MODULE 1: BASIC ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS

Session 1.1 - Basic Units of Ecology

OBJECTIVES:

1. Describe the concept of ecology in your own words.

2. Explain the importance of studying ecology and different areas of study within its realm.

ACTIVITY:

Go around your surroundings and get a particular object which you think represents the word “ecology”.
Draw/take a picture and explain briefly why you chose this object.

ANALYSIS:

Answer the following:

1. In your own words and using the chosen object, define the word ecology.
 Ecology can be compared to a capis in the seashore.It has something to do with the
definition of ecology which is the connection between living things and non-living
things.In fact, capis is connected with the status of our sea if it is being continuously
conserved and protected.

2.What is the importance/role of your selected “object” to you and your surroundings/habitat?
 The importance/ role of my selected “object” to me and my surroundings/habitat is that
the presence of it signifies that the sea is not yet totally threatened. Aside from that, it can
be used for decorations or even for handicrafts.
3. What do you think is its relationship to the other objects around you? Explain
 I think its relationship to the other objects around me is the significance role it plays to
our environment for balance ecology.

ABSTRACTION/GENERALIZATION

ECOLOGY is the study of the relationships between and among biotic or the living components (such
as plants, animals, and microorganisms) and the abiotic or the non-living and physical components (such
as sunlight, water and soil) of the environment.

Coined by German biologist Ernst Haeckl in the 1860s,ecology comes from the Greek words oikos,
which means “household” and logos, which means :study of”. By these definitions, ECOLOGY literally
means “the study of nature’s household”. (Philippine Biodiversity for Beginners, Haribon Foundation,
2006)

The scope of ecology includes everything that is found on earth. It deals mainly with the following
concerns:

1. Organism. The individual living thing. This is a living complex of organs that functions as a
stable whole that allows it to reproduce and survive.
2. Species. Groups of similar individuals that can breed among themselves and produce fertile
offspring.
 3. Population. Any distinct group of individuals of the same species that live and interact in the
same geographic area.
4. Community. An assemblage of different populations that live and interact with one another
in a given area at a given time. Interactions within a community vary in nature such as
competition, predation, mutualism, etc.
5. Habitat. The place where communities live. Habitats provide organisms everything it needs
to survive such as food, water and shelter. The healthier the habitat, the more organisms it
can accommodate.
6. Niche. The role or function of an organism within an ecosystem/habitat.
7. Ecosystem. The basic unit of ecology where interactions between living things and
components of the physical environment take place. This is a complex web linking animals,
plants, air, water, sunlight, soil and all other life forms.
8. Biosphere. The “sphere of life”. This is the totality of all the terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems in the whole world.

The study of ecology gives equal attention to both the biotic and the abiotic components of the
environment. It recognizes that living organisms cannot be studied separately from their physical
environment. It is only by studying them within the context of where they live can one explain why
living organisms live and behave that way they do.

To observe and understand all these relations, a special focus will be given to the study of the ecosystem
because this is the basic unit of interest in the study of ecology where all the different ecological
components can be found and where all these ecological processes occur.

APPLICATION:

Answer the question below in the most creative way you can do (through a poem, drawing, power point
presentation, song, short film etc.s):

“What is my niche in the ecological design of my environment?”

Poem
 Passion for Nature

Nature! Nature!
Are you still pure?
Or everything is going poor?
Is there a way to preserve you more?

Biotic and Non-Biotic

How can you avoid being pathetic?
To make the environment more exotic
And to maintain the ozone layer thick.

LEARNING:

From this session about Basic Units of Ecology, I learned that my own niche in the ecological design of
my environment has is significant role for the nature to be preserved and my actions are greatly
important to realize it especially maintaining the ecological balance.

MODULE 1: BASIC ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS

Session 1.2 - Ecosystems

OBJECTIVES:

1. Discuss the concept of ecosystem, its functions and characteristics in relation to their
everyday existence.
2. Recognize the value of the different components of the ecosystem and establish their
connections.
3. Explain the importance of the different processes that occur within an ecosystem in relation
to their (processes) roles in sustaining life on earth.
4. Promote the idea of conserving the environment by observing and ensuring the integrity of
the different ecosystem characteristics.

ACTIVITY:

Get your buddy (a friend, sibling, co-employee, partner etc.). Close your eyes and sit in the most
comfortable position. Make a slow breathe in and out. Once relaxed let your buddy read the following
slowly:

Imagine yourself in a forest,

barefoot, wearing your most
comfortable clothes. You see
trees dancing in the wind.
Feel the breeze, feel the
cool breeze…very fresh…
soothing to the spirit.
Feel the spirit of the
mountains… the rivers…
 the spring… Feel the energy
of all the living organisms
around you…

You now climb the sloping

terrain, careful with the steep
rock formation. Now you
reach a gully… fresh water
flowing in it… clear and cool
water. You can actually see
your reflection in it. Savor
the sight and its invigorating
view!

Serenity surrounds you. Feel

the beat of you heart. Let the
calm embrace your soul…
Peace… Savor the moment!
You take a glimpse of the
lush greenery. Magnificent
creation!

Now, you slowly descend

from the mountains… taking
a good last glimpse of the place
you’ve been

At the count of three (3) open

Your eyes carefully… One…
two…three…
ANALYSIS:

After doing the meditation, answer the following questions:

1. What did you see? How did you feel?

 I saw a pure and green environment.
 I felt the tranquility and coolness of my environment.

What do you think is the message of the activity?

 I think the message of the activity is to make us realize how it feels to live in a healthy
and green environment so that we will continue to preserve it.
2. What are the biotic and non-biotic components have you encountered in your meditation?
How can you recognize the value of these different components to your life?
 The biotic components I encountered are the trees, flowers, birds, insects, and different
kinds of animals while the non-biotic components are rivers, spring, rock, air, and water.
 I can recognize the value of these different components to my life through determining its
specific role/ function that are equally important to us.
3. What are the roles of these biotic and abiotic components in sustaining life and non-life on
earth?
 The roles of these biotic and abiotic components in sustaining life and non-life on earth
are equally important because the abiotic component directly influences the behavior
and performance of the biotic component. This is manifested though the two conditions
within an area habitat that is directly determined by abiotic factors. These conditions
determine the existence and survival of the living organisms within an ecosystem.

ABSTRACTION/GENERALIZATION:

The ECOSYSTEM is the basic unit of interest in the study of ecology. This is where the interaction
between the living components and the non-living components of the environment takes place.

ECOSYSTEM COMPONENTS

Ecosystems are made up of two components, the BIOTIC component composed of all the living
organisms found within the environment and the ABIOTIC, which includes the physical and non-living
parts of the environment.

Living organisms relate to each other in terms of feeding relations where energy is transferred each time
an organism feeds on or is eaten by another. Thus, living organisms may be classified according to their
role in the whole cycle of feeding relationships within the ecosystem. They can be grouped into three
major classifications:
Producers. These are living organisms that belong to the plant kingdom. They are self-feeding since
they have the ability to manufacture their own food from carbon dioxide, water, minerals, and sunlight.
Their main function is to supply the essential vitamins, minerals and energy needs of the consumers.

Consumers. This group includes all animals, including humans, which feed directly or indirectly on
plants for food. They may be further classified into:

1. Herbivores. These are animals that feed only on plants. One of the main functions of
herbivores is to regulate the growth of plants to encourage re-growth (Examples are
seacows/dugongs and cows and goats that feed on grass). Another function is to act as
pollinators (examples are flying foxes that feed on fruits, and bees that feed on nectar from
flowers).
2. Predators. These are animals that feed directly on other animals. One of the main functions
of predators is to act as natural enemies of their food sources to prevent the occurrence of
pests and maintain balance in the ecosystem. This group may be further classified into:
1. Carnivores. These are animals that feed only on other animals. These are two levels,
the secondary consumers or carnivores that feed only on herbivores (ex. Reticulated
pythons and other snakes that feed on rats that eat plants) and the tertiary or high-
level consumers that feed only on other carnivores (ex. Philippine eagle and other
eagles that feed on small animals).
2. Omnivores. These are animals that eat both plants and anmals. (ex. Humans, musang
or alamid)
3. Scavengers. These are animals that feed on dead or decaying organisms (ex. Crows,
monitor lizards, vultures).
4. Decomposers. These are organisms that thrive on decomposing matter or cast-off
fragments of living organisms. Their main function is to recycle matter into organic
nutrients. Without them, the entire world would be deep in plant litter, dead animals
and human wastes (ex. Earthworms and other microorganisms).

Each member of the biotic community plays a specific role/function within the ecosystem. The loss of
one group can lead to the breakdown of the whole system.

The abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem are equally important because the abiotic
component directly influences the behavior and performance of the biotic component. This is manifested
through the two conditions within an area/habitat that is directly determined by abiotic factors. These
conditions determine the existence and survival of the living organisms within an ecosystem.

Law of Tolerance – states that the ability of an organism to survive or maintain its ecological niche is
determined by its ability to tolerate a range of physical and chemical factors present in the area.

Law of Limiting Factor – states that the availability of certain factors will affect the existence and
growth of an organism in a particular place. For example, sunlight may be a limiting factor. Too much
sunlight can cause the plants to dry up while too little can cause it to wilt. Both cases may lead to the
plant’s death. (ENRM 201: Principles of Ecology, Readers Manual, University of the Philippines Open
University – Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management, 1999; Philippine
Biodiversity for Beginners, Haribon Foundation, 2006)

ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS
Ecosystems perform and regulate the processes of material and energy exchanges that are necessary to
sustain life on earth. These are called ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS. These processes also illustrate how
living organisms relate to each other and their physical environment.

One of the major functions of an ecosystem is to perform and regulate the process of ENERGY FLOW.
Energy flow is the transfer of energy from the sun to living organisms through feeding processes.ich

The process starts with the sun, which is the ultimate source of energy. The sun emits light energy,
which is then absorbed by plants and is made into a useful from through the process known as
PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

The food produced by plants (which comes in the form of carbohydrates) is passed on to animals and
other predators through the following:

1. Food Chain. This is the transfer of energy where one type of organism consumes another. It
is a succession of organisms, rarely more than four or five, where one feeds on the other in a
sequential manner (Haribon, 1995). Plants occupy the space at the beginning of the food
chain, while humans, as top consumers, are often at the end.
2. Food Web. These are several intricate and interconnected networks of food chains resulting
from the fact that most organisms have one or more consumers.
3. Food Pyramid. This illustrates how energy diminishes as is transfers from the producer to
the topmost level consumer, usually humans. When plants are eaten by animals, some energy
is lost in the process. Typically, only about 10% of the energy is effectively transferred at
each link of the food chain.

The other main function of the ecosystem is to perform and regulate the different MATERIAL CYCLES
that provide the basic life support processes within it. These cycles may not be seen by the naked eye but
they are naturally occurring around us.

The material cycle is the process of accumulation, transformation and movement of water, chemicals
and nutrients between living organisms and the physical environment. It is the unending process of
recycling natural materials found within an ecosystem, thus ensuring that ecosystems do not run out of
essential elements necessary to sustain life. The unending process of recycling also prevents
accumulation of wastes within an ecosystem.

Water Cycle

Water is the main transport agent of materials and nutrients. Having a fixed water supply, the earth
regularly collects, purifies and distributes water throughout all the ecosystems. This regular series of
collection, purification and distribution is what we call the WATER CYCLE. Solar energy and gravity
are the driving forces of the cycle, which continuously move water among the ocean, land, air, and
living organisms.

How does the cycle work? It goes through different processes, starting with PRECIPITATION where
water comes down to earth in the form of rain, sleet or snow. Water then flows into its natural pathways.
Some will flow along the water surface until it dissolves into the rivers and streams and the ocean.
Some, on the other hand, will seep through porous substances like soil (PERCOLATION) where it gets
filtered and purified and will continue to flow down the water table to refill the groundwater supply.
While some parts of the water that percolated refill the groundwater supply, some are absorbed by the
plants and trees that are above the ground.

The water returns to the atmosphere through EVAPORATION, where it changes its state from liquid to
vapor/gas. Aside from the different bodies of water, plants also release water into the atmosphere
through process known as TRANSPIRATION, while animals release them through RESPIRATION. All
these evaporated water are then collected in the atmosphere in the form of clouds. This process is called
CONDENSATION where water changes state from vapor/gas to liquid. When the atmosphere becomes
saturated, the clouds will again release water in the form of rain (PRECIPITATION).

This endless cycle transports and supplies water for all living organisms. It ensures a regular supply of
nutrients needed to sustain life on earth.

Chemical and Nutrient Cycles

Chemical elements are the building blocks of all life forms. Chemical elements, which are dissolved in
the form of nutrients, are made available to plants and animals through the water cycle.

The mineral elements, which are dissolved from rocks for example, in the form of nutrients are made
available to plants and animals passing through the water cycle. Some of the chemical elements that pass
through the water cycle are Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen, the so called building blocks of all life
forms (Haribon, 1995).

Nutrients in the soil are absorbed by plants and passed on to the various animals, predators and
eventually, bacteria. The nutrients are returned to earth in the form of natural wastes, which are
consumed by decomposers. The decomposers transform the wastes into another form of food – organic
matter like fertilizers – which are again utilized by plants or released in the atmosphere (ex. Nitrogen)
and go through the cycle again.

These processes ensure that transformed energy is used by various life forms and that no single
organism within an ecosystem is wasted, that not a single organism is considered a “non-performing
asset: (Haribon, 1995)

ECOSYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS

Characteristics are properties of an ecosystem that allow them to endure through time. Ecosystems have
to main characteristics: They are SELF-REGULATING AND SELF-PERPETUATING. (ENRM 201:
Principles of Ecology, Readers Manual, University of the Philippnes Open University – Diploma in
Environment and Natural Resources Management, 1999)

Self-regulating

Ecosystems have the ability to maintain internal ecological balance by harmonizing the input-output”
processes that occur within it. It has the ability to maintain its stable existence. Upsetting this balance
would result in what is known as “ecological backlash,” such as flashfloods, climatic change, ozone
layer depletion, etc.

To maintain ecological balance and allow ecosystems to continuously perform their function, we should
observe the following:
 1. Carrying Capacity. This is the maximum number of individuals of a given species that a
particular habitat can support without depleting its resources. Any action that goes beyond
the limits disrupts or interrupts nutrient cycles that may be lethal to living organisms.
2. Maximum Sustainable Yield. This is the maximum limit of production of an ecosystem that
would still allow the physical environment to recycle nutrients to support succeeding
production cycles and sustain itself. Going beyond the limit would result in the exhaustion of
nutrients, which would in turn lead to a decline in production.
3. Waste Assimilative Capacity. This refers to the ability of ecosystems to take in and recycle
waste products. If waste production goes beyond the recycling capacity of the ecosystem,
then pollution occurs.
4. Natural Enemies. Ecosystems should maintain a balance in the population of preys and
predators. Absence of natural enemies would lead to the prevalence of pests. (UPSARDF,
unpublished)

Self-perpetuating

The living components of the ecosystem have the reproductive capabilities that allow species to continue
their existence. However, if the rate of loss/annihilation of these living organisms becomes faster than
their reproduction rate, then these living organisms will become extinct (or are wiped out from the face
of the earth!). (UPSARDF, unpublished)

APPLICATION:

1. From what have you learned, make an advance/concept organizer on the concept of
ecosystem, its components, functions and characteristics in relation to your everyday
existence.
 2. Having the knowledge about the concept of ecosystem and its characteristics (self-regulating
and self-perpetuating), accomplish the table below:

Concept/Principle to Goal Strategies (including specific

Maintain Ecological Balance Program and Projects for the
ecosystem to sustainably
perform its function)
Carrying Capacity 1. To support 1.Simplify lifestyle
maximum number 2.Be sensitive when relating to
of individuals of a your natural surroundings.
given species that a 3.Bantay Dagat/ Bantay Gubat
particular habitat
can support
without depleting
its resources.
Maximum Sustainable Yield 2. To allow the 1.Treeplanting/Mangrove
maximum limit of planting activities
production of an 2.Establishment of marine
ecosystem in the Protected Areas
physical 3.Conduct of Environmental
environment to Education
recycle nutrients to
support-succeeding
production cycles
and sustain itself.
Waste Assimilative Capacity 3. To take in and 1.Ecological Solid Waste
recycle wasteManagement Act of 2000
products. 2.Practice the three R’s
3.Use environment friendly
materials
Natural Enemies 4. To maintain a 1.Formulation of policies/
balance in the ordinances that support
population of preys biodiversity conservation.
and predators. 2.Dutiful implementation of
laws and policies
3.Formation and deputation of
law enforcement groups.

LEARNING:
From this session about Ecosystems, I learned that these are two components which are biotic and
abiotic. Furthermore, its functions are for food chain, food web, food pyramid, water cycle, chemical
and nutrient cycles. Aside from that, its characteristics are for self-regulating which maintains internal
ecological balance and self-perpetuating to allow species to continue their existence.

MODULE 1: BASIC ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS

Session 1.3 – Principles of Ecology

OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand the seven basic ecological principles that govern nature.

2. Explain the principles using the basic ecological concepts that were discussed in the previous
sessions.
3. Describe your ideal environment five years from now and come up with a picture/drawing
that shows your ideal environment.

Nature has its own laws. These laws ensure nature’s stability and sustainability allowing it to survive for
the past million years. Humans, being part of nature, must learn to observe and respect these laws.

ACTIVITY:

Based on what you have learned from Sessions 1 & 2, visualize your ideal environment. Then, make an
illustration (e.g. drawing, personally taken photos, picture collage, documentary film) of how you want
your local environments (e.g. barangay, municipality, province, and school) to look like five years from
now. Make a brief description of your illustration.

ANALYSIS:

1. What do you think is the message of the activity?

 I think the message of the activity is to visualize my future plan regarding an ideal
environment that will be realized through my actions.
2. How will you manage your ideal ecosystem/environments to make it life sustaining and life
perpetuating?
 I will manage my ideal ecosystem/environments to make it life-sustaining and life
perpetuating by maintaining the ecological balance of it through the laws that I will
regulate and impose. I will share to the people the importance of preserving and
conserving our environment.
3. How can you apply the seven basic ecological principles of ecology that govern nature in
your conservation, protection and development of your environments?
  I can apply the seven basic ecological principles of ecology that govern nature in my
conservation, protection, and development of my environment by being aware of my
actions and being responsible individual in taking care of my environment for the sake
of all living things in earth.

ABSTRACTION/GENERALIZATION:

Principle # 1 - NATURE KNOWS BEST

Nature has the ability to regulate, perpetuate, maintain its balance and keep both living and non-
living components stable. However, when humans interrupt and alter these abilities imbalance happens
and ecological backlash occurs. In fact, natural calamities are mechanisms used by the environment to
keep itself balanced.

Principle # 2 – ALL LIFE FORMS ARE IMPORTANT

All living organisms have the inherent right to exist. All of them play an important role that is
evident in the food chain. Diversity is the characteristic of nature and the basis of ecological stability.
Diverse ecosystems give rise to diverse life forms. Biodiversity, in many ways, supports human survival.

Principle # 3 – EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING ELSE

All things on earth are connected to everything else. Each organism depends on other organisms
to survive (food chain/food web). When we break the chain of interconnectedness and drastically alter
the natural state of the environment, everything will fall apart. Interdependence is the rule within the
ecosystem.

Principle # 4 – EVERYTHING CHANGES

Seasons help produce different lifeforms, e.g. caterpillars to butterflies, maggots to flies, etc. that
are essential in maintaining balance in nature.

Principle # 5 – EVERYTHING MUST GO SOMEWHERE

This law reminds us of the law of conservation of matter. Matter cannot be crated nor destroyed;
it can only be transformed. Since everything that we se around us is “matter then we should know that
nothing here on earth “disappears” or “simply goes away”. Biodegradable wastes eventually go back to
the soil and become nutrients for plants.

However, the environment only has the capacity to recycle natural products. Those that are not produced
through natural processes (e.g. plastics) do not have the ability to disintegrate on their own, and these
may accumulate as wastes and cause environmental damage.

Principle # 6 – OURS IS A FINITE EARTH

This law tells us that there are limits to whatever we do as nature can only do so much. There are
limits to the population that an area can support to prevent exhaustion of resources (Carrying Capacity),
limits to the amount of yield that an area can produce at a particular time to maintain its ability to sustain
life (Maximum Sustainable Yield), and limits to the amount and types of wastes that a population should
produce to prevent pollution (Waste Assimilative Capacity). Everything we do that is beyond these
limitations would cause environmental destruction.

Principle # 7 – HUMAN BEINGS ARE THE STEWARDS OF NATURE

Humans are merely borrowers of the Earth’s resources. As they are the only ones gifted with the
capacity to make us use of their intellect, they have also been given the responsibility to conserve and
protect nature, which is their source of sustenance and existence. (UPSARDF, unpublished and
Philippine Biodiversity for Beginners, Haribon Foundation, 2006)

APPLICATION:

1. Research and analyze three existing environmental laws and three existing environmental
bill.
2. Using the table below, identify what principle/s of ecology is/are underly/ies for each law/bill
and make the necessary justifications.

Law/Proposal Principles of Ecology Justifications

Existing Environmental Laws
(R.A., E.O.,P.P., ordinances)
1.R.A. 7586 or The National  All Life Forms are  Diverse
Integrated Protected Areas Important ecosystems give
System rise to diverse life
forms.
Biodiversity, in
many ways,
supports human
 Everything is Connected survival.
2.R.A. 8550 OR The Philippine to Everything Else  Each organism
Fisheries Code of 1998 depends on other
organisms to
survive(Food
 Human Beings are chain/ Food web)
3. R.A. 9147 OR The Wildlife Stewards of Nature  Humans are
Resources Conservation and merely borrowers
Protection Act of Earth’s
resources.
Existing Environment Bill  Ours is a Finite Earth  There are limits to
1. House Bill No. 4315, or the whatever we do as
People’s Mining Act of 2011. nature can only do
such.
2.Clean Coastal Environment  All Life Forms are  Diverse
and Public Health Act of 2009 Important ecosystems give
An Act Providing Programs for rise to diverse life
Beach Monitoring forms.
Biodiversity, in
many ways,
supports human
survival.
3.Marine and Coastal Resources  All Life Forms are  Diverse
Protection Act of 2009 Important ecosystems give
An Act Establishing Marine rise to diverse life
Protected Areas in All Coastal forms.
Municipalities and Cities and for Biodiversity, in
Other Purposes Filed many ways,
supports human
survival.

LEARNING:

From the Session 3 about Principles of Ecology, I learned that there are seven basic ecological principles
of ecology which govern nature in the conservation, protection, and development of our environment.
Those are the following: Principle 1:Nature Knows Best; Principle 2:All Life forms are Important;
Principle 3:Everything is Connected to everything Else; Principle 4:Everything Changes; Principle
5:Everything Must Go Somewhere; Principle 6: ours is a Finite Earth; Principle 7:Human Beings are the
Stewards of Nature.