ECOLOGY- An Introduction

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ECOLOGY is defined “as a scientific study of the relationship of the living organisms with each other and with their Environment.”

The classical texts of the Vedic period such as the Vedas, the Samhitas, the Brahmanas and the Aranyakas–Upanishads contain many references to ecological concepts .The Indian treatise on medicine, the Caraka- Samhita and the surgical text Susruta-Samhita. contain Classification of animals on the basis of habit and habitat, land in terms of nature of Soil, Climate and vegetation; and description of Plants typical to various localities.

Caraka- Samhita contains information where air, land, water and seasons were indispensable for life and that polluted air and water were injurious for Health.

The environment is defined as ‘the sum total of living, non-living components; influences and events, surrounding an organism.

Components of Environment

Abiotic – Energy, Radiation, TEMP, Water, etc.
Biotic- plants, animals, man, DECOMPOSER ETC.

Diesel engine exhaust fumes can cause cancer, humans” and it belong to the same potentially deadly category as asbestos, arsenic and ‘mustard gases.

Six main levels of organisation of ecology are:

Individual- Organism is an individual living being that has the ability to act or function independently.
Population-Population is a group of organisms usually of the same species,

occupying a defined area during a specific time,

Community- Communities in most instances are named after the dominant plant form

(species). A community is not fixed or rigid; communities may be large or small.

Types of Community-

On the basis of size and degree of relative independence communities may be divided into two types-

(a) Major Community

These are large-sized, well organized and relatively independent. They depend

only on the sun’s energy from outside and are independent of the inputs and

outputs from adjacent communities.

E.g: tropical ever green forest in the North-East

(b) Minor Communities

These are dependent on neighbouring communities and are often called societies.

They are secondary aggregations within a major community and are not therefore completely independent units as far as energy and nutrient dynamics are concerned.

e.g: A mat of lichen on a cow dung pad.

The environmental factors determine the characteristic of the community as well as the pattern of organisation of the members in the community

The characteristic pattern of the community is termed as structure which is reflected in the roles played by various population, their range, the type of area they inhabit, the diversity of species in the community and the spectrum of interactions between them

Eco-System-An ecosystem is defined as a structural and functional unit of Biosphere consisting of community of living beings and the physical environment, both interacting and exchanging materials between them. It includes plants, trees, animals, fish, birds, micro-organisms, water, soil, and people.

When an ecosystem is healthy (i.e. sustainable) it means that all the Elements live in balance and are capable of reproducing themselves,

Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. It is a broad field that encompasses the study of individual organisms, populations, communities, Ecosystems, and the biosphere.

The biosphere is the part of Earth that supports life. It includes the Atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the lithosphere. The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds Earth. The hydrosphere is the water on Earth’s surface, including Oceans, lakes, rivers, and Glaciers. The lithosphere is the solid Earth, including the crust and the mantle.

An ecosystem is a community of organisms and their environment that interact with each other. Ecosystems can be small, such as a pond, or large, such as a forest.

A community is a group of populations of different species that live in the same area and interact with each other.

A population is a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area.

An individual is a single organism.

Energy flow in ecosystems is the movement of energy from one organism to another. The sun is the ultimate Source Of Energy for all ecosystems. Plants use sunlight to produce food through Photosynthesis. Animals eat plants or other animals to obtain energy.

Nutrient cycling in ecosystems is the movement of nutrients from the environment to organisms and back to the environment. Nutrients are essential for life. They are used by organisms to build new Tissues and to produce energy.

Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It includes the variety of species, the variety of genes within species, and the variety of ecosystems.

Evolution is the process by which species change over time. Natural selection is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Adaptation is a change in an organism that makes it better suited to its environment.

Population genetics is the study of the genetic variation within and between populations.

Community ecology is the study of the interactions between different species in a community.

Ecosystem ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment within an ecosystem.

Landscape ecology is the study of the interactions between ecosystems.

Global change is the long-term changes that are happening to Earth’s climate, atmosphere, and ecosystems.

Conservation biology is the science of protecting and managing Earth’s biodiversity.

Environmental science is the study of the interactions between humans and the environment.

Sustainability is the ability to meet our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Environmental ethics is the study of the moral relationship between humans and the environment.

Ecology is a complex and fascinating field of study. It is essential for understanding the world around us and for protecting our planet.

What is ecology?

Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between organisms and their environment. It is a branch of biology that deals with the distribution and abundance of organisms, as well as the interactions between them and their environment.

What are the different types of ecology?

There are many different types of ecology, but some of the most common include:

Community ecology: This is the study of how different species interact with each other in a community.
Population ecology: This is the study of how populations of organisms change over time.
Ecosystem ecology: This is the study of how ecosystems function and how they are affected by changes in the environment.
Landscape ecology: This is the study of how ecosystems are connected to each other and how they are affected by changes in the landscape.

What are some of the major challenges facing ecology today?

Some of the major challenges facing ecology today include:

Climate Change: Climate change is causing changes in the environment that are affecting ecosystems and the organisms that live in them.
Habitat loss and fragmentation: Habitat loss and fragmentation are caused by human activities such as deforestation, development, and agriculture. They can lead to the decline or extinction of species.
Invasive species: Invasive species are species that are not native to an area and that can cause harm to the environment. They can outcompete native species for Resources, spread diseases, and alter ecosystems.
Pollution: Pollution is the release of harmful substances into the environment. It can cause problems for human health, wildlife, and ecosystems.

What can we do to help protect the environment?

There are many things we can do to help protect the environment, including:

Reduce, reuse, and recycle: We can reduce the amount of waste we produce by reducing our consumption, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials.
Conserve energy: We can conserve energy by turning off lights when we leave a room, unplugging electronics when we’re not using them, and using energy-efficient appliances.
Drive less: We can drive less by walking, biking, or taking public transportation whenever possible.
Support sustainable businesses: We can support businesses that are committed to protecting the environment by buying their products and Services.
Get involved in environmental activism: We can get involved in environmental activism by attending protests, writing letters to our elected officials, and supporting environmental organizations.

What is the future of ecology?

The future of ecology is uncertain. However, it is clear that the environment is facing many challenges, and that we need to take action to protect it. Ecology can play a vital role in helping us to understand the challenges facing the environment and to develop solutions to these challenges.

The study of the relationships between organisms and their environment is called:
(A) Ecology
(B) Biology
(C) Zoology
(D) Botany
The biosphere is the part of Earth that supports life. It includes:
(A) The atmosphere
(B) The hydrosphere
(C) The lithosphere
(D) All of the above
The biotic factors in an ecosystem are the living things. The abiotic factors are the non-living things. Which of the following is an abiotic factor?
(A) A tree
(B) A rock
(C) A rabbit
(D) A fungus
A food chain is a series of organisms in which each organism eats the one below it. The first organism in a food chain is called the producer. The last organism in a food chain is called the consumer. Which of the following is a food chain?
(A) Grass â rabbit â fox
(B) Sun â plant â caterpillar â bird
(C) Tree â insect â bird â hawk
(D) All of the above
A food web is a Network of food chains. It shows how all the organisms in an ecosystem are connected by their food relationships. Which of the following is a food web?
(A) Grass â rabbit â fox
(B) Sun â plant â caterpillar â bird
(C) Tree â insect â bird â hawk
(D) All of the above
A population is a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area. The size of a population can be affected by birth, death, immigration, and emigration. Which of the following is an example of immigration?
(A) A bird flying into a new area
(B) A rabbit giving birth to a litter of bunnies
(C) A fox eating a rabbit
(D) A tree dying
A community is a group of populations that live in the same area and interact with each other. The interactions between populations in a community can be positive, negative, or neutral. Which of the following is an example of a positive interaction?
(A) A flower providing nectar for a bee
(B) A parasite feeding on a host
(C) A predator eating its prey
(D) A tree shading a smaller plant
An ecosystem is a community of organisms and their environment. The interactions between organisms and their environment can be physical, chemical, or biological. Which of the following is an example of a physical interaction?
(A) A plant absorbing sunlight
(B) A rabbit eating a carrot
(C) A fungus decomposing a dead tree
(D) A bird building a nest
Abiotic factors can affect the distribution of organisms in an ecosystem. For example, temperature can affect the range of a species. Which of the following is an example of a species’ range?
(A) The area where a species can be found
(B) The number of individuals in a species
(C) The Average lifespan of a species
(D) The habitat of a species
Abiotic factors can also affect the abundance of organisms in an ecosystem. For example, food availability can affect the population size of a species. Which of the following is an example of the abundance of a species?
(A) The number of individuals in a species
(B) The average lifespan of a species
(C) The habitat of a species
(D) The range of a species