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Complete BIO101 Elements of Ecology Lecture Notes

The document provides an overview of ecology, including its scope, importance, and the various branches such as organismal, population, community, ecosystem, landscape, and global ecology. It discusses ecological succession, population dynamics, ecosystem components and functions, and the impact of human activities on the environment. The document emphasizes the need for conservation and sustainable development to ensure human survival and ecological health.

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23 views4 pages

Complete BIO101 Elements of Ecology Lecture Notes

The document provides an overview of ecology, including its scope, importance, and the various branches such as organismal, population, community, ecosystem, landscape, and global ecology. It discusses ecological succession, population dynamics, ecosystem components and functions, and the impact of human activities on the environment. The document emphasizes the need for conservation and sustainable development to ensure human survival and ecological health.

Uploaded by

magpet4real
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BIO 101 - Elements of Ecology (100

Level Biology Lecture Note)


1. Scope and Importance of Ecology
Ecology is the branch of biology that studies the interactions between living organisms
(plants, animals, microbes) and their physical environment (air, water, soil). It examines
how these interactions affect the distribution and abundance of organisms, energy flow, and
the cycling of nutrients.

Scope of Ecology

- Organismal Ecology: Focuses on individual organisms and how they adapt to their
environment.
- Population Ecology: Studies groups of individuals of the same species.
- Community Ecology: Examines interactions between different species.
- Ecosystem Ecology: Deals with energy flow and nutrient cycles among biotic and abiotic
components.
- Landscape Ecology: Explores spatial patterns and ecological processes across multiple
ecosystems.
- Global Ecology: Investigates ecological phenomena on a planetary scale.

Importance of Ecology

- Environmental Conservation: Understanding ecosystems aids in preserving biodiversity.


- Natural Resource Management: Guides sustainable use of water, forests, and wildlife.
- Pollution Control: Helps in designing solutions to minimize environmental degradation.
- Agriculture: Enhances crop productivity through ecological principles.
- Climate Change: Provides insights into the effects and mitigation of global warming.
- Public Health: Manages diseases related to environmental factors.

2. Ecological Succession
Ecological succession is the orderly and predictable change in the structure and species
composition of a community over time, leading toward a stable climax community.

Types of Succession

- Primary Succession: Occurs in lifeless areas (e.g., volcanic rock, glacial retreat).
- Secondary Succession: Occurs where an ecosystem existed but was disturbed (e.g., after
fire or farming).

Stages of Succession
1. Nudation
2. Invasion
3. Competition
4. Reaction
5. Stabilization/Climax

Climax Community
A stable and self-sustaining community that remains unchanged unless disturbed.

Importance of Succession

- Promotes biodiversity and habitat quality


- Leads to soil formation
- Assists in ecosystem recovery

3. Population and Community Ecology

Population Ecology
A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.

Characteristics of Population
Size, density, dispersion, age structure, sex ratio, birth/death rates

Population Growth Models

- Exponential Growth (J-curve)


- Logistic Growth (S-curve) with carrying capacity

Factors Affecting Population Size

- Density-dependent: competition, disease


- Density-independent: weather, disasters

Community Ecology
A community is a group of interacting populations in an area.
Community Characteristics
Species richness, diversity, trophic structure, stratification

Species Interactions
Competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism, commensalism, amensalism

Niche vs. Habitat

- Habitat: where an organism lives


- Niche: its role and interactions

Importance of Community Ecology


Helps in wildlife management, conservation, and ecosystem understanding

4. Ecosystem Components and Functions


An ecosystem is a functional unit of interacting organisms (biotic) and their physical
environment (abiotic).

A. Components of an Ecosystem

1. Abiotic Components (Non-living)


Climatic factors, soil properties, water availability, gases, and topography.

2. Biotic Components (Living)

- Producers: green plants, algae


- Consumers: herbivores, carnivores, omnivores
- Decomposers: fungi, bacteria, detritivores

B. Functions of an Ecosystem

1. Energy Flow (Sun → Producers → Consumers → Decomposers)


2. Nutrient Cycling (carbon, nitrogen, water)
3. Biological Regulation (population control)
4. Support for Biodiversity (habitats and food webs)
5. Ecosystem Services (food, water, climate regulation)

Types of Ecosystems

- Terrestrial: Forest, grassland, desert, tundra


- Aquatic: Freshwater (lakes, rivers), Marine (oceans, coral reefs)

Ecosystem Stability and Homeostasis


Stable ecosystems resist and recover from disturbances.

Human Impact on Ecosystems


Pollution, deforestation, urbanization, climate change, and biodiversity loss.

5. Man and the Environment

A. Human Dependence on the Environment


Humans rely on nature for food, water, energy, raw materials, and medicine.

B. Human Impact on the Environment

1. Deforestation: biodiversity loss, erosion, climate change


2. Pollution: air, water, soil contamination
3. Climate Change: global warming, sea level rise
4. Overpopulation: resource depletion, waste generation
5. Loss of Biodiversity: habitat destruction, species extinction

C. Conservation and Sustainable Development

- Forest and wildlife conservation


- Renewable energy sources
- Environmental education and awareness
- Sustainable agriculture practices
- Waste management (reduce, reuse, recycle)

D. Role of Government and Organizations


Environmental laws, NGOs, and international bodies (UNEP, WHO, IPCC) promote
sustainability.

E. Conclusion
Human survival is tied to the health of the environment. Sustainable practices and
ecological awareness are vital for the future.

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