Definition of ecology
- Ernst Haeckel defined ecology as the relationship of organisms to their environment, both living and non-living.
- The British scientist Macfaden defines ecology as the relationship between plants, animals, and the environment.
- According to biologist E.P. Odum ecology is the study of ecosystems.
- According to Frederick Clements, ecology is the science of communities.
- According to scientist C. J. Krebs, the scientific study of interactions between the abundance and distribution of organisms is called ecology.
- Charles Elton, in his famous book Animal Ecology, mentioned ecology as a scientific natural history.
- According to Andrewarth, “Ecology is the scientific study of the distribution and abundance of organisms.”
- According to Smith, ecology is an interdisciplinary science that deals with living things and their habitats, with an emphasis on ecosystems.
To examine ecological processes, scientists break down ecology into several subdivisions:
Autecology: is a branch of ecology. It studies the ecology of a particular species. This branch of ecology discusses a single species. Example: Discussion about the Sundarbans tiger. Synecology: a branch of ecology. Synecology studies the ecology of all living organisms in a specific region. Example: discussion of the various flora and fauna of the Sundarbans.
Synecology has several branches. They are based on the organism’s habitat, taxonomic division, and organizational level, namely:
- Population ecology: It is a branch of ecology. It studies the size, shape, growth rate, nutrition, layer structure, metabolic activity, decline in number, birth rate, and death rate of a single species.
- Community ecology: Community ecology is the branch of ecology that explores the interrelationships between different populations or groups of organisms in a specific habitat within the same natural environment and their relationships with other species.
- Habitat Ecology: The branch of ecology that deals with the evolution of plant and animal species through their own adaptation to different natural habitats by environmental regulators is called habitat ecology. The various subdivisions of this ecology are freshwater ecology, marine ecology, terrestrial ecology, forest ecology, desert ecology, etc.
- Human Ecology: The branch of ecology that deals with the impact of humans on the environment and, above all, the impact of the environment on humans is called human ecology. Henry Thoreau was the first to use the term.
- Deep ecology: The branch of ecology that deals with the environmental relationships of a population is called deep ecology. Arne Nyes is a proponent of the concept of deep ecology.
Basic principles and definitions of ecology
- The basic unit of ecology is the ecosystem. Ecosystems contain numerous organic and inorganic components, through which energy and nutrients circulate.
- A mutually stable relationship exists between the organic world and the inorganic world of Vasutandra. On the one hand, solar energy (inorganic matter) is directly controlling the entire biosphere, on the other hand, autophagy and paraphrasing are also interdependent.
- Energy flows from one organism to another in an ecosystem. According to scientist Lindemann’s ’10 percent formula’, only 10 percent of the energy in an ecosystem is used at the next level.
- Although the interactions between organic and inorganic elements in ecosystems are constant, their rates change over time.
- Ecosystems move from less complex states to more complex states as they progress towards the realization of consequences. This is called succession or transition.
- According to the scientist Hallman, no matter if the ecosystem is destroyed, it will only be transformed. According to him, ecosystems are formed as a result of millions of years of interactions in nature. Today’s ecosystems will change and become more complex in the future.
- The key component of an ecosystem is the community. A group of plants and animals living in the same environment is called a community.
What do deep ecology and shallow ecology mean?
Deep ecology: Deep ecology is a special concept or movement related to the environment in which it is believed that the earth, plants, animals, and humans are all equally important in the environment. Humans have no special importance. In 1973, Norway’s famous philosopher, mountaineer, and deep ecologist, Arni Naess, first used the term.
Shallow ecology: Shallow ecology refers to the concept of preserving the existence of the environment for human needs. Shallow ecology is essentially an anthropocentric environment. That is, it is important to protect those elements of the environment or those areas that have economic utility to people, such as the preservation of forests for tourism.
Nature, Ecology, and Evolution: Understanding the Interconnected World of Life
1. Nature
It is the physical world of nonhuman origin. This may include all organisms called plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. Also, it includes non-living features such as rocks, water, and air. As essential to life, nature offers benefits in food, water, and shelter. Conservation means keeping habitats natural and fostering biodiversity. This maintains a balance and ensures that all life forms survive.
2. Ecology
Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. This involves how plants, animals, and other organisms coexist in several ecosystems. They compete and cooperate in a given environment. Ecologists study the following various levels:
- Individual: A single organism
- Population: A group of the same species occupying an area.
- Community: Interacting with different species in a common environment
- Ecosystem: Interactions of communities with the physical environment.
- Biosphere: A global association of all ecosystems.
Specific aspects are studied in the following sub-branches of ecology:
- Behavioral Ecology: How behavior is environmentally determined.
- Population ecology: growth and fluctuations in populations.
- Ecosystem Ecology: The flow of energy and nutrients through ecosystems.
The ecological processes are as follows:
- Energy Flow: The sun transfers energy to plants via photosynthesis. Then, animals get it from plants through food chains.
- Nutrient Cycling: Nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen are cycled through an ecosystem.
- Succession: Changes to ecosystems over time, like those that follow fires.
- Ecological Niche: It is a species’ role in its environment. It includes what it eats, where it lives, and its interactions with other species.
3. Evolution
The process by which species change over time through natural means. It is the supporting framework under which biodiversity on Earth can be understood. This also includes some mechanisms of evolution:
- Natural Selection: It is the process by which better-adapted organisms survive. They then increase their share in the gene pool by passing on their traits to their offspring.
- Genetic drift: Random changes in gene frequencies in a population may cause evolution.
- Gene flow: The transfer of genetic material from one population to another, which can introduce new traits.
- Mutation: changes in the DNA, presenting a new trait or changing an old one.
Evolutionary theories, like Darwin’s natural selection, say species evolve over very long periods of time. This happens due to small, accumulated genetic changes. Modern evolutionary theory combines genetics and natural selection. It seeks to explain two things. First, how do new species form—speciation? Second, how species adapt to different ecological niches.
Speciation is a process. It occurs when populations of a species become isolated. They then evolve in different ways, resulting in new species. It occurs due to geographic separation, called allopatric speciation, or in a completely sympatric way.
Adaptive radiation is when one species quickly evolves into many. Each new species is adapted to a specific environment or niche. This usually follows a major environmental change or the colonization of new habitats.
4. Interconnections between nature, ecology, and evolution.
Nature, ecology, and evolution are all intimately linked. Biodiversity, or variation in life on Earth, is affected by both ecological and evolutionary factors. Adaptation is when species evolve traits to survive in their niche. Ecosystem services are the benefits of ecosystems. They include clean water, pollination, and climate regulation. These services are vital for life.
5. Human Impact
Anthropogenic actions have a great influence on natural ecosystems. Human actions, like deforestation, pollution, and climate change, might disrupt ecosystems. This could lead to a loss of biodiversity. Conservation strategies aim to reduce these impacts. They do this by protecting nature, promoting sustainable use, and restoring ecosystems. All such efforts aim to protect the planet’s health. They seek to ensure future generations can benefit from nature’s services.
Conclusion
Understanding nature, ecology, and evolution is instrumental in solving environmental problems. They help us understand life’s complexity and the need for a sustainable bond between humans and nature. This understanding will come from studies on species and their environments. They aim to conserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems that support life on Earth.
