Biology Ecology and Environmental Biology is a subfield of biology that examines the interactions between organisms and their environment, focusing on the relationships among living organisms and their physical surroundings. This discipline explores various ecosystems and the dynamics of populations, communities, and biomes, investigating how environmental factors influence biodiversity, species distribution, and ecological processes. It also addresses environmental issues such as habitat destruction, climate change, and conservation efforts, aiming to understand and promote sustainable practices that protect both ecosystems and the species that inhabit them.
Ecology Definition and Scope Definition of ecology Study of relationships among organisms Interaction with their environment Importance of ecology Understanding environmental challenges Basis for conservation efforts History of Ecology Early ecological thoughts Ancient agricultural practices Philosophical reflections on nature Development as a scientific discipline Emergence in the 19th century Formation of ecological societies Key Concepts in Ecology Ecosystem Structure and components Abiotic components (soil, water, air) Biotic components (plants, animals, microorganisms) Ecosystem functions Energy flow Material cycling Population Characteristics of populations Population size and density Age structure and dynamics Population growth models Exponential growth Logistic growth Biome Major terrestrial biomes Characteristics and climate Plant and animal life Aquatic biomes Freshwater and marine ecosystems Habitat Definition of habitat Microhabitats and niches Habitat fragmentation and its effects Levels of Organization Organismal Ecology Behavioral ecology Physiological ecology Population Ecology Population genetics Population distribution and structure Ecosystem Ecology Biogeochemical cycles Energy transformations Landscape Ecology Role of spatial patterns Habitat connectivity and patches Global Ecology Biosphere interactions Global biogeochemical cycles Ecological Interactions Predation Predator-prey dynamics Adaptations for predation Competition Intraspecific and interspecific competition Resource partitioning Symbiosis Mutualism Types of mutualistic relationships Examples: pollination, mycorrhizal associations Commensalism Definition and examples Parasitism Types of parasites Host-parasite dynamics Applications of Ecology Conservation biology Applying ecological knowledge to conserve biodiversity Restoration ecology Principles and goals Techniques for habitat restoration Environmental management Impact assessment Sustainable resource use Challenges in Ecology Climate change effects Invasive species Urbanization impacts Integrating ecology with policy and planning