DEFINING ECOLOGY

Operational definition of ecology is

the study of the distribution and
abundance of organisms
The first complication is the problem
of Spatial Scale (the size of area
examined)
Ex : Dispersal of the plant may
involve longer distances if birds eat
the fruit and fly from field to field
depositing seeds

Defining ecological communities

Distribution
Distribution is the spatial location
of organisms in a population.
There are two areas to consider in
describing distribution: the boundary
and patterns within the boundary.

1. Geographic Range
The outer limit of the location of members
of the population, the boundary beyond
which no members are located..
The boundary may be set by Edaphic
Conditions
physical factors like climate, soil type,
temperature, salinity, etc.
geography (a coast, a river, a mountain chain)
biological factors (competitors, presence of
disease, predators, etc.)

ANY QUESTION?