Approaches to Ecology

Approaches to Ecology
Autecology (Population Approach)
It is the ecological study related to a single species (population). For example if you study effects of pollution on a single mango tree or all the mango trees in an area, it will be autecology.
Synecology (Community Approach)
It is the ecological study related to different species (community). In synecology you have to consider together the individual and the community. The type of ecological study has development the concept of succession and climax that is the progressive replacement of one community by more stable community in a particular area.
Ecosystem Approach
This approach takes into consideration the whole ecosystem as a unit. Ecosystem approach studies the biotic and the abiotic components their interaction, the flow of energy and the cycling of materials between the living and the non living and the non living components. This approach may take into consideration a small ecosystem such as a pond or a large ecosystem such as a desert.
Habitat Approach
Habitat is a particular place or area with a specific set of physical conditions in which a community of living organisms live. These organisms possess special adaptations which help them to survive in that habitat. The flora and launa of different habitat are different because of different physical conditions. Since defining habitat is relatively easy, some scientists use this approach for ecological studies. Some ecologists divide the ecology on the basis of type of habitat in which the organisms live. Habitat is divided in two main types; aquatic and terrestrial. Aquatic habitat is of three types; fresh water habitat, marine habitat and estuarine habitat. Estuaries are places where rivers and streams meet the sea. Terrestrial ecology can be divided into forests, desert, grass land habitat.
Evolutionary Approach
The distribution of organisms is result of long term evolutionary changes and their interaction with environment. Evolutionary approach tells us about changes since life originated. This knowledge comes from study of fossil record. Various evolutionary theories are also part of this approach.
Historical Approach
It deals with study of various stages and periods of time through which humans have passed during their evolution. One aspect of this approach is to study the development of tools in human history. The first period is called stone age or Neolithic period (1500 to 3000 B.C), during which humans used tools made up of stones.