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Discover the origin and essence of ecology, focusing on interactions between living and non-living components in the environment. Explore levels of organization, from organisms to ecosystems, and the interconnectedness of all parts in the ecosystem. Dive into the intricacies of habitats, communities, and the dynamic nature of ecological studies.
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What is Ecology? By-Dr. P. B. SirsatAssist. Professor in Zoology,B.SC.T.Y.
Origin of the word…”ecology” • Greek origin • OIKOS = household • LOGOS = study of… • Study of the “house/environment” in which we live.
Ecology is study of interactions between • non-living components in the environment… • light • water • wind • nutrients in soil • heat • solar radiation • atmosphere, etc. AND…
Living organisms… • Plants • Animals • microorganisms in soil, etc.
To study Ecology involves… • For living (biotic) • animal behavior • Taxonomy • Physiology • mathematics (population studies) • etc. • For non-living (abiotic) • Climatology • Hydrology • Oceanography • Physics • Chemistry • Geology • soil analysis, etc.
Ecology… • views each locale as an integrated whole of interdependent parts that function as a unit. caribou tundra
Nonliving • dead organic matter • nutrients in the soil and water. • Producers • green plants Tundra
Consumers • herbivores and carnivores • Decomposers • fungi and bacteria Tundra Caribou
ECOLOGY: Levels of Organization - a hierarchy of organization in the environment
Levels of organization - Terms • Biosphere • Surface of the earth • Composed of many ecosystems • Ecosystem • Large or small as we decide • Backyard, O’Melveney Park, Hedge along Room 110, etc.
Levels of organization - Terms • Population – one species live in one place at one time • Community – All populations (diff. species) that live in a particular area.
Levels of organization - Terms • Habitat – physical location of community • Organism – simplest level of organization
Very complex • Can contain 100’s to 1000’s of interacting species.
THEN… Ecology is an integrated and dynamic study of the environment.