Autecology

Autecology is an approach in ecology that seeks to explain the distribution and abundance of species by studying interactions of individual organisms with their environments. An autecological approach differs from both community ecology (synecology) and population ecology by greater recognition of the species-specific adaptations of individual animals, plants or other organisms, and of environmental over density-dependent influences on species distributions.[1] Autecological theory relates the species-specific requirements and environmental tolerances of individuals to the geographic distribution of the species, with individuals tracking suitable conditions, having the capacity for migration at at least one stage in their life cycles.[2] Autecology has a strong grounding in evolutionary theory,including the theory of punctuated equilibrium and the recognition concept of species.[3]

Basic theory

Recognition concept

Autecological theory is focused on species as the most important unit of biological organisation, as individuals across all populations of a particular species share species-specific adaptations that influence their ecology.[4] This particularly relates to reproduction, as individuals of a sexual species share unique adaptations (e.g. courtship songs, pheromones) for recognising potential mates, and share a fertilisation mechanism that differs from those in all other species. This recognition concept of species differs from the biological species concept (or isolation concept) which defines species by cross-mating sterility, which in allopatric speciation is merely a consequence of adaptive change in a new species' fertilisation mechanism to suit a different environment.[3]

Environmental matching

Individuals from across a species' range tend to be relatively uniform in terms of their dietary and habitat requirements and the range of environmental conditions they can tolerate. These differ from those of other species. Individuals of a species likewise share specific sensory adaptations for recognising suitable habitat. Seasonal changes and variability in climate mean that the spatial and/or temporal distribution of suitable habitat for a species also varies[5].In response, organisms track suitable conditions, for example by migrating in order to remain within suitable habitat, for which there is evidence in the fossil record.[6] By determining the requirements and tolerances of a particular species, it is possible to predict how individuals of that species will respond to specific environmental changes [7]

Applications

Conservation autecology

Knowledge of species-level interactions, tolerances and habitat requirements is valuable for conservation of an endangered plant or animal species by ensuring its particular ecological requirements are met. [8][9]

With focus on individual organism, autecology has mechanistic links to several other biological fields, including ethology, evolution, genetics and physiology[10]

References

  1. ↑ Walter, GH; Hengeveld, R (2000). "The Structure of the two ecological paradigms". Acta Biotheoretica. 48: 15–36.
  2. ↑ name=Walter2014>Template:Walter, GH; Hengeveld, R (2014). Autecology: organisms, interactions and environmental dynamics. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
  3. 1 2 Paterson, HEH (1993). Evolution and the recognition concept of species. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
  4. ↑ name=Walter2014/
  5. ↑ name=Walter2014/
  6. ↑ Turner A and Paterson H (1991) Species and speciation: evolutionary tempo and mode in the fossil record reconsidered. Geobios 24:761-769.
  7. ↑ name=Walter2014/
  8. ↑ Gonzalez-Benito E, Martin C and Iriondo JM (1995) Autecology and conservation of Erodium paularense Fdez. Glez. & Izco. Biological Conservation 72: 55-60.
  9. ↑ Stewart AJA and New TR (2007) Insect conservation in temperate biomes: issues, progress and prospects. In Stewart A J A, New TR and Lewis OT (eds.) Insect Conservation Biology, CABI, Wallingford, UK.
  10. ↑ name=Walter2014/


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.