Ecología

Abstract

The study of ecosystems requires a multidisciplinary approach, which allows us to look at different phenomena with the perspective that everything is linked to each other. Ecology is, therefore, a Science of synthesis. Chemistry, physics, geography, to mention but a few, are sciences that the ecologist must study in order to understand many living phenomena. Because man is an important component of ecosystems, since he has developed a great capacity to transform them, the concept of ecosystem occupies a central position not only in the field of natural sciences, but also in the field of social sciences. For this reason, throughout the development of the book, we have proposed to highlight the human intervention in different ecosystems. This book is divided into six units. The first unit refers to the presentation of the basic concepts of ecology. The second unit deals with the levels of organization and interaction of the living world. The third unit studies the trajectory of matter and energy in ecosystems. The fourth unit deals with the descriptive study of the biotic factors that are part of the ecosystem. The fifth unit presents the distribution of living beings in the world, and the sixth unit considers natural resources, their depletion and pollution. The general purpose of this book is to give the student the basic concepts, to understand the principles in which life on earth has developed and is still developing.