Ecology
The term “ecology” (oekologie) is derived from two Greek
words oikos (meaning house or dwelling place and logos meaning
study) It was first proposed by Reiter (1868). However, the most widely
accepted definition of ecology was given by Ernest Haeckel (1869).
“The study of living organisms, both plants and animals, in their
natural habitats or homes.” - Reiter (1885)
“Ecology is the study of the reciprocal relationship between
living organisms and their environment.” - Earnest Haeckel (1889)
The interaction of organisms with their environment results in the
establishment of grouping of organisms which is called ecological hierarchy
or ecological levels of organization. The basic unit of ecological
hierarchy is an individual organism. The different hierarchy of ecological
systems is illustrated below:
Ecology is mainly divided into two branches, they are autecology
and synecology.
1. Autecology is the ecology of an
individual species and is also called species ecology.
2. Synecology is the ecology of a
population or community with one or more species and also called as
community ecology.
Many advances and developments in the field ecology resulted in
various new dimensions and branches. Some of the advanced fields are Molecular
ecology, Eco technology, Statistical ecology and Environmental toxicology.
Habitat is a specific physical place or locality occupied by an
organism or any species which has a particular combination of abiotic or
environmental factors. But the environment of any community is called Biotope.
An ecological niche refers to an organism’s place in the biotic
environment and its functional role in an ecosystem. The term was coined by the
naturalist Roswell Hill Johnson but Grinell (1917) was probably
first to use this term. The habitat and niche of any organism is called Ecotope
The differences between habitat and niche are as follows.
Taxonomically different species occupying similar habitats
(Niches) in different geographical regions are called Ecological
equivalents.
Examples:
·
Certain species of epiphytic orchids of Western Ghats of India
differ from the epiphytic orchids of South America. But they are epiphytes.
·
Species of the grass lands of Western Ghats of India differ from
the grass species of temperate grass lands of Steppe in North America. But they
are all ecologically primary producers and fulfilling similar roles in their
respective communities.
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