WHAT IS ECOLOGY?

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WHAT IS ECOLOGY
Ecology - Scientific study of relationships between organisms and their environment Environment = living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) Ecology ~ study of household of nature

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BLUE MARBLE
Earth as seen from Apollo 17, 7th December 1972 The first clear image of an illuminated face of Earth. A depiction of Earth's frailty, vulnerability, and isolation amid the expanse of space

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ECOLOGICAL HIERARCHIES

Individual, Population Community, Ecosystem Landscape, Biome, Biosphere

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QUESTIONS
INDIVIDUAL How do mudskippers survive in anoxic burrows? (Physiological ecology) What do mudskippers do during the rising tide? (Behavioural ecology)

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QUESTIONS
POPULATION In which part of the mangrove are Giant Mudskippers found? Is this population in flux? INTERACTION Is there competition for space with other mangrove animals?

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QUESTIONS
COMMUNITY Does the creation of open spaces in the mangrove canopy influence the number and type of species present?

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MANGROVE WHIPRAY

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QUESTIONS
ECOYSTEM How does high energy waves affect nutrient availability in mangroves? (Energy flow)
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iRemember.sg - cf. Maps, present and 1935

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QUESTIONS
Landscape
How has canalisation and urbanisation affected the feeding potential of Sungei Mandai mangroves for migratory birds?
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QUESTIONS
Biome How will sea level change will affect mangrove diversity and distribution in Southeast Asia? Biosphere How do mangroves contribute to the global carbon cycle?
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ECOLOGIAL LEVELS OR HIERARCHY

Adopted in textbooks Adopted in this course Useful when you are looking at other books

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APPLICATIONS

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NATURE
Management of forests, parks Habitat conservation Urban development Public health

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ET AL.
Economics Cycling in Singapore!! Education in NUS Universal application outside of biology - systems thinking.

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