Lecture Topic: Ecology – Definition, Types, Branches, and Scope
1. Introduction
Ecology is one of the most fascinating and dynamic branches of biology. It deals with the study of
relationships between living organisms and their physical as well as biological environment. The term
Ecology was first coined by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel in 1869, derived from the Greek words:
Oikos = house or dwelling
Logos = study or discourse
Hence, Ecology literally means “the study of organisms in their natural home.”
2. Definition of Ecology
Different scientists have defined ecology in various ways:
1. Ernst Haeckel (1869):
“Ecology is the study of the relationship of organisms with their surrounding environment.”
2. Odum (1963):
“Ecology is the study of structure and function of nature.”
3. E.P. Odum (1971):
“Ecology is the study of the interrelations between organisms and their environment, including both
biotic and abiotic components.”
In simple terms:
Ecology deals with how organisms interact with each other and with their non-living environment (like
air, water, soil, light, temperature).
3. Levels of Ecological Organization
Ecology can be studied at different levels of biological organization:
Level Description Example
Individual A single organism A fish in a pond
Population Group of individuals of same species living in a given area A school of fish
Community Populations of different species living togeth Fish, algae, and snails in a pond
Ecosystem Interaction between living organisms and their physical environment Pond
ecosystem
Biome Large geographical area with similar climate and vegetation Desert, tundra,
rainforest
Biosphere Global ecological system including all living organisms and their environments Earth
4. Types of Ecology
Ecology can be classified based on different criteria:
A. On the Basis of Habitat
1. Terrestrial Ecology:
Study of land ecosystems – forests, deserts, grasslands, mountains.
2. Aquatic Ecology:
Study of water ecosystems, further divided into:
Freshwater Ecology: Ponds, lakes, rivers.
Marine Ecology: Oceans, seas.
Estuarine Ecology: Where freshwater meets seawater.
3. Aerial Ecology:
Study of organisms that spend most of their time in the air (e.g., birds, insects).
B. On the Basis of Approach
1. Autecology (Individual Ecology):
Study of an individual species and its interaction with the environment.
Example: Study of the temperature tolerance of a frog species.
2. Synecology (Community Ecology):
Study of communities or groups of species and their relationships within an ecosystem.
Example: Study of plant and animal communities in a forest.
C. On the Basis of Environment
1. Physical Ecology: Focuses on abiotic factors like temperature, light, water, soil.
2. Chemical Ecology: Studies chemical interactions between organisms (e.g., pheromones, toxins).
3. Applied Ecology: Deals with human applications and solutions to environmental problems.
5. Branches of Ecology
Ecology has developed several specialized branches depending on the focus of study:
Branch Description
Population Ecology Study of population dynamics — growth, density, distribution, natality,
mortality, etc.
Community Ecology Study of species interactions, community structure, succession, and stability.
Ecosystem Ecology Focus on flow of energy and cycling of nutrients within ecosystems.
Habitat Ecology Study of organisms in relation to their habitat (forest, desert, aquatic, etc.).
Conservation Ecology Focuses on preservation and sustainable management of biodiversity.
Behavioural Ecology Studies how animal behavior helps in survival and reproduction.
Evolutionary Ecology Examines how evolutionary processes shape ecological interactions.
Human Ecology Studies interactions between humans and their environment.
Microbial Ecology Concerned with microorganisms and their ecological roles.
Landscape Ecology Examines spatial patterns and ecological processes across large areas.
Industrial Ecology Studies sustainable industrial processes to reduce environmental impact.
Urban Ecology Deals with ecological relationships within urban environments.
6. Scope of Ecology
The scope of ecology is vast and interdisciplinary. It connects biology with geography, climatology,
chemistry, and social sciences.
A. Academic and Research Scope
Understanding species distribution and abundance.
Studying adaptations of organisms to their environment.
Developing ecological models for predicting changes in ecosystems.
Research on biodiversity and conservation.
B. Environmental Management
Helps in controlling pollution and managing natural resources.
Guides afforestation, reforestation, and restoration of degraded ecosystems.
Aids in waste management and sustainable development.
C. Agricultural and Fisheries Applications
Helps in pest control and soil fertility maintenance.
Determines the carrying capacity of aquatic ecosystems for fisheries.
Promotes ecological farming and crop diversity.
D. Climate Change and Conservation
Ecology helps understand global warming, species migration, and extinction patterns.
Provides data for conserving endangered species and maintaining ecosystem balance.
E. Human Welfare
Ecological studies ensure sustainable use of resources.
Helps in planning cities, industries, and settlements with minimal environmental impact.
7. Importance of Ecology
1. Maintains balance between living and non-living components of nature.
2. Helps conserve biodiversity.
3. Guides in controlling environmental pollution.
4. Provides knowledge for sustainable use of natural resources.
5. Helps predict the consequences of human activities on ecosystems.
8. Summary
Ecology is the study of relationships between organisms and their environment.
It can be studied at different levels — individual, population, community, and ecosystem.
The main types include autecology, synecology, terrestrial, and aquatic ecology.
Branches extend from population ecology to urban and industrial ecology.
The scope of ecology covers conservation, environmental management, agriculture, and human welfare.
