Maarg Manthan · Topic 1.2

Types and Scope of Ecology

Environment & Ecology › Basic Concepts of Ecology · Topic 1.2

Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between living organisms and their physical and biological environment. The word was coined by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel in 1866 from the Greek words oikos, meaning house, and logos, meaning study. The term ecosystem was introduced by the British ecologist A G Tansley in 1935. Ecology is divided into autecology, the study of a single species and its environment, and synecology, the study of communities and ecosystems. It is also grouped by habitat into terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecology, by taxon into plant and animal ecology, and by approach into evolutionary, population, community and ecosystem ecology, with applied branches such as conservation, restoration and human ecology. Eugene Odum is called the father of ecosystem ecology, and Ramdeo Misra the father of ecology in India.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · Basic Concepts of Ecology

At a Glance

Term coined Haeckel, 1866
Ecosystem term Tansley, 1935
Single species Autecology
Communities Synecology
Indian pioneer Ramdeo Misra
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: Basic Concepts of Ecology

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the account of the origin of life. It defines ecology and sets out its branches, which gives a frame for all the other topics of the course. Previous topic: Origin of Life Forms and Life on Earth. Next topic: Ecological Hierarchy.

What Are the Main Branches of Ecology?

Basis	Branches
By complexity	Autecology studies one species, its life history, behaviour and adaptation. Synecology studies groups of species, communities and ecosystems
By habitat	Terrestrial ecology, freshwater ecology, marine ecology, estuarine ecology and wetland ecology
By taxon	Plant ecology, animal ecology, microbial ecology and insect ecology
By level	Population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, landscape ecology and global ecology
By approach	Evolutionary ecology, behavioural ecology, physiological ecology and palaeoecology (past ecosystems)
Applied	Conservation ecology, restoration ecology, agricultural ecology, urban ecology and human ecology
Systems	Systems ecology uses models to study energy and matter flow

Who Are the Key Persons and What Is the Scope?

Ernst Haeckel: German biologist who coined the term ecology in 1866 (in German as Oekologie)
A G Tansley: coined the word ecosystem in 1935
Charles Elton: worked on food chains, niche and animal ecology
Eugene Odum: American ecologist, author of Fundamentals of Ecology, called the father of modern ecology
Raymond Lindeman: trophic dynamic concept of energy flow, 1942
Ramdeo Misra: father of ecology in India, who founded the Indian ecology school at Banaras Hindu University
Scope: ecology helps in resource management, conservation of biodiversity, pollution control, agriculture, public health and planning
Relation with other sciences: links biology with geography, chemistry, geology, economics and sociology

What Else Should You Remember?

Environment: all external conditions around an organism
Abiotic and biotic factors: non-living and living parts of the environment
Ecological factors: climate, soil, topography, biotic and fire factors
Liebig’s law: growth is limited by the scarcest resource
Shelford’s law of tolerance: each species has a range of tolerance for every factor
Landscape ecology: study of patterns across large areas, including patches and corridors
Palaeoecology: reconstructs past ecosystems from fossils and pollen
Ethnoecology: how local people understand and use their ecology
Restoration ecology: repairing damaged ecosystems
Urban ecology: ecology of cities
Industrial ecology: studies material and energy flow of industry to cut waste
Ecological economics: values nature in economic terms
Environmental science: broader study including pollution, resources and policy
Earth Day: 22 April; World Environment Day is 5 June
Man and Biosphere Programme: a UNESCO programme begun in 1971
Chipko and Silent Spring: social movements and books that raised awareness
Link: see Distinction Between Ecology, Environment and Ecosystem
Population ecology: studies size, density and growth of populations
Community ecology: studies species interactions and patterns such as succession
Behavioural ecology: studies how behaviour helps survival
Autecology example: study of the tiger, its prey needs and territory is autecology
Synecology example: study of a whole forest community is synecology
Ecosystem approach: treats biotic and abiotic parts as one system with energy flow
Importance for UPSC: questions often ask who coined which term and which branch deals with what
Environment Protection Act link: laws on environment use ecological ideas, as in the topic on acts and policies
Ecological monitoring: long term research sites track changes in species and ecosystems
Citizen science: public groups help collect data on birds and plants
Ecology and economy: ecosystem services are valued in money in studies like TEEB
Terminology tips: remember three pairs: Haeckel with ecology, Tansley with ecosystem and Odum with ecosystem ecology
Field methods: quadrats, transects, mark and recapture, remote sensing and DNA tools are common field methods
Laboratory methods: controlled experiments in chambers and microcosms test how factors act
Modelling: mathematical models predict population change and nutrient flow
Policy use: environmental impact assessment uses ecological baseline studies

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Founders: Haeckel, Tansley, Odum
Branches: autecology and synecology
Indian: Ramdeo Misra
Current affairs link: World Environment Day and restoration decade
Common errors: crediting Tansley for the word ecology or Haeckel for ecosystem

As an analytical point, ecology moves from single organisms to the whole biosphere and gives the scientific base for environmental policy. Knowing its branches helps one to place any topic in the larger map.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Terms Who coined what
Branches Auto and syn
Scope Applied fields

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the ecological hierarchy. Next topic: Ecological Hierarchy.

Key People and Terms

Ecology Study of organism-environment relations
Autecology Ecology of one species
Synecology Ecology of groups
Ecosystem Community plus environment
Palaeoecology Ecology of past
Biosphere Zone of life

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Ecology coined 1866 by Haeckel.
Ecosystem coined 1935 by Tansley.
Autecology = one species; synecology = groups.
Odum: ecosystem ecology.
Misra: India.

Do Not Confuse With

Autecology and synecology One species versus communities
Ecology and environmental science Natural science versus broader study with policy
Haeckel and Tansley Ecology versus ecosystem

Memory Hook

Haeckel housed ecology, Tansley systemised it, Odum energised it, Misra brought it home.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for founders and branches. These points help.

Meaning Definition
Branches Types
Use Policy

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Define ecology and discuss its branches and its relevance for environmental management.”

How to Answer

Definition Haeckel.
Branches Auto, syn.
Persons Odum, Misra.
Use Management.

GS Relevance

Prelims: definitions, founders, branches. GS Paper 3: environment and ecology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who coined the term ecology?

The German biologist Ernst Haeckel coined the term ecology in 1866, from the Greek words oikos, meaning house or place to live, and logos, meaning study. He defined it as the study of the relations of an organism to its environment, both living and non-living.

What is the difference between autecology and synecology?

Autecology is the study of the ecology of a single species, including its life history, behaviour and adaptation to its environment. Synecology is the study of groups of species living together, that is communities and ecosystems, and how they interact with one another and their surroundings.

Who coined the term ecosystem?

The term ecosystem was coined by the British ecologist Arthur George Tansley in 1935. He used it for the whole system, including both the organisms and the physical factors of their environment, which form a single unit with exchange of energy and matter.

Who is called the father of ecology in India?

Ramdeo Misra, a plant ecologist of Banaras Hindu University, is regarded as the father of ecology in India. He trained many ecologists, studied tropical grasslands and forests, and helped to set up the first ecology department and the Indian school of ecological research.

What are the applied branches of ecology?

Applied branches include conservation ecology, restoration ecology, agricultural ecology, urban ecology, industrial ecology and human ecology. They use ecological knowledge to manage wildlife, repair damaged habitats, produce food sustainably, plan cities and reduce the environmental impact of industry.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The term ecology was coined by Ernst Haeckel.

True

In 1866.

2 The term ecosystem was proposed by Haeckel.

False

It was proposed by Tansley.

3 Synecology studies a single species.