Applied Ecology

Agroecosystems

Formed between biotic and abiotic factors in a defined area, an agroecosystem influences the distribution and population of living organisms.  They tend to minimise human impact. Differences from normal ecosystems: maintenance at an early successional rate monoculture crops planted in rows simplification of biodiversity intensive tillage use of GM organisms and artificially selected crops Refers to the study of an ecological phenomenon in the crop field e.g. the relationship between predator and prey. It needs energy input to maintain a balance e.g. use of pesticides disturbs balance by killing organisms. Maintenance keeps pest populations at manageable levels: Ecosystems are ever changing systems Ecosystems follow food webs All elements of an agroecosystem are closely linked, disturbance to one has effect on others

Conservation

Humans recognise the necessity to maintain a balance between the needs of ourselves and other species.  Conservation of forests: encouragement of sustainable use of forests. Governments must be persuaded that more money can often be made by exploiting forests on a sustainable basis than by destroying them.

Diversity

This depends on the number of species and abundance of each species in an ecosystem.  Growth of population depends on: Abiotic factors Biotic factors D is the index of diversity  N is the total number of organisms of all species in area n is the total number of organisms of each species in area

Index Of Diversity (image/jpeg)