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 R. Misra Reiter (1868). However, the most widely accepted definition of ecology was given by Ernest Haeckel(1869).

Alexander von Humbolt - Father of Ecology

Eugene P. Odum - Father of modern Ecology

R. Misra - Father of Indian Ecology

Definitions of ecology

“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)

Ecological hierarchy

The interaction of Biosphere organisms with their environment results in Biome the establishment of grouping of organisms Landscape which is called ecological hierarchy or ecological Ecosystem levels of organization. The basic unit of Community ecological hierarchy is an individual organism. The Population hierarchy of ecological systems is illustrated below: Individual organism

Branches of Ecology:

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 and Niche

Habitat 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.

Niche 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.

Habitat Niche
1. A specific
physical space
occupied by
an organism
(species)		 A functional space
occupied by an
organism in the same
eco-system
2. Same habitat
may be shared by
many organisms
(species)		 A single niche is
occupied by a single
species
3. Habitat
specificity is
exhibited by
organism.		 Organisms may
change their niche
with time and season.
Do You Know Applied ecology or environmental technology : Application of the Science of ecology is otherwise called as Applied ecology or Environmental technology. It helps us to manage and conserve natural resources, particularly ecosystems, forest and wild life conservative and management. Environmental management involves Bio-diversity conservation, Ecosystem restoration, Habitat management, Invasive species management, Protected areas management and also help us plan landscapes and environmental impact designing for the futuristic ecology.

Ecological equivalents

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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