Ecological Concepts

 Ecological concepts are general understandings (or facts) about ecosystems and ecosystem
management.
The fundamental concept of ecology is that living organisms interact with other organisms and with the
physical environment.

Basic ecological concepts

 Studying the distribution of living organisms

 Finding out how living organisms depend on themselves and their non-living environment for
survival.
 Measuring factors affecting the environment.
Concepts of ecology
Concepts of ecology are general understandings about ecosystems and ecosystem management.

 Ecosystem concepts provide a foundation for developing ecological principles.

 Ecosystem management concepts are basic tools that can be applied to support some of the
applications relating to planning.

An example of an ecological concept is predator-prey systems, water purification, and nutrient cycling.
Each of these attributes is multi-scalar and incorporates both spatial and temporal dynamics. As a result,
these attributes may also be examined at different scales, including regions, landscapes, and ecosystems.

Abiotic and biotic factors depend on each other and interact constantly within ecosystems. It’s within
ecosystems that you can observe the food chain, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, and other similar
concepts.

Ecological principle
Ecological principles are basic assumptions about ecosystems and how they function that are informed by
ecological concepts.
The principles that govern living systems are no less true or inviolable than those that govern non-living
systems; although they are less well known and appreciated. The laws of nature that guide the functioning
of natural ecosystems are commonly known as the principles of ecology.

Ecological principles describe various aspects of living organisms. Examples are evolution and
distribution of plants and animals, extinction of species, and consumption and transfer of energy in
different components of biological communities.

General Principles of Ecology

The six general principles of ecology are:

 Speciation
 Diversity
 Habitat
 Adaptation
 Interdependence
 Evolution
Biomes, communities, and ecosystems. How do we define systems? Similar climate, topography, and
geology interact to generate similar vegetation and fauna in different parts of the Arctic. Within these
major biomes, distinct plant communities form the basis of dynamic ecosystems.

Ecological Principles

 Time
 Species
 Place
 Disturbance
 Landscape

Guidelines

 Think regionally plan for the long term and unexpected preserve rare features Conserve
resources.
 Retain large, connected areas.
 Minimize introduced species Compensate for effects of development.
 Work with the ecological potential