Ecology

In ecology, a population is defined as a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time and capable of interbreeding. To understand how a population changes, thrives, or declines, ecologists study its attributes—the measurable characteristics that describe its state and dynamics. Among the most critical of these […]

1. What is an Ecosystem? An ecosystem is the fundamental unit of ecology and the cornerstone of life on Earth. It can be defined as a community of living organisms (biotic components) in conjunction with the non-living (abiotic) components of their environment, interacting as a system. These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through

Ecosystems are not static collections of organisms; they are dynamic systems powered by two fundamental, interconnected processes: Productivity and Decomposition. These processes form the basis of the energy flow and nutrient cycling that sustain all life on Earth. Productivity captures and builds energy and matter into living tissue, while decomposition breaks it down, releasing nutrients

Energy is the currency of life. Every activity in an ecosystem—from a bird’s flight to a flower’s bloom—requires energy. However, unlike nutrients, which are recycled, energy flows through an ecosystem in a one-way path. Understanding this flow is fundamental to understanding how ecosystems are structured, function, and sustain life. 1. The Fundamental Principles of Energy

In nature, no population exists in isolation. The survival, reproduction, and distribution of every species are profoundly influenced by its interactions with other species in the community. These population interactions (or species interactions) are fundamental ecological processes that shape ecosystems, drive evolutionary change, and determine the structure of biological communities. These interactions are classified based