BASICS
OF
ECOLOGY
 Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of how living
organisms interact with one another and
with their physical environment.

The term oekologie (ecology) was coined

in 1866 by the German biologist, Ernst
Haeckel from the Greek oikos meaning
"house" or "dwelling", and logos meaning
"science" or "study"
 Autecology
The study of ecological relationships from
the point of view of a single species.

Synecology
If all species are studied as a community.
 Environment
Everything that affects or surrounds an
organism during its lifetime is
collectively known as its environment.

It comprises of both
Biotic (living)
Abiotic (non living) components.
 

Levels of organization in Ecology
There are six levels of organization in Ecology:
Individual
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Biomes
Biosphere

Individual: Organism is an individual living being

that has ability to act or function independently.
Species: Species are a group of living organisms
consisting of similar individuals capable of
exchanging genes or of interbreeding. e.g. Homo
sapiens (humans).
 Ecophene
These are otherwise called Ecads or morphologically-
changed forms.
When a species is transported to a new environment,
it’s first response will be to develop abilities to
survive there.
These differences among ecophenes are not permanent.
They are just temporary variations to survive the new
conditions.
Therefore, ecophenes from different habitats, when
brought together, become similar.

Ecotype
However, if two of these ecophenes were to remain in
their new habitat for too long, these morphological
(physical) changes will start becoming permanent. 
 Population is a group of interbreeding
organisms [same species], occupying a
defined area during a specific time.

Number of individuals per unit area at a

given time is termed as population
density.
Community: A community is an assemblage
or association of populations of two or
more different species occupying the
same geographical area and in a
particular time, also known as a
biocoenosis
Communities in most instances are named
after the dominant plant form (species).
E.g.: A grassland community is dominated
by grasses, though it may contain herbs,
shrubs, and trees, along with associated
insects and animals of different species.
Ecosystem: An ecosystem is a community
of organisms interacting with each other
and with their environment such that
energy is exchanged and system-level
processes, such as the cycling of
elements, emerge.
 Ecological Niche
Niche refers to the unique functional role and
position of a species in its habitat or
ecosystem.
The functional characteristics of a species in its
habitat is referred to as “niche” in that
common habitat.
A niche is unique for a species while many
species share the habitat.
No two species in a habitat can have the same
niche.
Biomes:The terrestrial part of biosphere is
divisible into enormous regions known
as Biomes.
The climate determines the boundaries of
a biome and the abundance of plants
and animals found in each of it.
Most important climatic factors are
temperature and precipitation.
Biosphere: Biosphere is the biological
component of earth which includes the
lithosphere, hydrosphere and
atmosphere.

The biosphere includes all living

organisms on earth, together with the
dead organic matter produced by them.
 Ecotone

An ecotone is a zone of junction or a transition area
between two biomes [diverse ecosystems].
It is where two communities meet and integrate.
E.g. mangrove forests represent an ecotone between
marine and terrestrial ecosystem. Other examples are
estuary (between fresh water and salt water) and
river bank or marsh land (between dry and wet).

Edge Effect – Edge Species

Sometimes number of species & population density of
some of species in ecotone is much greater than
either community.
This is called edge effect.
The organisms which occur primarily or most abundantly
in this zone are known as edge species.
 Questions
1. Which one of the following terms
describes not only the physical space
occupied by an organism, but also its
functional role in the community of
organisms? (2013)
(a) Ecotone
(b) Ecological niche
(c) Habitat
(d) Home range
 2.Which one of the following is the best 
description of the term ‘ecosystem’?
(a) A community of organisms interacting 
with one  another.
(b) That part of the Earth which is inhabited 
by living  organisms.
(c) A community of organisms together with 
the  environment in which they live
(d) The flora and fauna of a geographical are
a
 








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