Course: REM 8 Principles of Ecology

Objective: Introduce and improve the knowledge of students in the field of Ecology, help
them understand the relationship and purpose of learning this course in the field of Real
Estate to make them aware on the role of Real Estate Service Practitioner in the community
and the environment.
Module: 2
Week: 5

PART II UNDERSTANDING CYCLES

A. Understanding Cycles in Nature

Cycles in Nature - Time
• Cycles in nature often occur in a regular rhythm, or time pattern.

What is Rhythm?
• A rhythm is any pattern that occurs over and over again.
• Many biological rhythms are often in harmony with natural cycles.
- Daily rhythms
- Lunar rhythms
- Annual rhythms

- Daily Rhythms
• Diurnal organisms are those that are active during the day.
• Nocturnal organisms are those that are active during the night.

- Lunar Rhythms
• Lunar rhythms are rhythms that are controlled by the moon, such as the rise and fall of the
tide.

- Annual Rhythms
• Many natural rhythms are closely associated with the seasons of the year.
• Annual rhythms are events that occur once a year.
- There are many examples of annual rhythms such as migration, hibernation and
estivation.

Migration
• Migrations are annual rhythms in which organisms travel from the place where they
breed to the place where they feed.

Why Migrate?
- Organisms migrate to find more beneficial environments as seasonal changes make their
old environment less habitable.
-Examples: Geese, turtles, whales, salmon

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Hibernation
• Some organisms avoid unfavorable seasonal changes by "sleeping" through the bad
periods of the year.
• During this "sleep" the body functions of the animal slows down.
• This enables animals to wait out the bad periods of the year in a sheltered Hiding place.

What is Hibernation?
• Hibernation is the winter resting, "sleeping", state for organisms avoiding the cold, harsh
winter months.
- Examples: bears, toads.

Estivation
What is Estivation?
Estivation is the summer resting, "sleeping" state for organisms avoiding the hot, dry, harsh
summer months. - Example: African lungfish buries itself in the mud at the bottom of the lake
before it dries out. These fish can survive for years in their shell of dried mud.

What are Biological Clocks?

• Biological clocks are internal timers that may be responsible for keeping track of many
different cycles of time.

Why Have Biological Clocks?

• Biological clocks help organisms survive.
• Biological clocks help living things stay in step with rhythmic cycles of change in their
environment.
- When the time is right, biological clocks tell organisms to change their appearance,
behavior, or body functions in some way.

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References:

Patnugot, Nestor V. (2012). Principles of Ecology. Legal and Environmental Education

Division, Environmental Management Bureau XI. Comprehensive Real Estate Seminar.
PAREB-DBRFI. Davao City, Philippines

Medina, Charito P. et.al (199). Ecosystem Structure and Dynamics. University of the
Philippines Open University, Los Banos, Laguna Philippines

Prepared by:

JADE ANTHONY A. CANDARI,REC,REA,REB

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