Introduction to Biology Part III. Ecology PDF

Introduction to Biology Part III. Ecology Nguyen Thi Kim Dung Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Email: [email protected] Outline 1. Chapter 1. Introduction 2. Chapter 2. Organism and environment 3. Chapter 3. Ecosystem and functional processes 4. C...

Introduction to Biology Part III. Ecology Nguyen Thi Kim Dung Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Email: [email protected] Outline 1. Chapter 1. Introduction 2. Chapter 2. Organism and environment 3. Chapter 3. Ecosystem and functional processes 4. Chapter 4. Population 5. Chapter 5. Community 6. Chapter 6. Biosphere and biodiversity conservation LEARNING OBJECTIVES Students will learn about Ecological factors (environmental factors) and their impacts on organisms Ecosystems with structural and functional features and the metabolism of matter and energy Features of populations and communities and their structures and dynamics Structure of the biosphere: geographical regions and major biomes  CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION CONTENT OF CHAPTER 1 1. Definition and developmental history of Ecology 2. Objectives and research scopes of Ecology 3. Relations between Ecology and other disciplines 4. Application of Ecology to life Chapter 1. Introduction 1. What is ecology? Ecology = Oikoslogos Oikos: habitat, living place Logos: subject, study Ernst Haeckel (1834 – 1914): a study about relations of creatures and their environment Ecological knowledge of the ancients Places for hunting and picking fruits E. Theophrastus (372 – 287 B.C): the effects of terrain, geography, and climate on vegetation Aristotle (384 – 322 B.C) explained the outbreaks of rats and grasshoppers Chapter 1. Introduction Perspective on the ecological harmony of Greek civilization Balance of nature Predetermined ecology Studies focused on Population Graunt (1662): quantitative description of the human population Malthus in Population Theory (1798) In the late 19th century, early twentieth century, two new ideas appeared Many species no longer exist Competition is caused by the pressure from the population "Natural selection and competition for survival" instead of "predetermined ecology" and "natural balance” Chapter 1. Introduction Other fundamental studies for Ecology Effects of environmental factors, living conditions on morphology, growth and evolution of organisms Plant classification system: A. Caesalphin (1519-1603), Carl von Liné (1707- 1778) Carl Luwig Willdenow (1765-1812): the same climate would lead to the same vegetation type Freidrich Heirich Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859): the combined effect of ecological factors in communities and ecosystems Chapter 1. Introduction Other fundamental studies for ecology T. Glogher (1833): the variation of birds under the influence of climate K. Frantchevich Rule (1814-1858): Animals and plants developed in a regular and intertwined relationship. Johannes Eugenius Bulow Warning (1841-1925): structure of plant communities dominance living forms wildfire succession the importance of soil (more important than the climate: temperature, humidity) Chapter 1. Introduction In 1910, ecology split in two directions individual ecology (Autecology) population ecology (Synecology) "Biosphere and Human Position" of Duvigneaud (1968) points out mistakes in human impacts. “Fundamentals of Ecology" (1971) by Odum "Ecology is a study of the structure and function of nature" (Odum, 1971). Chapter 1. Introduction 2. Objectives and research scope of Ecology The relationship between the creature and the situation it exists, including human beings The basis for solving environmental problems The basis for conserving resources and habitats Chapter 1. Introduction 3. Relationship between Ecology and other disciplines Environmental science seeks solutions to ECOLOGY environmental Background problems 4. Application of Ecology to life Levels of Organization of Ecology, highlighting ecosystems (Credit: Erle Ellis, 2014). https://navtat.com/smart_building https://magazine.wyfegypt.com/smart-vs-green-cities-no-mixing-up-anymore/  CHAPTER 2 ORGANISM AND ENVIRONMENT CONTENT OF CHAPTER 2 1. Ecological factors Concepts of environment and ecological factors Laws of impacts of ecological factors Impacts of ecological factors 2. Adaptation of organisms to the environment Concepts of biological indicators 1. Ecological factors The concept of environment The environment is all the conditions, circumstances, effects of the surrounding environment on the development of the organism or group of organisms (Webster) The environment consists of natural and artificial elements, which are closely related to human beings, which affect the life, production, existence and development of human beings (Law on Environmental Protection of Vietnam). 1. Ecological factors In ecology The environment is the whole of ecological factors of an area, creating the living condition of the organism and its direct or indirect impacts, one-way or mutual impacts on the species living therein. The environmental types: soil, water, air Ecological factors are external factors, have favorable or negative effects, promote life or inhibit, and limit the activity of living organisms. Classification of ecological factors based on its origin and impacting characteristics: Group of abiotic factors: non-living components of nature; physical elements (heat, rain, humidity, etc.) Group of biotic factors: composition of organisms Human factors: forming urban and rural areas 1. Ecological factors Types of biological interactions Caused by activities of living creatures in the habitat Interactive types of inhibition, restriction (biotic control): predation, competition, etc. Interactive types of symbiosis: Parasitism: one organism benefits at the expense of the other Mutualism: both organisms benefit Commensalism: one organism benefits but the other isn’t benefitted or harmed 1. Ecological factors Limiting Ecological Factor / Limiting Factor The limiting factor is that causes changes in living activities of the organism At a certain time, ecological factors affect activities of organisms at different levels A limiting factor is an ecological factor that has its intensity and/or amount that is close to the tolerance level of the organism, limiting the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population of organisms in an ecosystem. The limiting factor also causes competition between individuals of a species population 1. Ecological factors Law of Minimum/ Liebig’s Law Justus von Liebig (Germany, 1840) Mineral substances will control the yield and determine the stability of the crop The amount of active ingredients – which is close to the minimum needs of the organism - would have a critical influence on the growth of the organism. To live and grow, organisms need nutrients that are supplied from the environment 1. Ecological factors Law of resistance/ Shelford’s Law Victor E. Shelford (USA, 1911) The presence and development of an organism depends on the complexity of the environment. The absence or inability of the organism to grow is due to lack of or excess of a certain element - this element has a concentration or intensity close to the limit that the organism can tolerate. 1. Ecological factors Additional principles Mutual Impact Principle: When there is an unfavorable ecological factor, the need for usage of or the resistance of organisms to other ecological factors may change. Principle of non-uniformity: Every species has different resistance to ecological factors Resistance of an organism to an ecological factor changes accordingly to its life stages. The resistance declines when the organism is in weak conditions such as newborn, sickness, and elderly 1. Ecological factors The meanings when applying the laws of ecological factors: A resistance to ecological factors is critical to the distribution of organisms according to the laws The concept of "biological indicators"  Impacts of ecological factors Climate Light (nature, intensity, time) Short-day (tropical, subtropical) plants: only flower when light time 14h Day neutral plants (cucumber, corn…) Temperature (E sun, space, time) Plants in cold countries: 250C Impacts of ecological factors Water regime Air humidity For plants, H% is inversely proportional to the evaporation intensity Low H%, evapotranspiration increased: wilting High H%, evapotranspiration decreased: the transport of material from root-leaf affected High humidity is favorable conditions for animals, insects, mold development and reproduction. Mold (the main cause of damages to plant specimens) Termites Impacts of ecological factors Rain Rainfall (P = Precipitation) = mm Precipitation varies according to geographical areas and terrain conditions. In a geographic region, rainfall varies with seasons Rainfall is a critical factor for forming habitat types Monthly rainfall / Annual rainfall / Number of rainy days Precipitation (mm) Habitat < 250 Desert 250 – 750 Grassland – Savanna 750 – 1250 Dry forest > 1250 Moist forest 2. Adaptation to environment Plants Animals Waxy covering Change parts of their body or their Long roots behaviors Roots near surface Body covering: thick fur or feathers, Spines for leaves thick layer of fat under skin Water- stored body Color: patterns, match surroundings Short-term life Sweat and urinate very little Fast growing seeds Store fat in body Hide in shade or under large tree Defense: quills, venom