ECOLOGY

Ecology is defined as the study of

plants and animals in relation to their
environment.
Ecology comes from the Greek words
“Oikos” means house, -λογία -logia
means the study of life. Study of
“house/environment” in which we
live.
 TWO BRANCHES OF ECOLOGY
Autecology is concerned with the study of
an individual organism or a single species of
organism and its environment. For example,
the study of a single rat and its
environment.
Synecology is concerned with the study of
the inter-relationships between groups of
organisms or species of organisms living
together in an area. For example, the study
of different organisms in a river in relation
 FACTORS OF ECOLOGY
• Biotic Factors – all living organisms inhabiting
the Earth.
• Living organism – Plants, Animals,
Microorganism in soil, etc.
• Abiotic Factors - Nonliving parts of the
environment (temperature, soil, light,
moisture, air )
• Nonliving components in the environment –
water, wind, nutrients in the soil, heat, solar
radiation, atmosphere, etc.
 Classification of Ecology

Ecophysiology – examines how the physiological

functions of organisms influence the way they
interact with the environment, both biotic and
abiotic.
 Classification of Ecology
Behavioral ecology – examines the roles of
behavior in enabling an animal to adapt to its
environment.
 Classification of Ecology
Population ecology- studies the dynamics of
populations of a single species.
 Classification of Ecology
Community ecology (or synecology) - focuses
on the interactions between species within an
ecological community. Population are linked by
Interspecific interactions that impact the survival
& reproduction of species involved
 Classification of Ecology
Ecosystem ecology- studies the flows of energy
and matter through the biotic and abiotic
components of ecosystems.
 Classification of Ecology
Systems ecology - is an interdisciplinary field
focusing on the study, development, and
organization of ecological systems from a holistic
perspective.
 Classification of Ecology
Landscape ecology - examines processes and
relationships in a spatially explicit manner, often
across multiple ecosystems or very large
geographic areas.
 Classification of Ecology

Ecosystem - refers to a community of

plants and animals functioning together
with their non-living environment. In
other words, the ecosystem consists of
the living factors (plants and animals)
interacting with the non-living factors in
an environment.
 Classification of Ecology
Evolutionary ecology- studies ecology in a way
that explicitly considers the evolutionary
histories of species and their interactions.
 Classification of Ecology
Political ecology - connects politics and
economy to problems of environmental control
and ecological change.
 5 Levels of Ecology

Organism – It is the lowest level of organization, which

includes both unicellular and multicellular organisms.
All the living species in this level exhibit all the
characteristics required for the existence of life.
Population - is a group of individuals of a single
species living together within a particular geographic
area. They interbreed and compete with each other
for resources.
Community - it refers to the several populations that
interact and inhabit a common environment and are
interdependent. And all the living beings distributed
into a specific geographical area. A community
includes organisms of different species.
 Levels of Ecology

Ecosystem - It is a set of all living species and

abiotic components existing and interacting in a
given area. It is a collection of organisms that
live in a place with a non living environment.
Biosphere - it is the highest level of organization.
It is the global ecological system that consists of
all the living organisms and other factors which
support life. The biosphere is the surface of the
earth; it is the whole portion of Earth colonized
by living beings.
 Ecological Crisis
The main causes of the Ecological Crisis are:

Over Population – depletion of resources

that occurs when too many of at least one
kind of living thing inhabit an ecosystem.
Environment Pollution – contamination of
the environment and harm or discomfort to
humans or other living species.
Deforestation – the logging or burning of
trees in forested areas.
 Major Ecological Crisis

Greenhouse Effect – means the change in the

thermal equilibrium temperature of a planet by
the presence of an atmosphere containing gas
that absorbs infrared radiation.
 Major Ecological Crisis

Global Warming – an increase in the average

temperature of the earth’s atmosphere.
 Major Ecological Crisis
Climate Changes – means a long-term significant
change in the “average weather” that a given
region experiences. Average weather may
include average temperature, precipitation, and
wind patterns. It causes natural disasters.
 Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical Cycle – any of the

natural pathways by which essential
elements of living matter are
circulated. The term biogeochemical is
a contraction that refers to the
consideration of the biological,
geological, and chemical aspects of
each cycle.
Example of Biogeochemical Cycles
 Biogeochemical Cycles
The term biogeochemical is derived from
“bio” meaning biosphere, “geo” meaning the
geological components, and “chemical”
meaning the elements that move through a
cycle.

The matter on Earth is conserved and present

in the form of atoms. Since matter can neither
be created nor destroyed, it is recycled in the
earth’s system in various forms.
 Biogeochemical Cycles
The earth obtains energy from the sun which is
radiated back as heat, rest all other elements are
present in a closed system. The major elements
include:
Carbon
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Phosphorus
Sulfur
These elements are recycled through the biotic and
abiotic components of the ecosystem.
 Types of Biogeochemical Cycles

Gaseous cycles – Includes Carbon,

Oxygen, Nitrogen, and the Water
cycle.

Sedimentary cycles – Includes

Sulphur, Phosphorus, Rock cycle, etc.
 Water Cycle

The water from the different water bodies evaporates,

cools, condenses and falls back to the earth as rain.

This biogeochemical cycle is responsible for maintaining

weather conditions. The water in its various forms
interacts with the surroundings and changes the
temperature and pressure of the atmosphere.

There’s another process called Evapotranspiration (i.e.

vapor produced from leaves) which aids this process. It is
the evaporation of water from the leaves, soil, and water
bodies to the atmosphere which again condenses and
falls as rain.
Water Cycle
 Carbon Cycle

All green plants use carbon dioxide and sunlight

for photosynthesis. Carbon is thus stored in the
plant. The green plants, when dead, are buried
into the soil that gets converted into fossil fuels
made from carbon. These fossil fuels when burnt,
release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Animals that consume plants, obtain the carbon
stored in the plants. This carbon is returned to the
atmosphere when these animals decompose after
death. The carbon also returns to the environment
through cellular respiration by animals.
 Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen is an essential element of life. The

nitrogen in the atmosphere is fixed by the
nitrogen-fixing bacteria present in the root
nodules of the leguminous plants and made
available to the soil and plants.
The bacteria present in the roots of the plants
convert this nitrogen gas into a usable compound
called ammonia. Ammonia is also supplied to
plants in the form of fertilizers. This ammonia is
converted into nitrites and nitrates. The
denitrifying bacteria reduce the nitrates into
nitrogen and return them into the atmosphere.
 Oxygen Cycle

This biogeochemical cycle moves through the

atmosphere, the lithosphere, and the biosphere.
Oxygen is an abundant element on our Earth. It is
found in the elemental form in the atmosphere
to the extent of 21%.
Oxygen is released by the plants during
photosynthesis. Humans and other animals
inhale the oxygen exhale carbon dioxide which is
again taken up by the plants. They utilize this
carbon dioxide in photosynthesis to produce
oxygen, and the cycle continues.
 Phosphorus Cycle

Phosphorus is extracted by the weathering of

rocks. Due to rains and erosion phosphorus is
washed away in the soil and water bodies. Plants
and animals obtain this phosphorus through the
soil and water and grow. Microorganisms also
require phosphorus for their growth. When the
plants and animals die, they decompose, and
the stored phosphorus is returned to the soil
and water bodies which is again consumed by
plants and animals and the cycle continues.
 Sulfur Cycle

Sulfur is released into the atmosphere by the

weathering of rocks and is converted into
sulfates. These sulfates are taken up by the
microorganisms and plants and converted
into organic forms. Organic Sulfur is
consumed by animals through food. When
the animals die and decompose, Sulfur is
returned to the soil which is again obtained
by the plants and microbes, and the cycle
continues.
 History of Pollution

Pollution started from prehistoric times when

man created the first fires - humans burnt wood
to cook food, the smoke emitted was pollution.
Metal forging a key turning point in the creation
of significant air pollution levels outside the
home. But the level of pollution low and absorbed
by the earth's natural systems - main pollution
from animal waste, household waste, smoke, and
ash. With Industrial Revolution, with the invention
of the machine from the printing press to
vehicles, the levels, and type of pollution rose
sharply.
 Pollution
Pollutant - is a waste material that pollutes air,
water, or soil. A pollutant may cause long- or short-
term damage by changing the growth rate of plant
or animal species, or by interfering with human
amenities, comfort, health, or property values.
Pollutants may be classified by various criteria:
l) By the origin: whether they are natural or man-
made (synthetic).
(2) By the effect: on an organ, species, or an entire
(3) By the properties: mobility, persistence, toxicity.
(4) By the controllability: ease or difficulty of
removal.
EXAMPLE OF AIR POLLUTANT
EXAMPLE OF WATER POLLUTANT
EXAMPLE OF SOIL POLLUTANT
 Types of Pollution

Air Pollution - refers to the release of pollutants

like toxic gases, biological molecules, and
particulate matter into the atmosphere. The
pollutants can be derived from several sources
including both natural processes and human
activity. Volcanic eruptions, limnic eruptions,
automobile, and industrial effluents, etc., are some
examples of air pollution sources. Carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons,
aerosol sprays, etc., are some examples of air
pollutants. Such pollution can be highly
detrimental to the health and well-being of all life
forms on earth.
 Types of Pollution
Water Pollution – the contamination of water
bodies like lakes, rivers, ponds, aquifers, etc., by
pollutants. It can have extremely disastrous
consequences for all living beings using
contaminated water. A major volume of all the
pollutants produced on land end up in water
bodies. Toxic wastes released by industries,
pathogens released in sewage, harmful chemicals
present in agricultural runoffs, etc., are some of the
top water pollutants. The contamination of water
can lead to epidemics and even pandemics that can
wipe out the population of an entire species or
even more than one species.
 Types of Pollution
Soil Contamination - When the soil of an
area is contaminated, it leads to soil
pollution or land degradation. The soil is
essential to the growth of all plants
including crops. Thus, a degradation in the
soil quality translates to lower yields and
poor health of crops grown on such soil.
Industrial and agricultural chemicals are
the common pollutants contaminating the
soil.
 Types of Pollution
Noise Pollution - When the environment is filled
with unnecessary or unpleasant sounds that are
harmful to animals and plants, it is called noise
pollution. Transport vehicles, machinery,
industries, loud music, people yelling, etc., are
some of the most common sources of noise
pollution. This type of pollution in the long-term
can give rise to chronic diseases like
cardiovascular diseases. The psychological
health of people can also be affected by noise.
 Types of Pollution
Plastic Pollution - As the name suggests, plastic
pollution is caused by plastic accumulation in
the environment. Plastic, a non-biodegradable
substance, is extremely harmful to all life on
earth. Every year, thousands of animals lose
their lives due to plastic pollution. Ingestion of
plastics or entanglement in plastic objects kills
these animals. Most of the plastic waste
generated in the world ends up in the oceans
where they cause great harm to the marine
ecosystem.
 Types of Pollution
Radio Active Pollution - When radioactive
substances are present in areas where their
presence is undesirable or unintended, it results in
a type of pollution called radioactive
contamination. Such substances are highly toxic to
all life on earth. Radioactive substances trigger
mutations in the genetic material of living
organisms, leading to different types of cancers.
Exposure to such toxins can also adversely impact
the different systems of the body. Death or
disfiguration are common effects of exposure to
radioactive waste.
 Types of Pollution
Light Pollution - The pollution of the night
environment by anthropogenic light is known as
light pollution. This type of pollution is caused
by excessive lighting of the streets, floodlights
used in stadiums, lights used in an industrial
area, etc. The negative effects of light pollution
include the spoilage of the aesthetic
environment of a place, creating disturbances in
the ecosystem, and also harming the health of
living creatures.
 Types of Pollution
Thermal Pollution - An induced change in the
temperature of large volumes of water causes
thermal pollution. This type of pollution leads to
the degradation of water quality as the warm
water does not provide ideal living conditions for
aquatic flora and fauna. Higher temperatures also
alter the composition of dissolved elements in the
water. The flora and fauna living in the area that
was earlier adapted to a particular temperature
range can be killed by this abrupt change in the
water temperature. Thus, aquatic life experiences
a thermal shock due to thermal pollution.
 Types of Pollution
Visual Pollution - Everyone loves to see clean
and green spaces and beautiful vistas. When
human activity installs ugly barriers to this vision
of open and clutter-free landscapes, it is called
visual pollution. The installation of billboards,
open storage of trash, networks of electric wires
crisscrossing each other above the street, etc.,
create visual pollution. This type of pollution
generates distraction, eye fatigue, diversity in
opinions, and other psychological problems.
 Types of Pollution
Littering - When waste products generated by
humans is not disposed of properly, it is called
littering. Here, waste can include anything that is
discarded by humans after use like bottles, glass,
packaging material, electronic waste, metal waste,
etc. Some of these pollutants like electronics,
batteries, tires, etc., are hazardous to the health of
the environment. When chemicals from such wastes
leach into the soil or enter the water bodies, they
cause soil contamination and water pollution.
Finally, these chemicals enter the bodies of
organisms to cause disease and death.
 Types of Air Pollution

Indoor Pollution - It is the pollution of air caused

by the introduction of materials from smoking
and burning fossil fuels such as kerosene,
petroleum, and coal indoors. Fuels are burned
indoors for cooking and cooling or heating
purposes. Chemicals from cleaning products,
wall paints, pesticides, and air fresheners also
contribute to indoor air pollution.
PRIMARY SOURCES OF INDOOR POLLUTION
INDOOR COOKING
INDOOR HEATING
SPRAYING AIR FRESHENER
SPRAYING PESDICIDES INDOOR
USING CHEMICALS FOR CLEANING
INDOOR HOUSE PAINTING
 Types of Air Pollution

Outdoor Pollution - The levels of outdoor air

pollution reach their peak in developing
countries, most of them from Asia. The air
outside is polluted mainly from vehicle
exhaust and emissions from industries.
Several pollutants are mixed in the air and a
large portion of the world population is
regularly exposed to harmful air quality.
OUTDOOR POLLUTION

BEFORE NOW
Two major types of air pollution which harm
human health
Smog is the mixture of two components; smoke and fog. The
term was introduced first in the mid-20th century in London.
• Its primary component is harmful ozone found at the
ground level. Smog is formed as a result of complex
photochemical reactions that involve nitrogen oxides and
volatile organic compounds. Smog-causing pollutants are
found in sources like exhaust from vehicles, fumes from
power plants, and solvents.
• Smog can cause several health problems like breathing
problems, decrease in resistance to colds and infections,
irritation of eyes and throat, asthma, etc.
Smog
SMOG FORMATION
Particle pollution is also a serious issue in
the world. It is widespread in cities and
urban areas. This kind of pollution is
caused due to the exhaust from burning
diesel fuels in the heavy transportation,
burning of fuels in power plants, and
burning wood. It has been known to
increase problems of heart diseases,
cancer of the lungs, coughs, and asthma.