Course content: ECOL 1A Syllabus I. Introduction a.)the scientific method b.)the environmental principle c.)the sustainable revolution II.

Natural Systems/Human Systems A.)Definition of Ecology B.)Ecosystem C.)Components of the Ecosystem D.)Limiting Factors E.)Habitat & Niche F.)Food webs and Food chains G.)Flow of energy in the ecosystem H.)Law of thermodynamics I.)Nutrient cycle/Biogeodynamical systems III. Biological diversity, interactions, successions and biomes A.)Biological Diversity B.)Biological Interactions C.)Succession D.)Biomes IV. Population dynamics & Democracy A.)Measuring population growth B.)Methods in controlling population V. Polution management & environmental resources VI. Environmental Economics ****Discussion**** I. The scientific process (method): -term denoting the principles that guide scientific research and experimentation , and also the philosophic bases of those principles. a.)Identification of a natural phenomena (Observe thru senses: formulation of a problem) b.)Hypothesis: an educated guess -null: negate outcome -alternative: positive outcome c.)Testing the Hypothesis: whether to accept/reject the hypothesis thru an exper iment (descriptive experimental/descriptive survey) d.)Re-experiment: assessment of the conclusion e.)Final Conclusion f.)Generalization II. the SEVEN Environmental principles: to attain/sustain ecological stability 1.)Nature knows best: pertains to the ecological balance of nature. (maintenance of environmental equilibrium) >nature will dictate(When,where,what)

**FACTORS affecting ecological balance: >Overharvesting and overhunting -effect: loss of habitat (flora & fauna) *FOREST: lungs of the earth >Pollution: as a mechanism for evolution -increased CO2 emission-> inc. atmospheric temp. = greenhouse effect >Conversion of natural areas into commercial or residential >Application of commercially prepared pesticides and fertilizers >Overuse of organisms .:Nature is a.)self-cleansing: decomposition, precipitation b.)sustaining: sustains the need of every organism c.)maintaining: the water cycle, the process of food chain ->to achieve balance 2.)All life forms are important: each organism has a purpose however each organi sm's ecological f(x) may vary. 3.)Everything is connected to everything else: interdependency between organisms . -"no man can stand alone" -dependency with stewardship 4.)Everything must go somewhere else. (e.g. decomposition) 5.)Everything changes. (e.g. growth) 6.)Everything must go somewhere else. 7.)Everything changes: due to the alteration of the ecological balance *two (2) types: a.)Natural: caused by the earts ROTATION, POSITION & REVOLUTION >cyclic - cyclical (e.g. water cycle) >linear - unidirectional (e.g. death) *the flow of energy is UNIDIRECTIONAL (e.g. food chain) *WEATHERING - extraction of minerals from a parent material either physical, che mical, & biological >random - unpredictable (e.g. earthquake & natural disasters) b.)Cultural: subsistence stage (wants & needs) b1.)hunting & gathering (nomadic era) b2.)agricultural b3.)tributary: rulers -surplus production -social classes

b4.)colonization & global homogenization: -monocropping b5.)capitalism: continues to plunder our ecosystem; e.g. overharvesting of trees b6.)industrialization: The process of industrialization describes the transition from an agricultural society to one based on industry. -one factor for evolution b7.)Earth's resources are non-renewable b8.)Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God's creation. II. Natural Systems/Human Systems: a.) Ecology: b.)Ecosystems: >Factors affecting the survival of an organism: -Temperature -Salinity *ectuarine (mixture of salt & fresh water, situated between the boundary of the ocean and the river delta) -Oxygen: a chemical factor in the survival of the humankind (Obligate aerobes). *facultative organisms: can survive even with the absence of O2 (Anaerobes) -Sunlight: one major component in photosynthesis among plants -Nutrients: its availability. *affects productivity -Pressure: in relation to altitude/depth. *atmospheric pressure **Biotic Component of the Environment *Classifications: a. Biotic (living): a.1)Autotrophs: self-producing organisms/ self-trophs >Chemo(synthesis): process in which some types of microorganisms use energy from chemical reactions to produce organic (carbon-containing) compounds as food for themselves. Chemosynthesis differs from photosynthesis, in which plants and cer tain microorganisms use light energy from the Sun to produce carbohydrates as fo od from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. >Photo(synthesis): process by which green plants and certain other organisms use the energy of light to convert carbon dioxide and water into the simple sugar g lucose. (existence of chloroplast) a.2)Heterotrophs: obtaining nourishment by digesting plant or animal matter. *Herbivores: existence of incissors, bicuspid,molars for grinding and crushing *Carnivores: flesh-eating/meat-eating. Existence of Canine teeth for tearing. a.3)Detrivores (Scavengers/filter-feeders): feeds on decaying animal or plant ma terial. Detritivores such as bacteria, earthworms, and many insects aid in breaking down soil.

*organisms feed on detritus