The Earth and Life Sciences:

The Basic Principles of the

Ecosystem
Geologic Process that Occur
within the Earth
Learning Objectives
•Categorize the different biotic potential and
environmental resistance (e.g., diseases, availability
of food, and predators) that affect population
explosion
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
Ecology
 The study of the relationships between different
forms of biological life and their natural
surroundings.
 All living things are dependent on both nature and
each other for their survival
 Dependence is called Ecological Interdependence:
Can take numerous forms from food webs to
habitat creation.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
Ecological Principles
 The following describe the assumptions needed to
plan actions for conserving biodiversity
• Protection of species and species subdivisions will
support biodiversity.
• Maintaining habitat is fundamental to conserving
species.
• Large areas usually contain more species than
smaller areas with similar habitat. The
connection varies.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
Ecological Principles
 The following describe the assumptions needed
to plan actions for conserving biodiversity:
• Disturbances shape the characteristics of
populations, communities and ecosystems.
• Climate change will increasingly influence all
types of ecosystems.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
 THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
Descriptions of the Eight Ecological Principles and Associated Concepts
Principle Description Associated Concepts
Adaptation The way a life system looks Evolution, Life History
or behaves is not random or Patterns, Natural Selection,
accidental; rather it is the Survival, Predator-Prey
result of changing to survive Interactions
in a dynamic environment.
Behavior Living systems evolve Reproduction, Predator-Prey
behavioral responses to interactions, Dispersal,
stress and disturbances to Survival (humans and other
enhance survival. animal species), Pest
Control (exotics, nuisance
animals) Harvesting
Diversity Changes in environmental Competition, Land-Use
conditions over time have Practices, Genetics,
led to variety within each Survival, Fragmentation
level of organization.
 THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
Behavior Living systems evolve
behavioral responses to
stress and disturbances to
Reproduction, Predator-Prey
interactions, Dispersal,
Survival (humans and other
enhance survival. animal species), Pest
Control (exotics, nuisance
animals) Harvesting
Diversity Changes in environmental Competition, Land-Use
conditions over time have Practices, Genetics,
led to variety within each Survival, Fragmentation
level of organization.
Emergent Properties When different levels of Complexity, Synthesis,
organization are functioning Teamwork, Government
together, new properties are
created that were not
operational at lower levels
Energy Flow Energy cannot be created Thermodynamics, Food
nor destroyed but it can Chains, Tropic Levels, Heat
change form. Energy quality Exchange
is always degraded through
transformation.
 THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
Energy Flow Energy cannot be created
nor destroyed but it can
Thermodynamics, Food
Chains, Tropic Levels, Heat
change form. Energy quality Exchange
is always degraded through
transformation.
Growth and Development As organisms and systems Succession, Reproduction,
increase in size, changes Population Dynamics,
occur that allow survival. Competition
Growth rate slows as
maximum capacity is met.
Limits There are limits to how Sustainability,
much stress can be Conservation, Disease,
tolerated by living systems Natural Disaster,
Agriculture, Pollution
Regulation Energy is spent if a signal is Feedback Loops,
sent to increase or decrease Organismal Systems,
some function to maintain Cybernetics
balance.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
APPLYING ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS AND
PRINCIPLES IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

These ecological concepts and principles are

closely inter-related, and they must be applied in
harmony with one another. The following
applications are based on Coarse- and Fine-filter
considerations:
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
APPLYING ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES IN
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

• Use both filters: Use a Coarse-filter to create a network of

representative protected areas and manage surrounding
areas in a way that most closely emulates natural
processes. Use a Fine-filter to fill in the gaps by
conserving ecosystems, features and species not
adequately protected through the coarse filter approach.
• Represent all native ecosystem types in a system of
protected areas.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
APPLYING ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES IN
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

• Retain large contiguous or connected areas that sustain

natural ecological processes. Represent all native ecosystem
types in a system of protected areas.
• Maintain or emulate natural ecological processes.
• Manage for adaptability in response to environmental change.
• Maintain viable populations of all native species in
natural patterns of abundance and distribution.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
APPLYING ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES IN
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

• Preserve rare landscape elements, critical habitats and

features, and associated species.
• Minimize the introduction and spread of invasive alien
species.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF THE ECOSYSTEM
In Conclusion

The ecological concepts and principles, and their

application to conserve biodiversity described in this
document are intended to provide a science-based starting
point for the action on biodiversity conservation.