Polytechnic University of Zacatecas

Teacher: Adriana Ivette Cervantes Lopez

Students: Tania De Jesús Martinez Gutiérrez and Francisco Javier Galván

Ramírez

Unit: 4

Date: APRIL 18th

Proyect: article about ecology

Level: 8

Class: English 8

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 Introduction
Ecology is a scientific discipline that studies the interactions between organisms and
their environment. It focuses on understanding how living things interact with each
other and with abiotic elements, such as air, water, soil and sunlight, to form diverse
and complex ecosystems. This science investigates everything from the
relationships between individuals of the same species to the links between different
species and the effects of environmental factors, such as climate and resource
availability, on the distribution and abundance of organisms. Ecology is not only of
scientific interest, but also of crucial importance in the understanding and
management of human impacts on the environment, as well as in the conservation
of biodiversity and the maintenance of ecosystem services fundamental for life in the
environment. planet. In short, ecology is fundamental to understanding how the
natural world works and how we can care for it sustainably for future generations.

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 ECOLOGY

What is?

Ecology is a fundamental scientific discipline that studies the relationships between

living organisms and their environment, ranging from the most intimate interactions
between individuals of the same species to the complex connections between
different organisms and the abiotic elements that make up their habitat. This branch
of biology focuses on understanding how organisms interact with the physical,
chemical, and biological components of their environment, such as climate, soil,
water, sunlight, and other environmental factors. Ecology delves into understanding
the patterns and processes that govern the distribution and abundance of living
organisms, as well as the effects of environmental changes, both natural and human-
induced, on ecosystems. Additionally, ecology is not only of scientific interest but
also of crucial relevance in biodiversity conservation, natural resource management,
and the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts. In summary, ecology provides
us with a comprehensive and holistic understanding of nature, helping us
comprehend its functioning and promote harmonious coexistence between humanity
and the environment for a sustainable future.

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Ecology on many scales

Within the discipline of ecology, researchers work at five broad levels, sometimes
separately and sometimes with overlap: organism, population, community,
ecosystem, and biosphere.

Organism: Organism ecologists study adaptations, the beneficial characteristics

that arise through natural selection and that allow them to live in specific habitats.
These adaptations can be morphological, physiological or behavioral.

Population: A population is a group of organisms of the same species that live in

the same area at the same time. Population ecologists study the size, density, and
structure of populations and how they change over time.

Community: A biological community is made up of all the populations of the different

species that live in a given area. Community ecologists focus on interactions
between populations and how those interactions shape the community.

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Ecosystem: An ecosystem consists of all the organisms in an area, the community,
and the abiotic factors that influence that community. Ecosystem ecologists often
focus on energy flow and nutrient recycling.

Biosphere: The biosphere is planet Earth, seen as an ecological system. Ecologists

working at the biosphere level can study global patterns – such as climate or the
distribution of species –, interactions between ecosystems, and phenomena that
affect the entire planet, such as climate change.

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 Conclusion

Ecology emerges as an essential field of study in a world increasingly aware of

environmental challenges. This article highlights ecology as a discipline that goes
beyond the mere observation of living beings, delving into the understanding of the
intricate networks of interactions between organisms and their environment. Delving
deeper into these links reveals how any change, whether natural or human-induced,
can trigger ripple effects in ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem
services vital for human survival. In this context, the conservation and restoration of
ecosystems is positioned as an urgent priority, demanding a concerted response at
a global level that integrates science, politics and citizen action.

Credits
This article is a modified derivative of "The scope of ecology" by OpenStax
College, Biology, CC BY 3.0. Download the original article for free at
http://cnx.org/contents/185cbf87-c72e-48f5-b51e-f14f21b5eabd@9.85.

The modified article is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.