MEV 011: Unit 05 - Ecology

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 UNIT 5 – ECOLOGY

5.1 Introduction

Ecology is a branch of science that studies the interactions among living organisms and their surrounding environment. It helps us understand how organisms adapt to their environment, how they use resources, and how various ecological systems are structured and function over time. Ecology plays a vital role in helping humans understand the impact of their activities on nature and offers insights into conserving biodiversity and sustaining ecosystems for future generations.

5.2 Objectives

After completing this unit, you should be able to:

  • Understand and explain the basic principles and concepts of ecology.
  • Identify and describe different levels of ecological organization.
  • Understand and categorize various environmental factors that influence organisms.
  • Describe different types of relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.

5.3 Basic Concepts in Ecology

The term ecology comes from the Greek words ‘oikos’ (meaning house or environment) and ‘logos’ (meaning study). Thus, ecology literally means the study of organisms in their “house” or natural environment. It deals with the structure and function of nature.

Some of the basic concepts in ecology include:

  • Habitat: The natural environment where an organism lives.
  • Niche: The role and position a species has in its environment, including all its interactions with the biotic and abiotic factors.
  • Ecosystem: A community of living organisms in conjunction with the non-living components of their environment, interacting as a system.
  • Population: A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular geographic area.
  • Community: Different populations living together in the same environment.
  • Biome: Large ecological areas on the Earth's surface with similar climate, plants, and animals (e.g., desert, rainforest).

5.4 Scope of Ecology

Ecology has a wide scope and is crucial for various disciplines. It is essential in understanding:

  • Biodiversity and conservation efforts.
  • Environmental impact assessment.
  • Sustainable development and natural resource management.
  • Climate change and pollution control.
  • Agricultural and forest ecosystem productivity.
  • Human health in relation to environmental conditions.

Applied ecology branches into various fields like agroecology, conservation ecology, urban ecology, microbial ecology, etc.

5.5 Levels of Organization in Ecology

Ecological studies are carried out at different levels of biological organization. These levels include:

  1. Organism Level: The individual living being, which is the basic unit in ecology.
  2. Population Level: A group of individuals of the same species in a given area that can interbreed.
  3. Community Level: Different populations of different species living in a common area and interacting with each other.
  4. Ecosystem Level: The interaction between a community of organisms and their physical environment.
  5. Biome Level: A large geographic biotic unit consisting of distinct vegetation, animals, and climate.
  6. Biosphere Level: The global sum of all ecosystems. It represents the zone of life on Earth, including land, water, and the atmosphere.

5.6 Applied Ecology

Applied ecology refers to the practical application of ecological knowledge to solve real-world environmental issues. It includes:

  • Conservation Ecology: Protecting and restoring biodiversity.
  • Restoration Ecology: Rehabilitating degraded ecosystems.
  • Agricultural Ecology: Enhancing sustainable agriculture by integrating ecological principles.
  • Industrial Ecology: Minimizing waste and pollution through better resource use.

Applied ecology helps design better strategies for natural resource management, pollution control, wildlife conservation, and tackling environmental challenges.

5.7 Environmental Factors

Organisms in an ecosystem are influenced by various environmental (abiotic) factors that shape their survival and interactions. These factors can be classified into:

5.7.1 Climatic Factors

These include:

  • Temperature: Affects enzyme activity, metabolism, and distribution of organisms.
  • Rainfall and Humidity: Crucial for plant growth and water availability.
  • Light: Essential for photosynthesis and biological rhythms.
  • Wind: Influences transpiration in plants, seed dispersal, and weather patterns.

5.7.2 Topographic Factors

These relate to the physical features of the landscape, such as:

  • Altitude: Affects air pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels.
  • Slope and Aspect: Influence sunlight exposure, soil erosion, and vegetation types.

5.7.3 Edaphic Factors

These are related to soil and include:

  • Soil composition: Sand, clay, and humus content.
  • Soil pH: Influences nutrient availability.
  • Soil moisture and aeration: Affect root growth and microbial activity.

5.7.4 Biotic Factors

These are the influences of living organisms on each other. Every plant, animal, or microorganism interacts with others directly or indirectly:

  • Competition: Organisms compete for limited resources.
  • Predation: One organism feeds on another.
  • Mutualism: Both species benefit.
  • Parasitism: One benefits, the other is harmed.
  • Commensalism and Amensalism: One benefits without affecting the other, or one is harmed while the other is unaffected.

5.8 Biotic Relationships

Biotic relationships refer to how organisms interact with each other in an ecosystem. These interactions are essential in maintaining ecological balance and include:

  • Symbiosis: A close and long-term interaction between two species. It includes:
    • Mutualism: Both species benefit (e.g., bees and flowers).
    • Commensalism: One benefits, the other is unaffected (e.g., barnacles on whales).
    • Parasitism: One benefits at the expense of the other (e.g., tapeworms in animals).
  • Predation: One organism (predator) kills and eats another (prey). This controls population sizes and strengthens gene pools.
  • Competition: Occurs when organisms vie for the same resource (food, space, mates). It can be intraspecific (within a species) or interspecific (between different species).
  • Amensalism: One organism is harmed, and the other is unaffected (e.g., penicillin fungus killing bacteria).

These relationships ensure energy flow and nutrient cycling in the ecosystem, and disruptions can lead to ecological imbalance.

5.9 Let Us Sum Up

Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. It provides deep insights into how living beings survive, adapt, and influence each other. From individual organisms to the entire biosphere, each level of organization plays a critical role in the functioning of ecosystems. Environmental factors—both biotic and abiotic—affect the distribution and behaviour of organisms. Understanding ecological principles helps us manage natural resources wisely, conserve biodiversity, and respond effectively to environmental challenges such as climate change and pollution.

 

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