- What is ecology?
- History of ecology
- What are the branches of ecology?
- Importance of ecology
- Auxiliary Sciences of Ecology
- Environmental Protection
- Ecology and environmentalism
We explain what ecology is and what are the branches of study of this science. Also, what is environmental protection.
What is ecology?
Ecology is the branch of biology that is dedicated to the study of living beings and their relationship with the environment in which they live. In addition, ecology studies the abundance and distribution of living things that exist in an area or region determined.
They are taken into account as study factors within this discipline the biotic factors, which are all organisms alive; and the abiotic factors, As the weather and the soils.
This type of interaction can be studied according to the scales or levels of organization of individuals:
- Individual study. Study of each organism with the environment that surrounds it.
- Study of populations. Study of the interrelation of living beings belonging to the same species.
- Study of communities. Study of the relationship that occurs between different populations that inhabit the same area.
- Study of ecosystems. Study of the communities and their interaction with the environment that surrounds them.
- Study of the biosphere. Study of all living things in general.
History of ecology
Ecology evolved from the studies of some thinkers of the Ancient Greece, like Aristotle and Theophrastus (considered by some to be the father of botany). With the fall of the Greco-Roman civilization, the land of natural Sciences suffered some stagnation. Studies in this area only gained relevance again in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the importance of studying living beings and the interactions that exist between them and the environment they inhabit was discovered. In 1789, Gilbert White wrote Selborne's natural history, a book by which the naturalist is considered the first ecologist in England.
Although the history of this science begins in Ancient Greece, formally the term "ecology" was created in 1869 by the German naturalist Ernst Haeckel, who defined it as "that science that studies the relationships of living beings and their environment." The term ecology comes from the Greek words oikos ("Home") and logos ("study").
Some of the scientists and naturalists who with their contributions marked the path for the development of this branch of biology were:
- Carles Linnaeus (also called Carl von Linné). Swedish scientist known as the father of taxonomy, discipline by which all known living beings could be classified.
- Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt. German naturalist who in his explorations through the American continent collected and related information about the weather, natural resources, the flora and fauna.
- Karl Möbius. German zoologist who performed research pioneers in marine biology, and described the interactions between organisms in aquatic environments.
- Charles Darwin. English naturalist who raised the theory of evolution by natural selection. This theory constituted the foundations of modern ecology since it proposes the mechanisms that explain the ability of living beings to adapt to different environments.
What are the branches of ecology?
Microbial ecology is what is devoted to the study of microorganisms.
Ecology features a large number of branches. Among the most important are:
- Microbial ecology. It is devoted to the study of microorganisms in its habitat This branch has allowed the discovery of some fundamental facts such as, for example, that the activity of microorganisms in the terrestrial ecosystem it is the cause that the soil is fertile.
- Ecology of scenery. It involves the interrelation of two great Sciences: the geography and biology. The study is based on the observation landscapes in a natural way and the transformations that the action of human being produces in them.
- Recreation ecology. It analyzes the relationship between man and the environment, taking the human being always in a recreation context. In this way, specific sites destined for recreation such as trails, corridors, games and dispersal areas are put as an object of study.
- Ecology of the populations. Study the set of living beings of the same species that inhabit the same space at the same time. Here also comes into play the demography, science that is responsible for the study of populations of the same species, which analyzes and takes into account factors such as the number of members, distribution in sex and age, rate of birth rate Y mortality, among other population indicators.
- Evolutionary ecology. It is based on the study of the same population throughout the weather, so it is essential to evaluate the different transformations and the changes that in it are occurring as a result of different influencing factors.
- Social ecology. It involves issues of the order of philosophy since he studies the behaviour of living things as part of a group in a given area.
- Human ecology. It studies the human being and the relationship with its natural and social environment.
- Cultural ecology. Study the relationships between a society and its environment.
- Mathematical ecology. Study organisms and their relationship with their environment by applying mathematical theorems and formulas.
- Urban ecology. Study the interactions between the inhabitants of a town and the environment that surrounds it.
- Dendroecology. It studies tree growth rings and uses the information stored in them to assess the impact of different environmental conditions on tree growth.
Importance of ecology
The greatest achievement of the study of ecology is that it allows us to know the fundamental connections that exist between organisms and the abiotic factors that make up the environment.
Over time, it was discovered that preserving these connections is critical to maintaining balance in the ecosystems. Knowing these relationships allows caring for the environment, consciously managing the natural resources and take steps to anticipate environmental impact.
Ecology is a very comprehensive and interdisciplinary branch of biology as it uses tools from many sciences to make known the characteristics of the environment.
In recent decades, ecology has gained relevance due to the remarkable consequences of the impact of human activities on the environment.
Auxiliary Sciences of Ecology
Over the years, ecology has used techniques, tools and data from other sciences to develop its study. Among the most significant are:
- Geography. Ecology uses geography to know the different reliefs and the way in which living things are distributed in ecosystems.
- Math. Ecology uses techniques and mathematical theorems that help in the demographic study of populations.
- Physical Y chemistry. Ecology studies the transfer of Energy between the different components (biotic and abiotic) of ecosystems. In addition, chemistry contributes notions about the composition of the matter that constitutes living beings and abiotic factors.
- geology. Ecology uses the study of soils and the internal structure of the Earth and its processes for understanding the biomes.
- Climatology Y meteorology. Ecology analyzes the variations in the climates of each ecosystem and the impact on its biodiversity.
Environmental Protection
The environment is made up of biotic factors (living things) and abiotic factors (non-life components). Since a greater awareness was generated about the effects that abrupt changes in the environment produce as a result of the pollution, ecology is on the political agenda of all state.
To maintain the balance of our planet, it is essential that positive changes occur in the way in which human beings relate to the ecosystem that surrounds them.
This is the axis of many international groups and environmental associations that help to defend the environment through direct actions. While these organizations make complaints at the planetary level, some states sign international treaties in favor of a more efficient industrial production that does not entail dangers to natural resources or the lives of people. communities.
Caring for the environment must come from public policies with laws Y rules, but also from each particular individual, the Business and organisms. There are some actions that can be taken to reduce the environmental impact from homes, for example:
- Separate trash.
- Do not throw waste on public roads or in the nature.
- Turn off lights and unplug electronics that are not being used.
- Limit the use of Water current in the shower and when brushing your teeth.
- Use public transport or bicycles instead of cars.
- Plant a tree on the balcony or garden.
- Limit the consumption of products wrapped in plastic.
- Use cloth bags when making shopping.
Ecology and environmentalism
Ecology is studied by ecologists, who are scientists who study processes and relationships in the environment. Therefore, an ecologist is different from an ecologist.
From the second half of the 20th century, due to the impact of man's action on the nature, groups and people called environmentalists have appeared. They are part of social and civil movements and organizations whose purpose is the preservation of the environment and sustainable development.
Environmentalism transmits its messages through awareness-raising campaigns and mobilizations to the population with the objective, in addition, that these messages reach the political and economic spheres. They seek to promote the balance of the human being with the ecosystem that surrounds it since man is part of it and not the owner of it.
Environmentalism fights against entrenched practices, economic activities and customs that put in risk biodiversity, for example: nuclear tests, deforestation, indiscriminate fishing, indiscriminate use of plastics, misuse of natural resources.