Ecology

Every living creature on this planet is connected. The invisible network of this connection is complicated but super-delicate. Even if one string gets destroyed, the whole network gets affected. We call this intangible yet astoundingly glorious network of living and non-living beings, Ecology. Let’s learn more about ecology and terms related to it. 

What is Ecology? 

Ecology is the study of the relationship of living creatures with each other and the environment around us. An ecologist is the one who conducts all the research in this scientific field. 

The term ecology came into existence in 1869. The German biologist Ernst Haeckel coined this term. It originates from combining two Greek words, ‘Oikos’ and ‘logos’, which mean home and study, respectively. 

Ecology helps to study the relationship between biotic and abiotic components of the earth’s complex ecosystem. We get to know and learn about the ecosystem of different creatures and their interactions with their surroundings. 

We learn about the varied populations living on the planet, their communities, habitats, biome, and the biosphere. 

What is meant by environment? 

The word “environment” refers to the surroundings to which a creature lives in and gets adapted to despite the varied conditions of that setting. The environment is a mixture of biotic and abiotic components. 

It means that both biotic and abiotic components play a significant part in establishing the environment. So, if any of the elements change, the whole system is affected and changes. 

Abiotic elements of the ecosystem 

The abiotic components that are a part of the diverse ecosystem of the earth are: 

1. Light – Light is the source of energy from where plants make their food, and then, they fulfill the diet of other organisms. Sunlight helps in the process of photosynthesis and provides warmth for many species to grow and live. 
2. Rainfall – Rainfall is the consequence of the water cycle. Rainfall quenches the thirst of organisms living on the planet. Rainfall fills up the water bodies that support many aquatic lives. 
3. Temperature – Temperature is an important factor because life can only bloom at a particular temperature. Sun helps in balancing the temperature. Also, the perfect distance of the earth from the sun allowed life to bloom.
4. Atmosphere – The atmosphere around us makes the organisms breathe. The atmosphere consists of 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, 0.4% carbon dioxide, and 0.01% other gases.  
5. Substratum – The substratum is the layer of soil. Every form of life starts from soil and then becomes part of the soil. Soil has many tiny bacteria, protozoa, fungi, small invertebrates, and microbes that help increase the fertility of the land. 

Biotic elements of the ecosystem

The massive ecosystem comprises various biotic components that are an integral part of this vibrant network. They are: 

1. Plants – Green plants make their food through the photosynthesis process. 
2. Animals – Animals are a part of this diverse ecosystem. All the biotic and abiotic elements work together to make survival on earth possible.  

Ecological Hierarchy Pattern 

The grouping of organisms on various levels is the ecological hierarchy. The different levels of hierarchy go as: 

1. Individuals 

Individuals are the first or base level of hierarchy. This level is more interested in finding how an organism of a species interacts with the surrounding environment. This level focuses more on the response of an individual’s biological, morphological, and physiological development in a given environment. The basis of evolution helps in researching and learning more about this level. 

For example, this level helps scientists in figuring out why a giraffe has a long neck. 

2. Population  

A population is a group of the same kind that live and adapt to a particular environment together. The factors like birth and immigration support the growth of the population, whereas death and emigration cause the downfall of the species population. 

For example, every angelfish living in the ocean would make up an angelfish population. They will live together in the same area. 

3. Community 

Community means combining different kinds of the same species. A community is a group of organisms of several species that share and live in the same environmental conditions. Both plants and animals are a part of this level. It is because they both fulfil the requirements of each other. For pollination, plants require animals. Meanwhile, animals need plants to satisfy their dietary needs. 

For example, the angelfish population lives with other kinds of marine creatures and aquatic plant life. They all together form a single community. 

4. Ecosystem 

An ecosystem is a group of organisms and physical environments that live and act as one ecological unit. It means that all the biotic and abiotic components play their part at this level. It is the part where everything gets complicated. Even if a single element of an ecosystem is disturbed or affected, the entire ecosystem has to face the consequences.   

  5. Biome 

Biome means a biological home. We say that biomes are a collection of the same ecosystems with almost living conditions anywhere in the world. Different and large biomes make up the biosphere. All the organisms in a biome have the same characteristics and also live in the same environmental conditions. 

  6. Biosphere 

The biosphere constitutes everything, living, and non-living things. The biosphere is the global ecosystem. A biosphere extends from a few kilometres into the atmosphere to the deepest ocean corners where life exists. Everything within this range is part of the biosphere.