Ecological studies are generally based on the habitat, taxonomic groups, and different levels of organization. The studies based on the levels of organization, ecological studies are categorized into autoecology and synecology. Studies on the individual level is autoecology, and the group level it is called synecology.
Autoecology refers to the study of interactions between individual organisms or species with their environment. It is also called the ecology of the individual. In other words, auroecology is the study of the individual’s relation to their environment, which includes its taxonomic position, geographical distribution, morphological characters, life cycle, behaviour, and reproduction, and how they might influence their activities.
The studies are conducted on how the environment influences the individual’s reactions at any given time and the effects of these reactions on their environment. Such studies focus on the morphology of the affected individual, or their geographical distribution, or the influence of the environment on their life cycle, or how their developmental stages are affected.
For example, a temperature change can highly influence both the life cycle and developmental stages of an individual. Such changes are seen in some reptiles that hatch their eggs. Here, the sex of the offspring is influenced by the temperature during hatching.
Darwin, the zoologist, found that Finches, a type of bird in the Galapagos Islands, have differently shaped and sized beaks depending on their habitats as they feed on different vegetation for their survival.
In another example of adaptation of organisms in the higher altitudes, individuals have a higher number of RBCs to compensate for the low oxygen levels. Those living in lower altitudes or in the plains have a lower number of RBCs.
Synecology is the study of a group of organisms that live together. This group of organisms is considered a unit for the study. Synecology deals with the study of these organisms and their relation to their environment.
It was Schröter and Kirchner who coined the term Synecology in 1896. This study includes community ecology, ecosystem ecology, and biomes.
An example of synecology is the study of the effects of acid rain on the pond ecosystem. Its direct and indirect effects come under the study, as acid rain can make the environment unfavourable for the ecosystem, which can cause chemical reactions in the environment and in the organisms.
Another example is Gause’s principle, a derived concept of Resource Partitioning. Here, the organisms under the study will be competing with each other for their food, space, etc, which divides the resources and the habitat.
| Autecology | Synecology |
| It’s the study of groups of organisms, species, or communities with their environment | A study is conducted at the highest biological level of organization. |
| Also known as population ecology | Also called community ecology |
| The study is conducted at the individual level. | A study is conducted at the highest biological level of organisation. |
| It is simpler, experimental and inductive. | It is more complex, philosophical, and deductive. |
| Studies can be set up in a lab, and the data can be interpreted using different tools. | Since the system is natural, studies cannot be accommodated in a laboratory setup. |
| Example: Study of horse, elephant, or zebra population and their interactions with their environment in an ecosystem. | Example: Study of grassland ecosystem, pond ecosystem, etc. |
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