Study of the geosphere, the search for and disclosure of links between nature and man, as well as the construction of an optimal model of this interaction - this is what the science of ecology.Subject and problems of ecology, objectives and methods of research - what are they?This will be discussed further.
What is ecology?
It is a science, from which, in fact, the future of the entire human society.In the XXI century, the crisis in the relationship between man and the environment has intensified to the limit, so the main goals and objectives of ecology lie in finding ways to resolve the conflict.
name of discipline comes from two walnut words: "oikos" - "house, home" and "logos" - "teaching".In 1866, the first mentioned science "ecology", subject and problems that concern the interactions of communities of living organisms with each other and with the environment.This term coined by the German scientist Ernst Haeckel in the book "The general morphology of organisms."
Broadly speaking, the subject matter of ecology lies in the relations between organisms and the world around them, as well as in the study of the structure and organization of ecosystems and populations, allocation mechanisms supporting their steadfastness in the space-time field.
essence Ecology XXI-st century
Only at the end of the XIX century formed the science and ecology.The object and purpose of her at the time were limited to the study of the relationships of living organisms with the environment they live.In fact, such it remained until the mid-twentieth century, while retaining the features of a purely biological discipline.
Toward the end of the last century, the environment begins to turn into one of the first synthetic (interdisciplinary) sciences.Nowadays, it has retained its Greek name.The truth is, in its essence, is not quite accurately reflects the basic problem of ecology.
Modern Ecology XXI Century - the science of the strategy for conservation and sustainable development of life on Earth in general.This is the main mission of this discipline, combining theoretical and practical features.
Ecology: The subject and problems of ecology
Perhaps the major methodological apparatus of any science in favor of its subject matter and complex tasks."Knowledge of the nature of the economy," - this seemed Ernst Haeckel ecology.The object and purpose of ecology - what are they?Let's try to sort out this issue.
To answer this question you need to rely on a well-known principle of systems science.It provides an understanding of natural systems as a single, integrated system.Based on the principle of systematic, object of study of ecology is the ecosystem (or rather, the ecosystem of different ranks).
Ecology in its development aims to answer two fundamental questions:
- What is the structure of the ecosystem.
- How does an ecosystem develops.
Accordingly, the whole environment is divided into two large sections: a structural and dynamic.And they both are closely together.
Based on the scientific principle of the systems, it is also possible to outline the subject matter of this science: the study of structure, characteristics and patterns of ecosystem functioning at different levels.
What problem confronts a science environment?Among them are the following:
- general and comprehensive study of the biosphere and its development influenced by various factors.
- Predicting the dynamics of ecosystems in space-time field.
- Developing ways to optimize the relationship between man and nature in order to improve the quality of life on the planet as a whole.
place of ecology in general scientific knowledge system
Modern Ecology combines elements of natural, human, exact and technical sciences.Biology, geography, medicine, economics, psychology, sociology and environmental management - these and some other disciplines, it is in close interaction.
In addition, at the intersection of ecology with other sciences close it formed a completely new and exciting discipline.Among them - bioecology, geo-ecology, environmental engineering, noosferologiya and the like.
structure of modern ecological science
Today we know more than 100 destinations in the environmental sciences, each of which is engaged in the narrow issues.There are several classifications of ecology, each of which is built on its principles.The most detailed and reasonable is the structure proposed by scientist M. Reimers.
offers to share environmental science into two large blocks:
- theoretical ecology.
- Applied Ecology.
first involves bio-ecology with all its many divisions, as well as recreation.The unit is part of Applied Ecology geoecology, sotsioekologiya, Biospherology and Environmental Engineering with its branches.
very important place in the application block takes environmental engineering - the science of the factors and criteria for environmental pollution.It is also often referred tehnoekologiey.It includes many disciplines: ecology energy, transport and communications environment, ecology, agriculture, cosmic environment, environmental impact assessment and others.
It is worth noting that each of these disciplines is designed to solve a range of problems and tasks.At the same time they all use the developments and achievements of other environmental disciplines.
Objectives and methods of environmental
to solve the complex problems of its environmental science using a wide range of different methods.They can be represented by three main groups:
- methods to gather information on the status and functioning of ecosystems.
- Methods of processing the information received.
- Methods of interpreting the materials and results.
most popular methods used in ecology today: stationary observation and experiment, math, mapping and modeling method.Especially popular today, the construction of mathematical models.To this end, based on the extracted "in the" empirical facts and materials constructed abstract model ecosystems (with special characters).Then, change some settings, you can easily observe how to behave (vary) system.
In conclusion ...
Almost half a century ago science arose from the success of which now depends on the future of mankind.The name of this science - ecology.Subject and problems of ecology are reduced to the study of the characteristics and laws of the functioning of ecosystems, which are developed on the basis of the strategy of stable development of life on our planet.Modern man does not need to prove the necessity of the existence of this science.
