Unit 1 Ecology and Ecosystem
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History of Science (HIST SCI) 1
History of Science (HIST SCI) 1 HIST SCI 133 — BIOLOGY AND SOCIETY, 1950 - TODAY HISTORY OF SCIENCE (HIST 3 credits. From medical advancements to environmental crises and global food SCI) shortages, the life sciences are implicated in some of the most pressing social issues of our time. This course explores events in the history of biology from the mid-twentieth century to today, and examines how HIST SCI/ENVIR ST/HISTORY 125 — GREEN SCREEN: ENVIRONMENTAL developments in this science have shaped and are shaped by society. In PERSPECTIVES THROUGH FILM the first unit, we investigate the origins of the institutions, technologies, 3 credits. and styles of practice that characterize contemporary biology, such From Teddy Roosevelt's 1909 African safari to the Hollywood blockbuster as the use of mice as "model organisms" for understanding human King Kong, from the world of Walt Disney to The March of the Penguins, diseases. The second unit examines biological controversies such as the cinema has been a powerful force in shaping public and scientific introduction of genetically modified plants into the food supply. The final understanding of nature throughout the twentieth and twenty-first unit asks how biological facts and theories have been and continue to be century. How can film shed light on changing environmental ideas and used as a source for understanding ourselves. Enroll Info: None beliefs in American thought, politics, and culture? And how can we come Requisites: None to see and appreciate contested issues of race, class, and gender in Course Designation: Breadth - Either Humanities or Social Science nature on screen? This course will explore such questions as we come Level - Elementary to understand the role of film in helping to define the contours of past, L&S Credit - Counts as Liberal Arts and Science credit in L&S present, and future environmental visions in the United States, and their Repeatable for Credit: No impact on the real world struggles of people and wildlife throughout the Last Taught: Spring 2021 world. -
Introduction to Plant Ecology
Unit 1 Introduction to Plant Ecology Unit 1 INTRODUCTION TO PLANT ECOLOGYECOLOGYECOLOGY StructureStructureStructure 1.1 Introduction 1.6 Basic terms of Ecology Expected Learning Outcomes Environment 1.2 What is Ecology? Biosphere 1.3 History of Ecology Ecosystem 1.4 Subdivisions of Ecology Population 1.5 Relationship of Ecology Community with other Disciplines of 1.7 Summary Biology 1.8 Terminal Question 1.9 Answers 1.1 INTRODUCTION Organisms do not live in isolation. All organisms are linked to their surroundings. The survival of an organism thus depends upon its surroundings. These surroundings of an organism constitute its (are called as - delete) environment. Any change in the surroundings/environment affects the growth and survival of living organisms to a significant extent. Nutrients and energy get distributed among various living components present in a particular environment. Ecology is the study of the relationship of organisms i.e. plants, animals, microorganisms with their surroundings (environment). Ecological studies deal with the relationships of organisms with their environment. The present unit provides information about basic concepts in ecology. Expected Learning Outcomes After the study of this Unit, you should be able to define various terms used in ecology (environment, population, community, ecosystem and ecosphere), 7 Block 1 Ecology and Ecological Factors describe subdivisions of ecology, outline differences between natural and man-made environment, describe components of the ecosystem, enlist characteristics of the community, enumerate knowledge about recent developments in the field of ecology, and discuss the interrelationships between ecology and other disciplines of biology. 1.2 WHAT IS ECOLOGY? Hanns Reiter (1868) gave the concept of ecology. -
Energy Economics in Ecosystems By: J
Energy Economics in Ecosystems By: J. Michael Beman (School of Natural Sciences, University of California at Merced) © 2010 Nature Education Citation: Beman, J. (2010) Energy Economics in Ecosystems. Nature Education Knowledge 3(10):13 What powers life? In most ecosystems, sunlight is absorbed and converted into usable forms of energy via photosynthesis. These usable forms of energy are carbonbased. The laws of physics describe the interactions between energy and mass: the energy in a closed system is conserved, and matter can neither be created nor destroyed. Modern physics has shown that reality is more 2 complex at very large and very small scales (e.g., Einstein’s famous equation, E = mc demonstrated that mass can be converted to energy in the sun or nuclear reactors), but in the context of Earth’s ecosystems, energy is conserved and matter can neither be created nor destroyed. This seemingly simplistic statement has profound consequences when we study how ecosystems function. In particular, the energy present within an ecosystem is collected and shared by organisms in many different ways; this "sharing" takes place through ecological interactions, such as predatorprey dynamics and symbioses. When we move to the ecosystem level, however, we consider interactions among organisms, populations, communities, and their physical and chemical environment. These interactions have an important bearing on the structure of organisms, ecosystems, and, over geologic time, the planet itself. A primary example of this involves the energy currency in ecosystems, which is carbon. The amount and form of carbon present in different ecosystem pools — such as plants, animals, air, soil, and water — is controlled by organisms, and ultimately affects their ecological success. -
Dr. James E. Strick
Curriculum Vitae for: Dr. James E. Strick Chair, Program in Science, Technology and Society Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17604-3003 301-512-0976 E-Mail: [email protected] Education Doctor of Philosophy, History, Princeton University, 1997 Dissertation Topic: “The British Spontaneous Generation Debates of 1860-1880: Medicine, Evolution and Laboratory Science in the Victorian Context” Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Gerald L. Geison Master of Arts, History, Princeton University, 1993 Master of Science, Microbiology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1983 Bachelor of Science, Biology and Secondary Education, SUNY College at Cortland, 1981 Employment Assistant Professor, Program in Science, Technology and Society, Franklin and Marshall College, 2002-2008; tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, spring 2008; promotion to full Professor, May 2015 Visiting Assistant Professor, History Department, Princeton University, Spring 2002 Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of History of Science, Johns Hopkins University, Fall 2001; Smithsonian Fellow, Fall 2000. Assistant Professor, Program in Biology and Society, Arizona State University, August 1998- Spring 2001 (on research leave, 2000-2001) Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow, Program in Biology and Society, Arizona State University, August 1996 - July 1998 Teaching Assistant, Program in History of Science, Princeton University, Spring 1996 Princeton Friends School, 1990-1994, Middle School General Science Park School of Baltimore, 1987-1990, Sciences, Biomedical -
Meta-Ecosystems: a Theoretical Framework for a Spatial Ecosystem Ecology
Ecology Letters, (2003) 6: 673–679 doi: 10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00483.x IDEAS AND PERSPECTIVES Meta-ecosystems: a theoretical framework for a spatial ecosystem ecology Abstract Michel Loreau1*, Nicolas This contribution proposes the meta-ecosystem concept as a natural extension of the Mouquet2,4 and Robert D. Holt3 metapopulation and metacommunity concepts. A meta-ecosystem is defined as a set of 1Laboratoire d’Ecologie, UMR ecosystems connected by spatial flows of energy, materials and organisms across 7625, Ecole Normale Supe´rieure, ecosystem boundaries. This concept provides a powerful theoretical tool to understand 46 rue d’Ulm, F–75230 Paris the emergent properties that arise from spatial coupling of local ecosystems, such as Cedex 05, France global source–sink constraints, diversity–productivity patterns, stabilization of ecosystem 2Department of Biological processes and indirect interactions at landscape or regional scales. The meta-ecosystem Science and School of perspective thereby has the potential to integrate the perspectives of community and Computational Science and Information Technology, Florida landscape ecology, to provide novel fundamental insights into the dynamics and State University, Tallahassee, FL functioning of ecosystems from local to global scales, and to increase our ability to 32306-1100, USA predict the consequences of land-use changes on biodiversity and the provision of 3Department of Zoology, ecosystem services to human societies. University of Florida, 111 Bartram Hall, Gainesville, FL Keywords 32611-8525, -
Can More K-Selected Species Be Better Invaders?
Diversity and Distributions, (Diversity Distrib.) (2007) 13, 535–543 Blackwell Publishing Ltd BIODIVERSITY Can more K-selected species be better RESEARCH invaders? A case study of fruit flies in La Réunion Pierre-François Duyck1*, Patrice David2 and Serge Quilici1 1UMR 53 Ӷ Peuplements Végétaux et ABSTRACT Bio-agresseurs en Milieu Tropical ӷ CIRAD Invasive species are often said to be r-selected. However, invaders must sometimes Pôle de Protection des Plantes (3P), 7 chemin de l’IRAT, 97410 St Pierre, La Réunion, France, compete with related resident species. In this case invaders should present combina- 2UMR 5175, CNRS Centre d’Ecologie tions of life-history traits that give them higher competitive ability than residents, Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), 1919 route de even at the expense of lower colonization ability. We test this prediction by compar- Mende, 34293 Montpellier Cedex, France ing life-history traits among four fruit fly species, one endemic and three successive invaders, in La Réunion Island. Recent invaders tend to produce fewer, but larger, juveniles, delay the onset but increase the duration of reproduction, survive longer, and senesce more slowly than earlier ones. These traits are associated with higher ranks in a competitive hierarchy established in a previous study. However, the endemic species, now nearly extinct in the island, is inferior to the other three with respect to both competition and colonization traits, violating the trade-off assumption. Our results overall suggest that the key traits for invasion in this system were those that *Correspondence: Pierre-François Duyck, favoured competition rather than colonization. CIRAD 3P, 7, chemin de l’IRAT, 97410, Keywords St Pierre, La Réunion Island, France. -
Biogeography: an Ecosystems Approach (Geography 338)
WELCOME TO GEOGRAPHY/BOTANY 338: ENVIRONMENTAL BIOGEOGRAPHY Fall 2018 Schedule: Monday & Wednesday 2:30-3:45 pm, Humanities 1641 Credits: 3 Instructor: Professor Ken Keefover-Ring Email: [email protected] Office: Science Hall 115C Office Hours: Tuesday 3:00-4:00 pm & Wednesday 12:00-1:00 pm or by appointment Note: This course fulfills the Biological Science breadth requirement. COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course takes an ecosystems approach to understand how physical -- climate, geologic history, soils -- and biological -- physiology, evolution, extinction, dispersal, competition, predation -- factors interact to affect the past, present and future distribution of terrestrial biomes and all levels of biodiversity: ecosystems, species and genes. A particular focus will be placed on the role of disturbance and to recent human-driven climatic and land-cover changes and biological invasions on differences in historical and current distributions of global biodiversity. COURSE GOALS: • To learn patterns and mechanisms of local to global gene, species, ecosystem and biome distributions • To learn how past, current and future environmental change affect biogeography • To learn how humans affect geographic patterns of biodiversity • To learn how to apply concepts from biogeography to current environmental problems • To learn how to read and interpret the primary literature, that is, scientific articles in peer- reviewed journals. COURSE POLICY: I expect you to attend all lectures and come prepared to participate in discussion. I will take attendance. Please let me know if you need to miss three or more lectures. Please respect your fellow students, professor, and guest speakers and turn off the ringers on your cell phones and refrain from texting during class time. -
To What Degree Are Philosophy and the Ecological Niche Concept Necessary in the Ecological Theory and Conservation?
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY EJE 2017, 3(1): 42-54, doi: 10.1515/eje-2017-0005 To what degree are philosophy and the ecological niche concept necessary in the ecological theory and conservation? Universidade Federal Rogério Parentoni Martins* do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Departamento ABSTRACT de Biologia, Centro de Ecology as a field produces philosophical anxiety, largely because it differs in scientific structure from classical Ciências, Brazil physics. The hypothetical deductive models of classical physics are simple and predictive; general ecological *Corresponding author, models are predictably limited, as they refer to complex, multi-causal processes. Inattention to the conceptual E-mail: rpmartins917@ structure of ecology usually imposes difficulties for the application of ecological models. Imprecise descrip- gmail.com tions of ecological niche have obstructed the development of collective definitions, causing confusion in the literature and complicating communication between theoretical ecologists, conservationists and decision and policy-makers. Intense, unprecedented erosion of biodiversity is typical of the Anthropocene, and knowledge of ecology may provide solutions to lessen the intensification of species losses. Concerned philosophers and ecolo- gists have characterised ecological niche theory as less useful in practice; however, some theorists maintain that is has relevant applications for conservation. Species niche modelling, for instance, has gained traction in the literature; however, there are few examples of its successful application. Philosophical analysis of the structure, precision and constraints upon the definition of a ‘niche’ may minimise the anxiety surrounding ecology, poten- tially facilitating communication between policy-makers and scientists within the various ecological subcultures. The results may enhance the success of conservation applications at both small and large scales. -
Plant Species Traits Are the Predominant Control on Litter Decomposition Rates Within Biomes Worldwide
Ecology Letters, (2008) 11: 1065–1071 doi: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01219.x LETTER Plant species traits are the predominant control on litter decomposition rates within biomes worldwide Abstract William K. Cornwell,1* Johannes Worldwide decomposition rates depend both on climate and the legacy of plant functional H. C. Cornelissen,1 Kathryn traits as litter quality. To quantify the degree to which functional differentiation among Amatangelo,2 Ellen Dorrepaal,1 species affects their litter decomposition rates, we brought together leaf trait and litter mass 3 4 Valerie T. Eviner, Oscar Godoy, loss data for 818 species from 66 decomposition experiments on six continents. We show Sarah E. Hobbie,5 Bart Hoorens,1 6,7 that: (i) the magnitude of species-driven differences is much larger than previously thought Hiroko Kurokawa, Natalia and greater than climate-driven variation; (ii) the decomposability of a speciesÕ litter is Pe´ rez-Harguindeguy,8 Helen M. consistently correlated with that speciesÕ ecological strategy within different ecosystems Quested,9 Louis S. Santiago,10 David A. Wardle,11,12 Ian J. globally, representing a new connection between whole plant carbon strategy and Wright,13 Rien Aerts,1 Steven D. biogeochemical cycling. This connection between plant strategies and decomposability is Allison,14 Peter van Bodegom,1 crucial for both understanding vegetation–soil feedbacks, and for improving forecasts of Victor Brovkin,15 Alex Chatain,16 the global carbon cycle. Terry V. Callaghan,17,18 Sandra Dı´az,7 Eric Garnier,19 Diego E. Keywords Gurvich,8 Elena Kazakou,19 Julia Carbon cycling, decomposition, leaf economic spectrum, leaf traits, meta-analysis. -
A General Model of Litter Decomposition in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert
Ecological Modelling, 56 (1991) 197-219 197 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam A general model of litter decomposition in the northern Chihuahuan Desert Daryl L. Moorhead Ecology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-3131, USA James F. Reynolds Systems Ecology Research Group, College of Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-0401, USA (Accepted 13 November 1990) ABSTRACT Moorhead, D.L. and Reynolds, J.F., 1991. A general model of litter decomposition in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. Ecol. Modelling, 56: 197-219. Numerous empirical studies have described the pathways of mass, C and N flows during decomposition, but there remains a paucity of data on underlying mechanisms in arid ecosystems. In the northern Chihuahuan Desert, termites remove large quantities of litter and act as carbon and nitrogen sinks, contributing to low soil fertility. In their absence, decomposition at the soil surface is primarily driven by abiotic weathering, but studies suggest buried litter decay occurs through microbiological activities. We develop a general, synthetic model to examine the interactions between buried litter, decomposer microorgan- isms, and C and N pools in this ecosystem. Our goal is to explore the mechanisms underlying observed patterns of decomposition in arid systems using a modeling approach that balances simplicity with enough detail to suggest the reasons for system behavior. To this end, we utilize elements of existing models, interfacing microbial physiology and population dynamics with empirical observations of C and N pool dynamics, litter mass loss and changing C:N ratios. Good agreement was achieved between simulated and observed patterns of mass loss and nitrogen concentrations once a time lag describing the microbial colonization of litter was included. -
COULD R SELECTION ACCOUNT for the AFRICAN PERSONALITY and LIFE CYCLE?
Person. individ.Diff. Vol. 15, No. 6, pp. 665-675, 1993 0191-8869/93 S6.OOf0.00 Printedin Great Britain.All rightsreserved Copyright0 1993Pergamon Press Ltd COULD r SELECTION ACCOUNT FOR THE AFRICAN PERSONALITY AND LIFE CYCLE? EDWARD M. MILLER Department of Economics and Finance, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, U.S.A. (Received I7 November 1992; received for publication 27 April 1993) Summary-Rushton has shown that Negroids exhibit many characteristics that biologists argue result from r selection. However, the area of their origin, the African Savanna, while a highly variable environment, would not select for r characteristics. Savanna humans have not adopted the dispersal and colonization strategy to which r characteristics are suited. While r characteristics may be selected for when adult mortality is highly variable, biologists argue that where juvenile mortality is variable, K character- istics are selected for. Human variable birth rates are mathematically similar to variable juvenile birth rates. Food shortage caused by African drought induce competition, just as food shortages caused by high population. Both should select for K characteristics, which by definition contribute to success at competition. Occasional long term droughts are likely to select for long lives, late menopause, high paternal investment, high anxiety, and intelligence. These appear to be the opposite to Rushton’s r characteristics, and opposite to the traits he attributes to Negroids. Rushton (1985, 1987, 1988) has argued that Negroids (i.e. Negroes) were r selected. This idea has produced considerable scientific (Flynn, 1989; Leslie, 1990; Lynn, 1989; Roberts & Gabor, 1990; Silverman, 1990) and popular controversy (Gross, 1990; Pearson, 1991, Chapter 5), which Rushton (1989a, 1990, 1991) has responded to. -
The Science of the Struggle for Existence on the Foundations of Ecology
P1: FpQ CY239/Cooper-FM 0 52180432 9 July 29, 2003 15:6 The Science of the Struggle for Existence On the Foundations of Ecology GREGORY J. COOPER Washington and Lee University v P1: FpQ CY239/Cooper-FM 0 52180432 9 July 29, 2003 15:6 published by the press syndicate of the university of cambridge The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom cambridge university press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 2RU, UK 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211, USA 477 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia Ruiz de Alarcon´ 13, 28014 Madrid, Spain Dock House, The Waterfront, Cape Town 8001, South Africa http://www.cambridge.org c Gregory J. Cooper 2003 This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 2003 Printed in the United Kingdom at the University Press, Cambridge Typeface Times Roman 10.25/13 pt. System LATEX 2 [TB] A catalog record for this book is available from the British Library. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication data Cooper, Gregory John. The science of the struggle for existence : on the foundations of ecology / by Gregory Cooper. p. cm – (Cambridge studies in philosophy and biology) Includes bibliographical references (p. ). ISBN 0-521-80432-9 1. Ecology – Philosophy. I. Title. II. Series. QH540.5.C66 2003 577–dc21 2002041441 ISBN 0 521 80432 9 hardback vi P1: FpQ CY239/Cooper-FM 0 52180432