1.the Science of Ecology

THE SCIENCE OF
ECOLOGY
The Scope of Ecology
 Derived from the Greek word; oikos meaning
“house” or “place to live” and logus meaning
“study of”
 Ecology is the study of interactions between
organisms and their environment.
 It is a science that examines the most complex
levels of biological organizations.
Levels of Organization
Subatomic particles Atoms Molecules Tissues
Organs Organ systems Organisms
Populations Communities Ecosystems
Ecosphere Earth Planets Solar systems
Galaxies Universe
Subdivisions of Ecology
1.Autoecology-deals with the study of the individual
organism or an individual species. Life histories
and behavior as a means of adaptation to the
environment are usually emphasized.
2. Synecology- deals with the study of groups of
organisms which are associated together as a unit.
Subdisciplines in Ecology
Population Ecology- examines interactions that occur
between a population and its environment.
Population –is a group of individuals that belong to
the same species and inhabit a particular locale.
Species-a group of actually or potentially
interbreeding individuals.
Community Ecology-studies interactions among the
populations of all species living in an area at a
particular time, which together constitute the
community.
Ecosystem Ecology- is the study of the most
inclusive interactions, those among all the biotic
and abiotic components of the ecosystem.
Ecosystem-it includes both the community and its
physical environment.
Physiological Ecology- examines the ways that the bodily
processes of organisms are adapted to the physical
environment.
Genetic Ecology-is the study of the ways in which an
organism’s ecology shapes its heredity and the ways in
which genes influence ecological processes.
Systems Ecology-emphasizes mathematical modeling of the
interactions among the components of an ecological
system, particularly the movement of energy and materials
among the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
Environmental Principles
1.Interdependence/Interrelatedness
Living things are interdependent with one another and
with their environment. Both the biotic and abiotic
components are equally important in the ecosystem
because the absence of one affects the functions and
existence of the others and of the whole ecosystem.
A basic example of interdependence is the
relationship between autotrophs (plants) and
heterotrophs (animals).
2.Diversity and Stability
A diverse community is a stable community.
The more species present, the more stable the
community because several species keep other
species in check, preventing any species from
overpopulating the habitat.
3. Change
Change is basic to nature. Ecosystems change
over time and space. Any change in the community
affects the different organisms within it. Natural
change like this is healthy but human-induced
changes like environmental disturbances wreak
havoc in natural systems. These result in the
environment crises that the world faces today.
4. Balance of Nature
Ecosystems are capable of self-maintenance
and self-regulation. Predation kills offsome
members of the population and is a good regulator
of population density. Predation checks population
down to a healthy size.
5. Finiteness of Resources
Even the most abundant natural resources are in
danger of being depleted in the light of human
overpopulation and overexploitation. The fossil
fuels are in danger of running out in this century
because of too much use for industrialization and
domestic consumption by the fast growing world
population.
Finiteness of Resources means that there
limitations and boundaries to utilization.
6.Pollution
Pollution is the undesirable accumulation of
substances resulting in diminished quality and
utility of a resource. Pollution is found in the air,
water, and soil and these result in several problems
in the environment, health and economy.
7. Stewardship
Christian doctrine posits that nature and its resources
are God’s gifts to all and that, when God created the
Earth, He commanded man to be His steward.
Stewardship of resources means efficient
management by maintaining a balance between
population growth and resource use. It is not an act
of a good steward to overexploit the borrowed
resources.
8. Sustainability
Actions that address the needs of the present without
compromising the needs of the future generations to
meet their own needs are embodied in the concept of
sustainable development.
It is equally concerned with socioeconomic
development (human well-being) and environmental
quality.
A society should manage its economic growth in such a
way as to do no irreparable damage to the environment.

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THE SCIENCE OF

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