Ecology Overview

Introduction to Ecology

• Ecology Definition: The study of ecosystems and the interactions between organisms and their environment.
• Importance: Understanding ecosystems helps us keep them healthy.

Resilience of Ecosystems

• Ecosystems possess resilience and can be rehabilitated despite human impact.
• Adaptation and Evolution: Life adapts and evolves to survive in changing conditions (Example: Dinosaurs in Jurassic Park).
• Extinction: Although some species may go extinct, evolution continues to shape life forms.

Levels of Biological Organization

• Hierarchy of Life:
  • Cells
  • Tissues
  • Organs
  • Organisms
  • Populations
  • Communities
  • Ecosystems
  • Biosphere (Earth)

Abiotic and Biotic Factors

• Abiotic Factors: Non-living components of the environment:

  • Rocks
  • Minerals
  • Water
  • Gases

• Biotic Factors: Living components:

  • Plants and animals
  • Microorganisms

Needs of Living Organisms

• Essential requirements for life:
  • Space: All organisms need room to live and grow.
  • Gas Exchange: Critical for respiration and photosynthesis.
  • Energy: All forms of life require energy (e.g., humans depend on plants).
  • Water and Nutrient Availability: Necessary for all life processes.

Human Population Growth

• Statistics:
  • 1850: Earth population was 1.3 billion.
  • Current: Approximately 7.2 billion.
  • Projected for 2050: 9.2 billion.
• Implications of Rapid Population Growth:
  • Increased need for food, housing, clean air, and water.
  • Higher pollution levels resulting in significant ecosystem load.

Ecosystem Dynamics

• Ecosystems: Communities of species interacting with each other and their environment.
• Specialization: Organisms often specialize to their environment (Example: Wetlands).
• Ecosystem Services:
  • Water absorption
  • Flood prevention
  • Water purification

Biodiversity

• Definition: Variety of life forms in ecosystems.
• Importance of biodiversity for ecosystem stability and resilience.

The Role of Ecologists

• Ecologists: Study interactions within ecosystems using scientific methods.
• Investigate nutrient cycles and the overall health of ecosystems.

Climate Change Impact on Ecosystems

• Changes include habitat loss, droughts, floods, and altered weather patterns.
• Impact specifics:
  • Temperature Changes: Affects species survival, such as shellfish die-offs due to heat waves.
  • Gas Exchange: Altered by pollution and climate change.
  • Nutrient Cycles: Affected by human activities.

Overview of Ecosystem Components

• Abiotic Factors: Include solar radiation, moisture, soil minerals.
• Biotic Factors: Include all living organisms and their interactions.
• Examples of Abiotic and Biotic Factors:
  • Abiotic: Temperature, wind, nutrients.
  • Biotic: Fish, birds, plants, pathogens.

Earth's Water and Air Volume

• Earth's surface water is a thin layer compared to the overall planet size.
• Atmospheric gases are limited and can be polluted, emphasizing the need for conservation.

Conclusion

• Review of essential needs for living things and the complexities of ecosystems.
• Future focus on ecosystem goods and services will continue in part two of the lecture.