Ecology deals with the relations between organisms (plants, animals, man) and the environment. Probably such a statement does not make much sense to you, so we will start by considering as examples four organisms, two plants and two animals, which you can probably find nearby: a grass plant, a tree, a snail and a lizard (figure 1.1). We can look at the living world around us from many different points of view; some of these viewpoints are part of ecology. Observations in science often have the character of analysis; that means taking to pieces. Although this may be necessary to see enough detail, for a proper understanding it is essential to consider the wholeness as well; if we consider organisms we have to take into account their structure, ('how they are built'), together with their behaviour ('what they do') and function ('what it's good for'). It often helps to imagine a change of role, to think that you are a tree or a lizard yourself and that you have to survive in the environment as perceived by that organism.
Año de publicación
1984
Autores
Idioma
English
Palabras clave
ecology, sudan
Geográfico
Sudan
