Ass in ecology!!

1.ecology?

> Ecology is the scientific study of interactions of organisms with one another and

with the physical and chemical environment. Although it includes the study of
environmental problems such as pollution, the science of ecology mainly involves
research on the natural world from many viewpoints, using many techniques. Modern
ecology relies heavily on experiments, both in laboratory and in field settings. These
techniques have proved useful in testing ecological theories, and in arriving at
practical decisions concerning the management of natural resources.
An understanding of ecology is essential for the survival of the human species. Our
populations are increasing rapidly, all around the world, and we are in grave danger of
outstripping the earths ability to supply the resources that we need for our long-term
survival. Furthermore, social, economic and political factors often influence the shortterm distribution of resources needed by a specific human population. An
understanding of ecological principles can help us understand the global and regional
consequences of competition among humans for the scarce natural resources that
support us.
Ecology is a science that contributes considerably to our understanding of evolution,
including our own evolution as a species. All evolutionary change takes place in
response to ecological interactions that operate on the population, community,
ecosystem, biome and biosphere levels. Studies conducted within the scientific
discipline of ecology may therefore focus on one or more different levels: on
populations of a single species, on an interacting community involving populations of
many species, on the movement of matter and energy through a community within
and ecosystem, on large scale processes within a biome, or on global patterns within
the biosphere.
Ref:
9:33pm_11/24/15_http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/sci_ed/grade10/ecology/introduction
.htm

2. scope of ecology?

>

Meaning and Scope of Ecology

Ecology can be defined as the study of organisms, plants and animals in relation to each
other and to their non-living environment. The term ecology is derived from the Greek
word 'Oekologie'. Literally 'Oekos' means 'home or surroundings' and 'logos' means
'study'. Thus it can be said that ecology is the study of earth's household including plants,

animals, micro-organisms and human beings that live together as independent

components.
SCOPE:

Earlier ecology was considered to be a branch of biology that deals with the relation of
organisms or group of organisms to their environment. Later on, it was realised that
ecology is not only concerned with the organisms, plants and animals but also with the
energy flows and material cycles on the lands, in the oceans, in the air and in fresh
waters. So keeping with the modern emphasis, ecology is defined as the study of
structure
and
function
of
nature.
The study of ecology starts with the understanding of the interaction of various
biological units with their environment for the production of a series of living
systems, i.e. Ecosystems. Ecosystems are classified on the basis of type and level of gross
energy flow. Now comes the understanding of the flows of energy and exchange of
materials between ecosystems. Then movement of materials back and forth between
organisms and environment is taken up. This movement of materials is known as Biogeochemical
cycles.
The population ecology studies the interaction of organisms with organisms in the
maintenance of community structure and function. Here focus is on the role of great
physical
and
chemical
forces
in
the
nature.
The most important object of ecology is the study and maintenance of ecological balance
and role of man in the degradation of the environment and to suggest remedies for
minimising the effects of pollution, deforestation, population explosion, killing of
animals and many other problems

Ref:
9:51pm_11/24/15_http://environmentandmanagement.blogspot.com/2008/03/meani
ng-and-scope-of-ecology.html

3.differentiatephysiological ecology to behavioral ecology?

+physiological

>The study of physiological ecology begins with an understanding of the influence of ambient temperatures. Temperature is
one of the most ecologically significant factors, and also one of the most relevant in the face of global climatic change.
Organisms have evolved a multitude of mechanisms for regulating the temperature of their bodies in order to flourish in their
particular environment. A high metabolic rate helps supply heat. An efficient circulatory system conducts and distributes heat
around the body. Hibernation enables animals to survive long periods of cold.
Water availability is another major focus in physiological ecology. The bodies of all organisms contain water, and organisms
in all environments expend energy to maintain their internal pool of water and dissolved substrates. Water availability is
particularly critical for desert dwelling organisms, and many ecologists studying the importance of water in biological
systems focus their research on desert species.
For most organisms, life boils down to obtaining the energy and nutrients they need in order to grow and successfully
reproduce, so the acquisition of energy is another key focus in physiological ecology. Ecologists classify organisms primarily
by their trophic (feeding) strategies. Organisms that can access inorganic sources of both carbon and energy are called
autotrophs ("self feeders"). Heterotrophs ("other feeders") are organisms that use the organic materials produced by other
organisms as their sources of carbon and energy.
An increasing area of focus for physiological ecologists is the study of the effect of environmental stressors on organisms.
Environmental stressors may include climate change, nutritional variability, disease, and exposure to toxins.
To develop a rich understanding of physiological ecology, begin with this introductory overview, and then explore the more
than twenty other summaries youll find below.
REF: 10:48_11/24/15_http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/physiological-ecology-13228161

physiological ecology
[fizljkl klj]
(ecology)
The study of biophysical, biochemical, and physiological processes used by animals to cope with factors
of their physical environment, oremployed during ecological interactions with other organisms.

Ref: http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/physiological+ecology
+behavioral ecology
Behavioral ecology is the study of the evolutionary basis for animal behavior due
to ecological pressures. Behavioral ecology emerged fromethology after Niko
Tinbergen outlined four questions to address when studying animal behavior which are
the proximate causes, ontogeny,survival value, and phylogeny of behavior.
If an organism has a trait which provides them with a selective advantage (i.e. has an
adaptive significance) in a new environment natural selection will likely favor it. This was
originally proposed as the theory of natural selection by Charles Darwin. Adaptive
significance therefore refers to the beneficial qualities, in terms of increased survival and
reproduction, a trait conveys. Genetic differences in individuals lead to behavioral differences
that in turn drive differences in adaptation, reproductive success, and ultimately evolution.
Ref: 11:07pm_11/24/15_https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_ecology
Behavioral ecology is the study of how natural selection shapes behavior.

Ref:
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/raven6b/graphics/raven06b/other/raven0
6_27.pdf

4. levels of organization

Levels of organization in an ecosystem

To understand the levels of belonging in an ecosystem, let us consider the diagram
below.

Individual, Species, Organism:

An individual is any living thing or organism. Individuals do not breed with individuals
from other groups. Animals, unlike plants, tend to be very definite with this term
because some plants can cross-breed with other fertile plants.
In the diagram above, you will notice that Gill, the goldfish, is interacting with its
environment, and will only crossbreed with other gold fishes just like her.
Population:
A group of individuals of a given species that live in a specific geographic area at a
given time. (example is Gill and his family and friends and other fishes of Gills species)
Note that populations include individuals of the same species, but may have different

genetic makeup such as hair/eye/skin colour and size between themselves and other
populations.
Community:
This includes all the populations in a specific area at a given time. A community
includes populations of organisms of different species. In the diagram above, note how
populations of gold fishes, salmons, crabs and herrings coexist in a defined location. A
great community usually includes biodiversity.
Ecosystem:
As explained in the pages earlier, ecosystems include more than a community of living
organisms (abiotic) interacting with the environment (abiotic). At this level note how
they depend on other abiotic factors such as rocks, water, air and temperature.
Biome:
A biome, in simple terms, is a set of ecosystems sharing similar characteristics with
their abiotic factors adapted to their environments.
Biosphere:
When we consider all the different biomes, each blending into the other, will all
humans living in many different geographic areas, we form a huge community of
humans, animals and plants, in their defined habitats. A biosphere is the sum of
all the ecosystems established on Earth.
REF: 11:25_11/24/15_http://eschooltoday.com/ecosystems/levels-of-organisation-inan-ecosystem.html
In ecology, the levels of organization are generally considered to refer to the following:
1. Biosphere - This is where all living things on Earth live. Humans live in a biosphere
2. Biomes - A large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat.
3. Ecosystem - A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
4. Community - All the organisms living in a particular area or place: "local communities".
5. Populations - A particular section, group, or type of people or animals living in an area or country.
6. Organism - by itself. Duh

REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levels_of_organization_(ecology)