Ecology A Branch of Biology (From Greek: "House" and "Study Of") Is The
Ecology A Branch of Biology (From Greek: "House" and "Study Of") Is The
For example the Karner blue butterflies and the wild lupine live in an
oak-pine barren habitat. This habitat is characterized by natural
disturbance and nutrient-poor soils that are low in nitrogen. The
availability of nutrients is an important factor in the distribution of the
plants that live in this habitat. Researchers interested in ecosystem
ecology could ask questions about the importance of limited resources
and the movement of resources, such as nutrients, though the biotic
and abiotic portions of the ecosystem.
5. Molecular Ecology: this study of ecology focuses on the production
of proteins and how these proteins affect the organisms and their
environment. This happens at the molecular level. DNA forms the
proteins that interact with each other and the environment. These
interactions give rise to some complex organisms.
The important relationship between ecology and genetic inheritance
predates modern techniques for molecular analysis. It uses various
analytical techniques to study genes in an evolutionary and ecological
context. Molecular investigations revealed previously obscured details
in the tiny intricacies of nature and improved resolution into probing
questions about behavioural and biogeographical ecology. For
example, molecular ecology revealed promiscuous sexual behaviour
and multiple male partners in tree swallows previously thought to be
socially monogamous.[153] In a biogeographical context, the marriage
between genetics, ecology, and evolution resulted in a new sub-
discipline called phylogeography.
For example, the larvae of the Karner blue butterfly form mutualistic
relationships with ants. Mutualism is a form of a long-term
relationship that has coevolved between two species and from which
each species benefits. For mutualism to exist between individual
organisms, each species must receive some benefit from the other as a
consequence of the relationship. Researchers have shown that there is
an increase in the probability of survival when Karner blue butterfly
larvae (caterpillars) are tended by ants. This might be because the
larvae spend less time in each life stage when tended by ants, which
provides an advantage for the larvae. Meanwhile, the Karner blue
butterfly larvae secrete a carbohydrate-rich substance that is an
important energy source for the ants. Both the Karner blue larvae and
the ants benefit from their interaction.