The Baltic University Programme - A regional university network on sustainable development

Chapter 3
Ecology and Ecosystems

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Content

The hierarchies of ecology

  • Biology and environment

  • What is ecology?

  • Where and how organisms live ­ habitat and niche

  • The hierarchical levels in ecology ­ individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems

Biological change

  • The individual ­ reproduction and evolution 

  • The population ­ fluctuation in number of individuals

  • The community ­ diversity and interactions

Flows of energy and matter in ecosystems

  • Ecosystem ecology

  • Energy and biomass in an ecosystem ­ flow of energy and circulation of matter

  • Food chains and food webs

  • Interactions in ecosystems ­ competition and co-operation

  • Review Box 3.1 Ecological principles of sustainability

  • How ecosystems develop ­ succession

  • Methods Box 3.2 Environmental monitoring

Biology and biogeographical zones of the Baltic region

  • Biology of the Baltic region

  • Vegetation zonation

  • Arctic-alpine areas ­ the Scandinavian fjell (mountains) and Tatra-Carpatian mountains

  • Coniferous forest, boreal forest ­ taiga

  • Mixed coniferous ­ broad-leafed forests, boreo-nemoral forests

  • Broad-leaved forests, nemoral forests

Habitats

  • Semi-natural grasslands

  • Arable land

  • Review Box 3.3 Waterscape habitats

  • Urban areas