Ecology Overview and Course Requirements

Course Requirements

• The course is 3 credits.
• One lecture and two seminars.
• Students need to achieve a maximum of 100 points.
• Midterms 1 and 2 are worth 60 points each, with each midterm being 30 points.
• The final exam is worth 40 points.
• First midterm is on the 7th week.
• Second midterm is on the 14th week.
• Each seminar is worth 4 points.
• Individual work is worth 5 points.
• Attendance for each lecture is worth 1 point.
• The first midterm includes a 20-question test.
• Maximum points for the first midterm test is 10 points.
• Total possible points for the first midterm is 30 points.

Ecology Definition

• Ecology is the study of relationships between organisms and their environment.
• It encompasses the relationships between organisms and other organisms.
• Ecology involves studying the natural systems' structure and functions.
• The word "ecology" was first used in 1866 by Ernst Haeckel.
• Haeckel based the term on the Greek words "oikos" (household) and "logos" (study).

Primary Objectives of Ecology

• Studying the changes in populations of organisms.
• Studying the flow of energy and matter (substance) within living systems.

Additional Objectives of Ecology

• Establish a scientific basis for using biological resources.
• Develop methods to minimize the use of harmful chemicals to control organisms.
• Control populations of living organisms.
• Identify and assess the environmental status and contamination of natural habitats.
• All objectives focus on sustaining biodiversity, which is crucial for sustainable natural and societal development.

Structure of Modern Ecology

• Modern ecology heavily relies on experiments in both laboratory and field settings.
• These techniques help validate ecological theories and provide practical management decisions for natural resources.

Structure of Modern Ecology (Diagrammatic Representation)

• The diagram shows interconnections between different aspects of modern ecology.
• The diagram highlights factors like consumerism, biodiversity, nature, environmental management, human diversity, human production, and managing resources for livelihoods.
• It depicts the importance of these interconnected ideas relating to the cultural superstructure, economic base, and the management of natural resources.

Relationship of Ecology with Other Sciences

• Ecology is a multidisciplinary science that draws upon many other branches of science.
• Applied ecology involves implementing ecological principles to solve real-world problems.
• Examples include calculating fish populations, assessing environmental impacts (construction/logging), and justifying species conservation.

Sections of Ecology

• Ecology is closely linked to various natural and human sciences including chemistry, mathematics, physics, geography, medicine, economics, and law, etc.

Biological Ecology

• Biological ecology focuses on the conditions that support the existence of living organisms.
• It studies the relationships between organisms and their environment.

Autecology

• Autecology investigates the specific characteristics of living organisms.
• It considers factors like adaptation to the environment (temperature, humidity), salinity, growth, reproduction, metabolism, food composition, respiratory rate, and photosynthetic rate.

Population Ecology (or Demecology)

• Population ecology focuses on the characteristics of populations.
• It examines factors like species quality, varying ages, sexes, and phenotypes.

Sinecology (or Community Ecology)

• Sinecology studies species composition in communities, their patterns, and community changes over time.

Global Ecology

• Global ecology explores the interconnectedness of all Earth's ecosystems.
• It involves the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and the biosphere.
• (Biosphere—The globally interconnected system of all ecosystems, all of which are in close linkage.)

Environmental Engineering

• Environmental engineering examines the interactions between communities, natural habitats, and human production processes.

Human Ecology

• Human ecology focuses on preserving and improving human health.
• It considers the relationship between humans and their surrounding natural and social environments.

Social Ecology

• Social ecology investigates how societies interact with the natural world.
• It covers radical changes, technological advancements, economic factors, societal values, cultural influences of civilizations, strategic approaches, and tactics in remaking the natural world.

Space Ecology

• Space ecology is a relatively new area that studies manned satellites as artificial ecosystems, along with the effects of the space environment on human organisms.

Importance of Ecology

• Studying ecology provides significant knowledge of natural ecosystems.
• Human economies rely on the exploitation and management of natural resources.
• Applied ecology is commonly used in areas like forestry, fisheries, range management, and agriculture to produce food and fiber.

Importance of Science of Ecology

• Ecology is crucial for human existence.
• Ecology increases our understanding of ecological knowledge.
• Ecology highlights the environmental impact.
• Ecology helps predict and prepare for future effects.
• Maintaining the stability of ecosystems is essential for all life.

Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development balances present needs with the potential needs of future generations.
• Example for sustainable development is "Clean Water" which shows the need for clean water, water recycling, and reducing water waste.

Conclusion

• Sustainable practices are essential for the preservation and future of humankind.
• There is a need for solutions to correct past mistakes in a timely manner.
• There's a need for proactive strategies (action plans) versus just discussing problems.