Lecture 1-

Definition and History

 Lesson Learning Outcome
1. To define the ecological concept
2. To explain the ecological hierarchy
3. To distinguish between the subfields in
ecology
4. To explain the differences between
Environmental sciences and ecology
5. To state the Precautionary Principal
A thorough understanding
of Ecological Concepts is
essential for making sound
Environmental Decisions
 Ecology
Is an extremely complex and exciting area of biology
Reveals the richness of the biosphere
Slow loris Proboscis monkey
Stick insect Leaf insect
Rafflesia Pitcher plants
 Ecology

Definition:
Study of the factors that affect
the distribution and
abundance of organisms in
their natural habitat.
 Ecology Defined

Scientific study of the relationship

(interactions) between organism & their
environment (Environment: Physical & biological components)
which determine both the distribution and abundance of organism.
 Kangaroos/km2

> 20
Climate in northern Australia
1020 is hot and wet, with seasonal
510 drought.
15
0.11
< 0.1 Red kangaroos
Limits of occur in most
distribution semiarid and arid
regions of the
interior, where
precipitation is
relatively low and
variable from
year to year.

Southeastern Australia
has a wet, cool climate.

Southern Australia has

Tasmania
Distribution &
cool, moist winters and
warm, dry summers. Abundance: What
Factors Determine?
Ecological hierarchy
Species

Population

Community

Ecosystem

Biosphere
 Hierarchy in Ecosystems (cont..)
Species organisms that can interbreed and produce
viable offspring

Population group of individuals of same species in a

given/occupy area at same time

Community populations of different species

living/interacting together within an ecosystem

Ecosystem the flow of energy and the recycling of

nutrients between the biotic and the abiotic component
 (cont..) Hierarchy in Ecosystems
All ecosystems combine to form the Biosphere
or the living part of the earth

The self sustaining biosphere where all

organisms are linked is referred to as the Gaia
Hypothesis = ecological hypothesis that proposes
that living and nonliving parts of the earth are
viewed as a complex interacting system that can be
thought of as a single organism.
Cell to Ecosphere
Hierarchy
Biosphere

Ecosystems

Populations Communities

Organisms
 Two basic components interacting
under ecology

Abiotic components Biotic components

(non-living components) (living components-
physical climate, water, plant/animal
soil, atmosphere interactions)
chemical conditions- predation,
mineral, pH, gaseous competition,
mutualism,
commensalism,
parasitism,
Parasitoidism
Disease

Energy and nutrients move within and between the biotic and
abiotic components
 Subfields of Ecology
Organism ecology
Studies how an organisms structure, physiology,
and (for animals) behavior meet the challenges
posed by the environment

(a) Organismal ecology. How do humpback whales select their calving

areas?
 Population ecology
Concentrates mainly on factors that affect how
many individuals of a particular species live in an
area

(b)
Population ecology.
What environmental
factors affect the
reproductive rate of
deer mice?
 Community ecology
Deals with the whole array of interacting species in
a community

(c) Community ecology.

What factors influence
the diversity of species
that make up a
particular forest?
 Ecosystem ecology
Emphasizes energy flow and chemical cycling
among the various biotic and abiotic components

(d) Ecosystem ecology. What

factors control photosynthetic
productivity in a temperate
grassland ecosystem?
 Landscape ecology
Deals with arrays of ecosystems and how they are
arranged in a geographic region

(e) Landscape ecology. To what extent do the trees lining at the drainage channels in
this landscape serve as corridors of dispersal for forest animals?
 The Human Factor
The growing population of humans have
given a huge impact to the environment i.e
pollution cases, poverty, industrial and
economical effect

Ecologists have to focus on the

precautionary principle which states
humans need to be concerned with how
their actions affect the environment
Ecologist may dive into several topics in ecology for
their research:

Population ecologist : study the distribution and

abundance, rates of population growth, rates of
reproduction, or dispersal of a particular species

Community ecologist : patterns of species diversity, food

web structure, how physical disturbance influences species
diversity and composition

Ecosystem ecologist : primary production, energy flow, and

nutrient cycling.