Autoecology: what is it, its characteristics and functions?

Let's see what the scientific discipline known as autoecology is and what it is for.

Autoecology is defined as a branch of ecology that deals with the study of the interactions between an individual, population or species with the total environment in which it lives. environment in which it lives. This encompasses the relationships with both the living and non-living elements of the ecosystem in which the species carries out its vital functions.

This branch differs from synecology and population ecology in that it is based on a more specific observation at the level of the individual and its adaptations to the environment, as opposed to a more generalized study among Biological communities. This does not mean that one discipline is more valid than the other: they are all complementary, since they approach the same problems from different points of view.

In a world where more than 32,000 species are in danger of extinction (27% of all described species), baseline knowledge of the requirements and needs of living beings is essential. (27 % of all described species), baseline knowledge of the requirements and needs of living beings is essential. This is why autoecology is a scientific branch that is increasingly on the rise. Learn here all the secrets about this exciting biological discipline.

What is autoecology? Conservation and knowledge

As we have said before, autoecology focuses on the adaptation of individual species to the biotic and abiotic factors of the ecosystem in which they live, which also influence their life habits and physiological modifications throughout the generations.

Because as a largely experimental field based on the basic unit of biological classification (i.e., the species), many consider this discipline to be the most basic step in ecology.Many consider this discipline to be the most basic step in ecology. Of course, although it is a foreign term to the general population, it is by no means unimportant in the field of knowledge and conservation of living things.

Many of these disciplines seem to have no function in a globalized society where consumption and industrialization are on the rise, and natural systems are increasingly neglected and at the mercy of a savage utilitarianism.

To further understand the importance of autoecology and other biological disciplines, let's put into perspective the situation of our planet with some data provided by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN):

• 32,000 species of living beings are in danger of extinction, i.e. 27 % of all described biodiversity.
• Of this number, almost 7,000 species are critically endangered. This means that, overall, they have experienced a population reduction of 90 %.
• Amphibians are the hardest hit group, with 41 % of their representatives at risk of extinction.
• Based on all these figures, we can consider that we are facing the sixth mass extinction (anthropocene extinction).

The outlook is certainly not encouraging. Despite dragging species of living beings to extinction with excessive anthropogenic activity, one thing is clear: if we do not save the planet's biodiversity, we may reach a scenario where it will be too late to save ourselves..

Who knows how great the effect of the disappearance of a small invertebrate (such as bees) could be on ecosystems and human society, for example? It can be theorized and modeled scientifically and computationally, but the reality is that the effects of unbalancing the environment can never be fully guessed.

So, with all this data exposed, perhaps the idea of collecting reliable and specific specific and reliable information about the different living beings that populate the planet is no longer an anecdotal matter. is no longer an anecdotal question.

Basic theory

Returning to a less catastrophist and more theoretical framework, we can affirm that autoecology is a mostly experimental branch based on explore variables such as humidity, light, temperature and nutrients with the intention of understanding the needs, life history and behavior of different living beings in their natural environment. in their natural environment.

Even so, autoecologies among taxa of living things can be considerably complicated by taking into account mutualisms and other relationships with other living things in the ecosystem (i.e., with the biotic component). Here are the three basic pillars of this exciting discipline.

1. Concept of recognition

The idea that should be clearest with regard to this branch of ecology is that it is based on the study of the basic functional unit of any ecosystem: that is, the species. All the individuals within this grouping present a series of shared adaptations, which condition and influencethat condition and influence their ecology.

The concept of species-level recognition differs from the more purely biological definition of species. Do not despair, for we try to explain it simply. According to autoecology different species have specific reproductive mechanisms that allow individuals to recognize potential mates (e.g. songs, dances or pheromones) and that differ from the behaviors exhibited by other species.

This postulation is relatively different (although complementary) to the definition of species from a utilitarian point of view, since this reproductive barrier is defined as a mere sterility between different taxa from the strictest point of view.

Summarizing this terminological conglomerate, we could say that the branch that concerns us today is more concerned with behaviors and adaptations that limit sexual reproduction between individuals. in contrast to a merely environmentally adaptive view of fertilization processes. Complex, isn't it?

2. Environmental mating

Individuals within the range of a species tend to be relatively uniform in terms of dietary needs, environmental requirements and range of climatic tolerances. Of course, these vital needs differ among species.

Autoecology attempts to to understand the requirements and tolerances of particular speciesand thus, to predict what their biological fluctuations will be in the face of environmental changes over time. To give some enlightening examples, it is clear that the environment conditions animal behaviors: migrations or hibernation processes are responses completely linked to changing climatic processes.

3. Population sizes and other considerations

Self-ecological theory postulates that populations of a given species reproduce on the basis of a generational replacement rate (equilibrium), unless there is environmental variation that generates individual survival rates that are too low or inordinately high. (equilibrium), unless there is environmental variation that generates individual survival rates that are too low or inordinately high, resulting in a mismatch in population numbers until the previous equilibrium point is restored.

What is the point?

All this theory may sound very technical and impressive, but what is it good for? The truth is that understanding the specific requirements and interactions of individuals at the species level is essential for their conservation and maintenance. their conservation and maintenance.

Something as simple as knowing the pH of the water in which an amphibian species lives can save it from extinction in the future. Each factor, however small it may seem, plays an essential role in the development and evolution of species. It is of essential importance to know the environmental parameters in which living beings move in their natural environment, otherwise, if we want to imitate them in anthropic conditions when they are threatened, it is possible that they cannot be recorded due to the lack of wild populations.

Moreover, the usefulness of autoecology is not based on an act of mere empathy with ecosystems.. Knowing the requirements and needs of some species (e.g., invertebrate pests) may also be essential to learn how to combat them in the long term with the least possible monetary expenditure.

Conclusions

As devastating as it may seem, we are again confronted with some rather discouraging figures.

Scientific experts estimate that 150 to 200 species of living beings become extinct every 24 hours.a not insignificant fact. We are facing a changing stage, to such an extent that several experts have proposed that we call this geological era the "Anthropocene", to reflect the changes and impacts that our species has had on the Earth throughout the years that we have been on it.

It is in the hands of human beings to recover what they have lost.Therefore, even the most basic study is necessary for the subsequent restructuring and ecological restoration of damaged ecosystems.

Here play essential roles disciplines such as autoecology, in charge of investigating living beings at the species level and their interactions with the environment, as well as synecology or population ecology, whose function is to study the interactions and functioning of biological communities (a "more general" framework).

Bibliographical references:

• Autecology, British encyclopedia. Recogido a 14 de septiembre en https://www.britannica.com/science/autecology
• Autoecology: an overview, Sciencedirect.com. Recogido a 14 de septiembre en https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/autoecology
• Hollis, G. J. (2004). Ecology and conservation biology of the Baw Baw frog Philoria frosti (Anura: Myobatrachidae): distribution, abundance, autoecology and demography (Doctoral dissertation).
• More than 32.000 species are threatened with extinction, Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (IUCN). Recogido a 14 de septiembre en https://www.iucnredlist.org/