Lecture 1: Intro [What is Ecology]

Question 1

Primary literature…

Answer 1

Written communication of results of original research, typically through academic journals

Question 2

What role does primary literature play in the course?

Answer 2

-Reinforce and expand on textbook
-Learn like a researcher
-Improve scientific literacy
-Improve figure reading skills

Question 3

In 1866 who coined ecology?

Answer 3

German naturalist Ernst Haeckel

Question 4

What is ecology?

Answer 4

The scientific study of the distribution, abundance and dynamics of organisms, and their interactions with other organisms and with their physical environment

Question 5

What is conservation biology

Answer 5

The study of the management of nature and of Earth’s biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates if extinction and the erosion of biotic interactions

Question 6

Conservation biology…

Answer 6

-An inherently applied scientific field
-Informed by ecological research
-Material aims

Question 7

What is environmental science?

Answer 7

An academic field that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of the physical environmental problems

Question 8

Environmental science…

Answer 8

-A very broad interdisciplinary field
-Partially informed by ecological research
-Inherently applied
-Largely human focused

Question 9

What is environmentalism?

Answer 9

A philosophy, ideology, and social movement regarding concerns for environmental protection and improvement of the health of the environment

Question 10

Environmentalism…

Answer 10

-Not a scientific field
-Informed by ecology and earth sciences/environmental science
-Material aims