Ecology
Prerequisites Unit Value 1.0
Nil
Specific Unit Goals
This unit should enable students to:
define ecology and state how it incorporates other scientific disciplines;
explain the concept of cycling of matter;
use appropriate field techniques for the collation of information for particular
ecosystems;
analyse and discuss interactions between members of an ecosystem.
Content
Interaction and interdependence
Definition of the scope of ecology
Food chains and food webs
Biotic and abiotic components of natural systems
Concepts of habitat and community; naming communities
The ecosystem
Definition
Levels of organisation - (molecular to biosphere)
Role of producers, consumers, decomposers
Concept of ecological niche and dominant species
Ecosystem boundaries
Relationship between ecosystem structure and species diversity
Relationship between species diversity and ecosystem stability.
Ecological energetics
Concept of energy flow through living systems
Trophic relationships
Ecological productivity.
Biogeochemical cycles
Cycling of nutrients through living systems
Examples: C, N, O, water, P, S cycles.
Ecosystems
Local ecosystems: eg Urambi Hills and Mt. Taylor
Arid, alpine, rainforest, heath, wet and dry sclerophyll forests;
Forest logging issues, eg. NSW S.E. Forest scenario
Traditional Aboriginal interactions with the environment.
Change in natural systems
Concept of dynamic equilibrium in living systems
Different time scales of change (examples: diurnal, seasonal, annual)
Ecological succession and climax communities.
Techniques for studying ecosystems
Techniques for small, medium and large scale environmental studies.
Population dynamics
Population growth and distribution, and natural and artificial limiting factors
Intrinsic rate of natural increase
Interactions between individuals
Factors affecting distribution and abundance.