History and Principles of Ecology

Vocabulary flashcards covering the historical development, key concepts, and ten principles of ecology.

Oikos

The Greek root word meaning house or place to live, which forms the root of 'ecology'.

Ecology (Odum's Definition)

Defined by E. P. Odum in 1953 as the study of organisms "at home".

Ernst Haeckel

The scientist who used the term 'okologie' in 1869.

1893 Madison, WI Botanical Congress

The congress at which the spelling of 'okologie' was officially changed to 'ecology'.

Slobodkin (1988) Statement

Stated that "There is no science that claims the ecologist's leftovers".

Zebra Mussel

A feared invasive species confirmed in Cunningham Lake, Nebraska, on August 6, 2018.

Fundamental Question of Ecology

Understanding how and why diversity and abundance varies in time and space.

Principle 1 of Ecology (Kaspari)

Evolution organizes ecological systems into hierarchies.

Principle 2 of Ecology (Kaspari)

The sun is the ultimate source of energy for most ecosystems.

Principle 3 of Ecology (Kaspari)

Organisms are chemical machines that run on energy.

Principle 4 of Ecology (Kaspari)

Chemical nutrients cycle repeatedly while energy flows through an ecosystem.

Principle 5 of Ecology (Kaspari)

Represented by the equation $dN/dt = B - X + I$, stating that the rate a population changes is equal to births, minus deaths, plus immigration.

Principle 6 of Ecology (Kaspari)

Represented by the equation $dS/dt = D - X + I$, stating that the rate species diversity ($S$) in an area changes is equal to new ones that emerge, minus extinctions, plus immigration.

Principle 7 of Ecology (Kaspari)

Organisms interact - do things to each other - in ways that influence their abundance.

Principle 8 of Ecology (Kaspari)

Ecosystems are organized into webs of interactions.

Principle 9 of Ecology (Kaspari)

Human populations have an outsized role in competing with, preying upon, and helping other organisms.

Principle 10 of Ecology (Kaspari)

Ecosystems provide essential services to human populations.

Supporting Services

Essential ecosystem services that include nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production.

Provisioning Services

Essential ecosystem services that include food, freshwater, wood and fiber, and fuel.

Regulating Services

Essential ecosystem services that include climate regulation, flood regulation, and disease regulation.