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Questions and Answers
Molecular ecology may inform the study of the population.
True
Ecology has no significance beyond the field of biology.
False
Social ecology is a non-biological discipline inspired by ecology.
True
Industrial ecology uses ecological principles to design industrial processes.
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Conservation ecology aims to promote species extinction.
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Soil ecology is the study of aerial ecosystems.
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Ecological economics is an interdisciplinary field combining ecology and music theory.
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Microbial ecology refers to the study of macro-organisms.
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Global ecology examines ecological phenomena at a small scale.
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Marine ecology primarily studies terrestrial environments.
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Study Notes
Conservation Biology
- A conservation biologist needs to collect accurate data on population size, reproduction factors, habitat requirements, and human influences on endangered populations and their habitats.
- This data may involve studies in sociology and urban ecology.
Levels of Ecology
- Ecologists study at four levels: organism, population, community, and ecosystem.
- These levels sometimes overlap, but are distinct.
Organismal Ecology
- This level of ecology focuses on the adaptations that enable individuals to live in specific habitats.
- Adaptations can be morphological, physiological, and behavioral.
- Examples: the Karner blue butterfly's adaptations to live in open areas with few trees or shrubs.
Population Ecology
- This level of ecology focuses on the number of individuals in an area and how and why population size changes over time.
- Population ecologists are interested in counting the Karner blue butterfly, as it is classified as federally endangered.
- The distribution and density of the Karner blue butterfly are influenced by the distribution and abundance of wild lupine.
Community Ecology
- A biological community consists of the different species within an area and the interactions within and among these species.
- Community ecologists are interested in the processes driving these interactions and their consequences.
- Examples: conspecific interactions (competition among members of the same species), heterospecific interactions (predation, parasitism, herbivory, competition, and pollination).
Ecosystem Ecology
- This level of ecology is an extension of organismal, population, and community ecology.
- Ecosystem ecologists study how nutrients and energy are stored and move among organisms and the surrounding atmosphere, soil, and water.
- Examples: the Karner blue butterfly and wild lupine living in an oak-pine barren habitat with natural disturbance and nutrient-poor soils.
Branches of Ecology
- Ecology can be divided into many sub-disciplines using various criteria, including:
- Primary kinds of organism under study (e.g., animal ecology, plant ecology, insect ecology)
- Biomes principally studied (e.g., forest ecology, grassland ecology, desert ecology)
- Geographic or climatic area (e.g., arctic ecology, tropical ecology)
- Spatial scale under consideration (e.g., macroecology, landscape ecology)
- Philosophical approach (e.g., systems ecology)
- Methods used (e.g., molecular ecology)
Importance of Ecology
- Ecology provides crucial insights into the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
- It is essential for addressing real-world problems, such as reducing the risk of species extinction.
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Description
Learn about the data collection process and research levels in conservation biology, including factors affecting reproduction, habitat requirements, and human influences on endangered populations and habitats. Explore the different levels at which researchers work within the discipline of ecology.
