: It is concerned with the study of the interrelation of individual organisms with the environment. It deals with easily measured variables such as light, temperature, humidity, salinity, and available nutrients, etc., to understand the needs, life history, and behavior of organisms of species. It has great significance for economic biology and disciplines like ecosystem botany, forestry, agriculture, and soil conservation. Autecology is also important for soil conservation and wildlife conservation. Synecology: The study of groups of organisms of different species which are associated together as a community. It is also known as community ecology. It deals with the study of interaction between species in communities of many species including distribution, structure, abundance, demography, and interaction between co-existing populations. Important Features of Synecology: The primary focus is on the interactions between populations as determined by specific genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Modern community ecology examines patterns such as variations in species richness, equitability, productivity, and food web structure. Community ecology studies interactions like competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism. System Ecology: A modern branch of ecology concerned with the analysis and understanding of the function and structure of ecosystems by the use of applied mathematics, statistical techniques, and computer sciences. System ecology deals with the interrelation and transactions within and between biological and ecological systems and is especially concerned with the ways the function of the ecosystem can be influenced by human intervention. Important Features: Seeks a holistic view of the interactions and transactions between organisms and ecological systems. Emphasizes energy flow, ecological energetics, and how these can be influenced by humans. Levels of Organization (Ecological Hierarchy) There are seven major ecological levels of organization: Organism Population Community Ecosystem Landscape Biome Biosphere Organism: Studies the form, physiology, behavior, distribution, and adaptations of organisms in relation to the environment. Population: Group of individuals of the same species inhabiting the same area and functioning as a unit of biotic community. Community: Results from interdependence and interactions among populations of different species. Ecosystem: Can be self-regulating and self-sustaining units like pond ecosystem, forest ecosystem, marine ecosystem, etc. Landscape: Unit of land with a natural boundary, generally representing different ecosystems. Biome: Large ecological unit characterized by a major vegetation type and associated fauna. Biosphere: The entire inhabited part of the earth and its atmosphere. Inter-Relationship Between the Living World and the Environment: There is a close interactive relationship between organisms and the environment. Life is unthinkable without a stable environment. The relationship is based on the following principles: Everything influencing the life processes of an organism constitutes its environment. The environment includes both biotic and abiotic components. Organisms influence their environment, and environmental factors affect organisms' life cycles. Components of Environment Physical Component: Includes soil, air, climate, and water. Biotic Component: Includes plants, animals, and microorganisms. Social Component: Includes the social conditions of the environment affecting human beings. Concepts of Hydrosphere and Lithosphere Hydrosphere: Total amount of water on a planet including liquid, vapor, or ice forms. Water exists on the surface, underground, and in the atmosphere. Lithosphere: Solid outer part of the Earth, including the crust and upper mantle. It is involved in processes like tectonic activity, formation of soil, and influences various ecosystems.