Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

1. It is also called environmental biology since it deals with the study of life and its surroundings.
2. Due to the dual crises of population explosion and deteriorating environment, the subject of
ecology has become of utmost importance to everyone.
3. It is also called holistic science since it draws heavily not just upon Biology but also on geology,
geography, physics, chemistry, Meteorology, Pedolgy and even statistics.
4. It is synonymous to natural science.
5. Ecology deals with organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems and biosphere.

Level of Organization: Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
The level of organization helps ecologists to understand these interactions at different levels.
1. Organisms are groups consisting of similar individuals capable of interbreeding and exchanging
genes.
2. Population is the level of organization that examines the interactions between individuals of the
same species in a particular area, including their growth, reproduction and their mortality rates.
3. Community is the level of organization that deals with the interaction of all living organisms in a
particular area or ecosystem, including their roles and relationships in food webs, predation and
competition.
4. Ecosystem is the level of organization that deals with both the living organisms and nonliving
elements of a particular area, such as soil, water and air. An ecosystem is characterized by the
flow of energy and nutrients between the living and nonliving components.
5. Landscape is a unit of land with a natural boundary having a mosaic of interacting ecosystems.
6. Biome is the level of organization that describes a large regional ecosystem characterized by
particular climatic and geological conditions. Such as deserts, forests and grasslands.
7. Realms are the region, sphere or domain within which anything occurs, prevails or dominates.
8. Biosphere is the highest level of organization in ecology which encompasses all of the
ecosystems on the earth and their interactions with each other. The biosphere includes all the
living organisms on earth as well as the physical environment in which they live.

Branches and Classification of Ecology:

1. Geographical Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with their environment, and how
these interactions vary across different geographic regions. This field of study focuses on
how physical factors, such as climate, soil type, and topography, influence the distribution and
abundance of different species, as well as how species respond to biotic factors such as
competition, predation, and disease. Geographical ecology can help us better understand the
patterns of biodiversity across different habitats and ecosystems, and can provide insights into
how ecosystems may respond to environmental change.

2. Community Ecology is the study of how different species interact with each other within a
given ecosystem or community. This field of ecology examines the relationships between
species, such as predation, competition, mutualism, and commensalism, and how these
interactions shape the structure and function of the community as a whole. Community ecologists
also study how abiotic factors, such as temperature, moisture, and nutrient availability, affect the
distribution and abundance of different species in a community. By understanding the dynamics of
species interactions and their responses to environmental change, community ecology can help
us better predict and manage the effects of human activities on ecosystems and biodiversity.

3. Population Ecology is the study of how populations of organisms interact with each other and
their environment. This field of ecology focuses on the factors that influence population size,
 density, growth rate, and distribution, such as birth rates, death rates, immigration,
emigration, and environmental factors like availability of resources, predation, disease,
and climate. Population ecologists use mathematical models and statistical analyses to
understand and predict population dynamics, and to identify the factors that affect population
persistence or decline.

4. Evolutionary ecology, on the other hand, is the study of how evolutionary processes and
principles shape the ecology and behavior of organisms. This field of ecology examines how
natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow interact with ecological factors like
competition, predation, and resource availability to shape the traits and behaviors of
organisms. Evolutionary ecologists seek to understand how adaptation, speciation, and
extinction occur in response to environmental change, and how these processes influence the
structure and dynamics of ecological communities.

5. Experimental ecology is the study of ecological systems using controlled experiments,

usually in laboratory or field settings. Experimental ecologists manipulate different
environmental factors or species interactions to test hypotheses about how ecological
systems work. This approach allows scientists to isolate and measure the effects of specific
factors on different ecological processes, such as population growth, competition, predation, and
nutrient cycling. Experimental ecology is important for developing and testing ecological theory
and for providing insights into the mechanisms underlying ecological phenomena.

6. Dynamic ecology, on the other hand, is the study of ecological systems using mathematical
models that describe how ecological processes change over time. Dynamic ecologists use
mathematical tools like differential equations, matrix models, and agent-based models to simulate
ecological systems and predict how they will respond to different environmental scenarios.
Dynamic ecology is important for understanding the long-term dynamics of ecological systems,
predicting the effects of environmental change, and developing strategies for managing natural
resources. This field of ecology also helps identify knowledge gaps and areas where additional
empirical research is needed.

7. Mathematical Ecology is a field of study that applies mathematical models and methods to
understand the dynamics and interactions of populations and communities of living
organisms in ecosystems. It seeks to provide a quantitative understanding of the complex
relationships and processes involved in ecological systems, including the effects of environmental
factors such as climate, nutrients, and predation.

8. Ecosystem ecology is a field of study that focuses on the interactions between living organisms
and their physical environment in a particular ecosystem. It involves studying the flow of energy,
nutrients, and matter through ecosystems, as well as the interactions and relationships between
different organisms within an ecosystem.
Ecosystem ecology aims to understand the structure and function of ecosystems, including how
they respond to changes in environmental conditions and how they provide essential services
such as nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and water filtration. It also seeks to understand the
impact of human activities on ecosystems and how these impacts can be mitigated or prevented.

9. Palaeoecology deals with the organisms and their environment that existed in the distant
geological past.
10. Applied Ecology deals with wildlife management, forest conservation, biological control, animal
husbandry and pollution control.

11. Conservation Biology is a scientific discipline that aims to understand and protect biological
diversity at all levels, from individual species to entire ecosystems. It draws from a wide range of
fields including ecology, genetics, evolution, biogeography, anthropology, and social sciences, to
develop strategies for conserving biodiversity and restoring damaged ecosystems.

12. Predictive ecology is an emerging field of ecology that uses mathematical models and computer
simulations to predict the responses of ecosystems to environmental change. It seeks to
understand how ecological systems will respond to global environmental changes such as climate
change, land use change, and pollution, as well as to natural disturbances like fires, floods, and
droughts.

13. Human dimensions in Ecology Human dimensions in ecology refers to the study of how
humans interact with and affect the natural environment. It recognizes that human activities
and decisions can have profound impacts on ecological systems, and seeks to understand the
social, cultural, economic, and political factors that influence human behavior and
decision-making in relation to the environment.
Human dimensions in ecology is a multidisciplinary field that draws on concepts and methods
from a range of social sciences, including sociology, anthropology, economics, political science,
and psychology. It explores issues such as human attitudes and values towards the environment,
the social and economic drivers of environmental change, and the ways in which environmental
policies and management decisions are made and implemented.

Subdivision of Ecology based on organisms: Ecology is a broad field that encompasses the
study of living organisms and their interactions with each other and with their environment. One
way to classify ecology is based on the organism(s) being studied. Here are some common
subdivisions of ecology based on organism:
1. Plant ecology: This is the study of the interactions between plants and their environment,
including the physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence plant growth and survival.
2. Animal ecology: This is the study of the interactions between animals and their environment,
including the behavioral, physiological, and ecological factors that influence animal distribution,
abundance, and diversity.
3. Bioecology, also known as autecology or species ecology, is a branch of ecology that focuses
on the study of individual species and their interactions with the biotic and abiotic factors of their
environment. It examines how individual organisms adapt and respond to their environment,
including their physical, chemical, and biological surroundings.

Subdivision of Ecology based on organisms : Autecology & Synecology

1. Synecology, also known as community ecology, is a branch of ecology that focuses on
the study of groups of species that interact with each other in a particular environment. It
seeks to understand the patterns of species distribution, abundance, and diversity within
ecological communities, and the factors that influence these patterns.
Synecology examines the complex interactions between species within a community,
including competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism. It also
studies the effects of abiotic factors such as climate, geology, and disturbance on
community structure and dynamics.
 Secondary predators Heterotrophs

Primary predators Heterotrophs

Herbivores Heterotrophs

Plants Autotrophs

Decay Detritivores (in Soil) Heterotrophs

2. Autecology, also known as species ecology or individual ecology, is a branch of ecology

that focuses on the study of individual species and their interactions with their
environment. Autecology seeks to understand the ecological factors that influence the
distribution, abundance, and survival of individual species, including their interactions
with other organisms and with the physical and chemical properties of their environment.
Autecology examines the physiological and behavioral adaptations of individual species
that enable them to survive in their environment, such as feeding strategies, mating
behaviors, and responses to environmental stressors. It also studies the factors that limit
the distribution and abundance of individual species, such as competition, predation,
disease, and climate.
Approaches in autecology :
1. Describing the type of habitat where the organisms of a species live in.
2. Physical factors of the environment (air, temperature, light, water; oxygen, chemicals)
and their interaction with that particular environment and the organism.
3. The influence of various biotic factors (predation, parasitism, competition, exploitation,
etc) which have a bearing on life and the environment.
4. The interaction of organisms with other organisms of different species.
5. Life and seasonal changes of the environment.
6. Pattern of reproduction and dispersal of organisms.