De La Salle University Dasmarias

College of Engineering, Architecture and Graphics Design & Multimedia

Engineering Department CE/ESE

Environmental Engineering (CEET313)

Preliminary Period
1. Ecological Concepts
1.1 Ecology of Life
WHAT IS ECOLOGY?
Ecology (from Greek: , "house", or "environment"; -, "study of") is the scientific analysis and
study of interactions among organisms and their environment. It is an interdisciplinary field that includes
biology, geography, and Earth science. Ecology includes the study of interactions organisms have with
each other, other organisms, and with abiotic components of their environment. Topics of interest to
ecologists include the diversity, distribution, amount (biomass), and number (population) of particular
organisms, as well as cooperation and competition between organisms, both within and among
ecosystems. Ecosystems are composed of dynamically interacting parts including organisms, the
communities they make up, and the non-living components of their environment. Ecosystem processes,
such as primary production, pedogenesis, nutrient cycling, and various niche construction activities,
regulate the flux of energy and matter through an environment. These processes are sustained by
organisms with specific life history traits, and the variety of organisms is called biodiversity. Biodiversity,
which refers to the varieties of species, genes, and ecosystems, enhances certain ecosystem services. The
scientist who studies these relationships is called Ecologist.
Subdivision of Ecology
Autecology deals with the study of the individual organism, its life history, behaviour, characteristics and
its adaptation to the environment. Synecology deals with the study of groups of organisms which are
associated as a unit in relation to its environment.
Levels of Organization
A group of similar organisms in the same area at a given time forms a population. A group of population
of one species that live in the same area and interact with each other form a community. Communities
that interact with each other in their surroundings form the ecosystem, and all the ecosystems on the earth
form the total environment of the earth, the Biosphere.
Different Stages of Level of Organization
Atom is the smallest unit particle of matter. Molecule is the basic chemical unit that makes up the parts of
a cell. Organelle is parts of the cell. Cell is the small unit of living things. Tissue is a group of similar
cells. Organ is a group of differentiated tissues doing the same work. System is a group of different
organs performing different functions. Organism is an individual living thing, either plant or animal.
Population is a group of similar organisms occupying a definite area. Community is a group of different
populations interacting with one another. Ecosystem is a group of communities interacting with their
physical factors. Biosphere composed of all the ecosystems on earth with the physical environment. Earth
is composed of its planetary environment.
Interaction in an Ecosystem
Abiotic-abiotic is the interaction relationship among physical factors in the environment. Biotic-biotic is
the interactions relationship among biotic factors in the community. Biotic-abiotic factor is the
relationship between living and non-living things in a community

School Year 2016-2017, First Semester

De La Salle University Dasmarias

College of Engineering, Architecture and Graphics Design & Multimedia

Engineering Department CE/ESE

Environmental Engineering (CEET313)

Abiotic Factors Water

Water is an important ecological factor. It is an inorganic substance which plays an important role in the
ecosystem. It brings about changes in the life forms of plants and animals. Aquatic plants and animals
have different structures from terrestrial forms.
Water is very irregularly distributed on the earths surface. It has an important bearing on the character of
the organisms that live on various types of habitat. Plants are classified ecologically according to their
water requirements.
Plant water requirements
Hydrophytes are plants that thrive in places where the amount of water is abundant, usually fresh water
plants are called hydrophytes like lotus and water lettuce. Halophytes are plants thriving in a place where
the water available contains much dissolve salts. The sea or ocean where plants inhabit have abundant
supply of water, but due to its concentration, the plant absorbs it with difficulty like mangrove, nipa and
algae. Mesophytes are like most of our plants that bears flowers and fruits. They need a moderate supply
of water for their subsistence. Xerophytes are plants that can tolerate where water supply is very scanty
like cacti, maguey which thrives in dry places like deserts and other dry areas. Tropophytes are plants that
can adapt itself year after year where seasonal changes bring marked change in the amount of available
water from the soil like rose plants.
Abiotic Factors Soil
Soil is another important ecological factor. On land, the character of the soil determines largely the
character of vegetation and the types of animals that maintain themselves upon it. Organisms find
different kinds of soil available for their habitats, and as a place in which to escape enemies, high
temperature and desiccation.
Types of Soil
Sandy is an inorganic soil particle that is larger than clay or silt. Plants dont grow well because water
goes rapidly through the spaces between particle, and water dries off quickly. Its size is about 1 mm to
0.05 mm in diameter. Clay is the smallest organic particle of soil compared with silt and sand. It retains
water before drying, it is sticky and not suitable for plant growth. Water moves very slowly. It is often
damp and poorly drained, about 0.005 mm in diameter. Silt is made up of very fine particles of soil or
clay, deposited as sediments. It is about 0.05 to 0.005 in diameter.
Abiotic Factors Sunlight
Light is an important physical factor. Without light, life on earth would be impossible. The process of
photosynthesis on which organisms depend for the manufacture of food, does not take place except in the
presence of light.
Temperature
An increase in temperature increases vapour pressure by increasing molecular motion. Variations in
temperature are generally less locally than variation in light larger areas. Temperature in sunlight and in
shade differs and influence animals in their selection of a habitat.

School Year 2016-2017, First Semester

De La Salle University Dasmarias

College of Engineering, Architecture and Graphics Design & Multimedia

Engineering Department CE/ESE

Environmental Engineering (CEET313)

Biotic Factors
Biotic factors are the living components of the ecosystem which includes plants, animals and
microorganisms. No organisms can live by itself alone, it must live in the same environment with orders
of its kind and with other species, where it is obliged to compete for space, food and mates, and protect
itself from enemies. Plants are also important factor in the biological environment since it is the main
source of food.
Biotic Factors Intraspecific
This kind of relationship includes mating, assistance gregariousness, and competition. Organisms
belonging to the same species must compete with one another for space, food, and mates.
Biotic Factors Interspecific
This kind relationship is also biological factors of great importance. Different species must struggle with
each other for space and food. Since many species use other kinds of animals for food, each habitat
includes predaceous animals.
References
Introduction to environmental engineering Fifth Edition by Mackensie Leo Davis and David Cornwell,
2013 ed.
Environmental Biology by Jose A. Ordoez II, 2003 ed.

School Year 2016-2017, First Semester