Introduction: Functions of Ecology

Digest

• At all levels of ecological organization we can:
• describe
• explain
• predict
• control
• Proximal vs. ultimate explanations
• ultimate explanations are evolutionary based
• Examples of uses of ecology:
• minimize the effects of locust plagues
• protecting crops by predicting when conditions will be favorable
• maintain endangered species
• conserve biodiversity to maintain ecosystem services
• pure vs. applied ecology
• applied ecology is based on the strong foundation of pure ecology
• applied ecology has become important now partly due to political influence

Functions of ecology

Questions

1. What are the uses of ecology?
2. How has applied ecology developed and why has it become more important now?