Life is a dynamic process and the evidence is all around us, from the insects and lizards inside our homes to the earthworms and birds in our garden.Ecology is the study of relationship between different organisms including humans and their physical environment. The study of ecology provides vital connections between different organisms which can help us in understanding the services rendered by the ecosystem and also helps us in gaining information to better understand the world around us. Ecosystem consists of a community of living organisms along with their physical environment.They are defined by the network of interactions between organisms as well as the organisms and their environment.
The concept of an ecosystem will impress upon the students the concept of interconnectedness and Interdependence. Every component of the ecosystem has a definite role to play and destruction of any one component can lead to changes in the delicate balance of the ecosystem. This may also lead to collapse of the ecosystem and loss of a large variety of life forms. Each component of an ecosystem is dependent on a multitude of biotic and abiotic factors for their survival. This Interdependence of different organisms on each other and the resulting processes sustains the ecosystem and consequently life in the planet.
To understand this variety of organisms in their surroundings, students must be encouraged to observe nature. By conducting observations and simple experiments they can learn a lot about the life processes which is happening around them thus sustaining them and their community.
Ecology and Ecosystems
Life is a dynamic process and the evidence is all around us, from the insects and lizards inside our homes to the earthworms and birds in our garden.Ecology is the study of relationship between different organisms including humans and their physical environment. The study of ecology provides vital connections between different organisms which can help us in understanding the services rendered by the ecosystem and also helps us in gaining information to better understand the world around us. Ecosystem consists of a community of living organisms along with their physical environment.They are defined by the network of interactions between organisms as well as the organisms and their environment.
The concept of an ecosystem will impress upon the students the concept of interconnectedness and Interdependence. Every component of the ecosystem has a definite role to play and destruction of any one component can lead to changes in the delicate balance of the ecosystem. This may also lead to collapse of the ecosystem and loss of a large variety of life forms. Each component of an ecosystem is dependent on a multitude of biotic and abiotic factors for their survival. This Interdependence of different organisms on each other and the resulting processes sustains the ecosystem and consequently life in the planet.
To understand this variety of organisms in their surroundings, students must be encouraged to observe nature. By conducting observations and simple experiments they can learn a lot about the life processes which is happening around them thus sustaining them and their community.
Informative Weblinks -
1. https://www.esa.org/esa/education-and-diversity/what-does-ecology-have-to-do-with-me/
2. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/i-spy-ecosystem
3. http://forest.mtu.edu/kidscorner/ecosystems/definition.html
4. http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/current/lectures/kling/ecosystem/ecosystem.html
4. https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_bio_lesson01