FAQs on Introduction: Ecology Video Lecture - Lucent for GK - UPSC
1. What is ecology? |
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Ans. Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment. It focuses on understanding how organisms interact with each other and their surroundings, including the physical and biological factors that influence these interactions.
2. How does ecology contribute to our understanding of the environment? |
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Ans. Ecology provides valuable insights into the functioning of ecosystems, helping us to understand the complex interactions between organisms and their environment. Through ecological studies, we can identify the impacts of human activities on ecosystems, predict the consequences of environmental changes, and develop strategies for conservation and sustainable resource management.
3. What are the different levels of ecological organization? |
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Ans. Ecology encompasses various levels of organization, including individual organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere. Individual organisms are the basic unit of study, while populations consist of individuals of the same species in a given area. Communities are formed by different populations living together, and ecosystems involve the interactions between communities and their physical environment. The biosphere refers to the global ecosystem that encompasses all living organisms and their environments on Earth.
4. How do biotic and abiotic factors influence ecosystems? |
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Ans. Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. Abiotic factors, on the other hand, are non-living components, including temperature, sunlight, soil composition, and water availability. Both biotic and abiotic factors play crucial roles in shaping ecosystems. Biotic factors, such as predation and competition, impact the distribution and abundance of species. Abiotic factors determine the types of organisms that can survive in a particular environment and influence their growth, reproduction, and overall fitness.
5. What are the main threats to biodiversity and ecosystem stability? |
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Ans. Biodiversity and ecosystem stability are under threat due to various factors, including habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, invasive species, and overexploitation of natural resources. Human activities, such as deforestation, industrial pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices, have significantly contributed to the loss of species and disruption of ecosystems. These threats can lead to imbalances in ecological processes, reduced ecosystem resilience, and the loss of valuable ecosystem services that support human well-being.