Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships and interactions between biotic factors, such as species, populations, and communities, and abiotic factors, such as climate, soil, and light, within ecosystems. It examines the ecological niche of each species, their population dynamics, and how they adapt to their environment through ecological succession. The field of ecology is crucial for understanding ecosystem services, including provisioning, regulating, and cultural services, which are essential for maintaining ecological balance and avoiding habitat destruction and species extinction.
In community ecology, researchers investigate the complex interactions between species, including symbiosis, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism, as well as predation and the structure of food webs. They also explore the carrying capacity of ecosystems and how they respond to disturbances, such as ecosystem engineering.
Ecological indicators and modeling are used to monitor ecosystem health and predict the impacts of environmental changes. Ecological research and theory are essential for informing conservation biology and environmental science, and for developing effective strategies for preserving biodiversity.
Subfields of ecology include systems ecology, landscape ecology, freshwater ecology, marine ecology, terrestrial ecology, microbial ecology, molecular ecology, evolutionary ecology, behavioral ecology, chemical ecology, and physiological ecology, each of which provides a unique perspective on the complex relationships within ecosystems.
Acid rain is a term that refers to a mixture of wet and dry deposits (deposited material) from the atmosphere that contains greater than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. The precursors, or chemical precursors, to the formation of acid rain result from both natural sources, such as volcanoes and decaying vegetation, and man-made […]
A fundamental goal of conservation is to prevent species from becoming extinct, be it regional or global. But how do we define a species’ risk of extinction? A species can be described as Critically Endangered if the probability of extinction in 10 years or three generations is considered to be more than 50%; endangered if
Seas cover a smaller area than oceans and are usually found where land and ocean meet. Normally, the seas are partially enclosed by land. The only exception is the Sargasso Sea, which is defined by ocean currents. We often hear that size doesn’t matter, but in the maritime sector, it does. In fact, it’s a
Coral reefs are very complex ecosystems that, with their beautiful and unique structures, provide valuable habitats for fish and other animals. These structures are a refuge for many organisms such as fish, marine worms, clams, and many other animals and plants that play important roles in the coral reef ecosystem. Coral reefs are important for
Mutualism, or interspecific cooperation, is the way in which organisms of different species exist in a relationship where each benefits from the activity of the other. Mutualism as the term was first introduced by Pierre Joseph Van Beneden in his 1876 book Animal Parasites and Messmates. Mutualism isn’t synonymous with symbiosis, cooperation, or facilitation, even
Solar panels are made of crystalline silicon or thin-film and therefore those are the two main types of solar panels that are used in rooftop and outdoor installations, crystalline silicon, and thin film. Crystalline silicon solar panels are the most common, they have the appearance of blue or black rectangular grids of smaller squares. These