ecology

What is Ecology?

Ecology is the scientific study of the relationship and interactions between organisms and their environment.

The term ecology is derived from a Greek word Oekologie where “oikos” means “household” and “logos” means “the study of”.

Scientists who study ecology are called ecologists. Ecologists examine how living things depend on one another for survival. They also study how living things use such natural resources as air, soil, and water to stay alive.

Levels of ecological organization

Ecosystems can be studied at small levels or at large levels. The levels of the organization are described below from the smallest to the largest:

Species → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biome → Biosphere

A species is a group of individuals that are genetically related and can breed to produce fertile young.

A population is a group of organisms belonging to the same species that live in the same area and interact with one another.

A community is all of the populations of different species that live in the same area and interact with one another. A community is composed of all of the biotic factors of an area.

An ecosystem includes the living organisms (all the populations) in an area and the non-living aspects of the environment.

A biome is a community of plants and animals that have common characteristics for the environment they exist in. It is a broader term than a habitat; any biome can comprise a variety of habitats.

A biosphere is all of the ecosystems of the Earth added together.

 

Scope of ecology

The scope of ecology contains a wide array of interacting levels of organization spanning micro-level (e.g. cells) to planetary scale (e.g. biosphere) phenomena.

Organismal Ecology is the study of individual organisms' behavior, physiology, morphology, etc. in response to environmental challenges.

Population Ecology is the study of factors that affect and change the size and genetic composition of populations of organisms.

Community Ecology is the study of how community structure and organization are changed by interactions among living organisms.

Ecosystem Ecology is the study of entire ecosystems, including the responses and changes in the community in response to the abiotic components of the ecosystem. This field is concerned with such large-scale topics as energy and nutrient cycling.

Landscape Ecology is the study of the exchanges of energy, materials, organisms, and other products between ecosystems.

Global Ecology is the study of the effects of regional change in energy and matter exchange on the function and distribution of organisms across the biosphere.

Why is ecology important? 

1. It helps in environmental conservation – Ecology allows us to understand the effects of our actions on the environment. This information helps guide conservation efforts by showing how the problem begins and where our efforts should be directed to solve the problems
2. It allows proper resource allocation - Ecology equally allows us to see the purpose of each organism in the web of connectivity that makes up the ecosystem.  With this knowledge, we are able to ascertain which resources are essential for the survival of the different organisms.
3. It enhances energy conservation – Ecology aids in understanding the demands different energy sources have on the environment. This helps to decide what resources to use and how to efficiently convert them into energy. For example, indiscriminate burning of fossil fuels or deforestation has a bad impact on our environment and our overall existence.
4. It promotes eco-friendliness - All the information and research obtained from ecology makes people aware of their environment and helps to appreciate harmonious living among the species; this will ensure the natural order of things is followed.
5. It aids in disease and pest control - A great number of diseases are spread by vectors. The study of ecology offers the world novel ways of understanding how pests and vectors behave thereby equipping humans with knowledge and techniques on how to manage pests and diseases.