Introduction to Ecology

Ecology is a science
Ecology is only understandable in light of evolution
Nothing happens “for the good of the species”
Gene and environment are both important
‘Story-telling’ is dangerous
Understanding complexity requires models
There are hierarchies in explanation
There are multiple constraints in an organism
Chance is important
The boundaries of ecology are in the mind of the ecologist

10 Rules of Ecology

Everything is connected to everything else
Everything must go somewhere
Nature knows best
There is no such thing as free lunch

4 Laws of Ecology

Oekologie
oikos
logos

Ecology

Nominal definition:
“__________”, __________ (household) + _________ (study) (nature’s household)

the study of the natural environment including the relations of organisms to one another and to their surroundings

Ecology

Realist definition:

ecology
distribution and abundance

-scientific study of the relationships between living organisms and their interaction with the environment
- the scientific study of the interactions that determine the __________________ of organisms

What organisms are there?
How do they occur?
Why do they occur there?

Basic Questions in Ecology

Discover and describe patterns in nature
Explain observed patterns in nature
Predict or control patterns

What do Ecologists do?

autecology
synecology

2 Divisions of Ecology

autecology

"aut"-self/individual
- self-starting
- self / individual ecology

autecology

individual ecology; ecological requirements: behavior and adaptations of a single specie

synecology

-community ecology
- seeks to understand how multiple species coexist in a given ecosystem
*different species have different behaviors

ecology is a science

10 Rules of Ecology

- uses scientific method

observation
inquisitiveness

Ecology relies on _____ and ___________

Research question
Formulate hypothesis
Test hypothesis
Draw conclusion
Report

The scientific method

Ecology is only understandable in the light of evolution

10 Rules of Ecology

- the environment that organisms inhabit shape the evolution that occurs

survive
reproduce

How does one become fit (survival of the fittest)?

surviving gene

each individual has a __________ (selfish gene)

“altruistic” gene

-gene that will allow them to survive

Nothing happens “for the good of the species”

10 Rules of Ecology

ex:
- mother will never leave egg (will eat all of its deposits) - death of the mother
- female praying mantis will eat male praying mantis, black widow spider

Genes and environment are both important

10 Rules of Ecology

ex:

phenotype

genetic code + the environmental stimuli

pH of soil
color

in hydrangea

environmental factor - _______________
genetic - ________ (amount of anthocyanin produced)

Hydrogen ions will to soil particles
Aluminum will be free, thus absorbed by hydrangea
Absorbed hydrogen ions will activate Aluminum ion pump
Production of anthocyanins

explain the process if color production of hydrangeas

Understanding the complexity requires models

10 Rules of Ecology

-due to multiple interactions in a second

Models

-mimics real-world phenomenon and by which predictions can be made
- could be graphical or mathematical

‘Story-telling’ is dangerous

10 Rules of Ecology

-temptation to advance hypotheses as facts should be avoided

There are hierarchies of explanation

10 Rules of Ecology

Stationary mouse for 3 days:

Proximal explanation: it was dead

Further probing: open up cadaver
- high density of gut parasites (anatomical lvl)
- mouse was genetically predisposed
- environmental conditions had favored parasite survival

There are multiple constraints on organisms

10 Rules of Ecology

Physical constraints
Evolutionary constraints

physical constraints

physical laws dictate what is and is not possible for organisms to achieve

evolutionary constraints

caused by complexities of evolutionary history and the limitations on genetic flexibility

Chance is important

10 Rules of Ecology

- all organisms are opportunists to survive

The boundaries of ecology are in the mind of the ecologist

10 Rules of Ecology

- A good ecologist regards mathematics, chemistry, physics and other disciplines as tools essential to the understanding of ecology

Barry Commoner

4 laws of ecology was made by

sustainability

meet your needs at the present without compromising the needs of the capacity of the future generation to meet their own needs