Ecology

A major part of ecology is studying the relationship of organisms with their environment. These, which are also referred to as biotic (the organisms) and abiotic (the environment) components, all make up an ecosystem. In order to understand the mechanics behind an ecosystem, it is important to know the influences of the organisms and the environment with each other. The question now is: Is it the environment that influences the organism, or is it the organism that influences the environment?

Before answering that question, we must remember that in order for an ecosystem to be truly an ecosystem, there must be interaction between all of its components. Organisms must interact with other organisms, and organisms must also interact with its environment. In order for these to be considered as full-fledged interactions, it must be a two-way interaction, meaning both parties must play an active role in the interaction.

Narrowing down to the organism-environment interaction, and considering its two-way nature, we then must agree that both influence the other. The environment plays a key-role in the evolution of the organisms, contributing to the diversity of the species. The environment influences the organism, and the organism influences the environment as well.

The Environment Influences the Organism

In almost all environment of the earth, organisms are present. They make their habitat in almost every area, vents, crevices, and even the freezing mountains of the world. Each environment then provides the organisms inhabiting them with resources and as well as constraints that shape the organisms. The organisms will have to adapt to their environment and set-up its role in the ecosystem or its ecological niche.

Based on the environment that the organism lives in, it develops its own sets of behaviors and strategies in order to survive and to reproduce successfully. Plants living in windy areas develop pollens or seeds that are light weight and could easily be carried...