In science, the term ecology refers to the branch of biology that studies the relationship among organisms and their interaction with the physical environment. An example of this study is how a cactus grows in the middle of the desert or how flowers depend on bees for pollination.

The three methods of ecological research include the following:

a. Observing/Observation – This is the process of obtaining significant information using the senses. It helps answer questions by simply looking around for evidence.

b. Experimenting/Experimentation – This is the process of testing the hypothesis by setting up a controlled environment in a laboratory.

c. Modeling – This is the process of using models, such as mathematical models, to show how a certain event or phenomenon occurs with the aim to answer questions.

The three methods of ecological research include the following:

a. Observing/Observation – This is the process of obtaining significant information using the senses. It helps answer questions by simply looking around for evidence.

b. Experimenting/Experimentation – This is the process of testing the hypothesis by setting up a controlled environment in a laboratory.

c. Modeling – This is the process of using models, such as mathematical models, to show how a certain event or phenomenon occurs and to answer questions about ecology.

Biotic and abiotic factors, which are parts of the ecosystem, are both studied in ecology as they play significant roles in the interdependence of organisms with each other and their environment. The word “bio” means life. Biotic factors are any biological or living organism in an environment that influences and contributes to a particular outcome. On the other hand, the word “abiotic” is the opposite of biotic. Abiotic means nonliving or lifeless. Examples of abiotic factors include sunlight, soil, water, temperature, and other physical and chemical factors.

To understand the global systems and the changes they undergo in a better way, we can use a model to represent the various ecological processes that occur within the biosphere. One example of a model that we can use is the earth systems model. It can show the causes and effects of global change to provide us with insights and learning about the global system as a whole.

Biosphere 2 is a miniature model of the biosphere, which is designed by biologists and engineers, that is sealed off from the world outside. In this investigation, the method of modeling is used to show the behavior and the performance of an actual biosphere. Scientists created a prototype or an artificial environment that can support life-forms. It has a miniature tropical forest, an ocean with a coral reef, a desert, a grassland, and a mangrove forest. In these environments, many different species were contained. In addition, a crew of eight people also sealed themselves inside it.

The Earth consists of four interacting spheres or systems. Overall, each part is different from one another in terms of its features and properties, but when these four systems are combined, they all form our planet.

1. Atmosphere – It is the blanket of air that covers the Earth. It is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases in small amounts.
2. Biosphere – This portion contains the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere wherein all of the living organisms on Earth are thriving.
3. Hydrosphere – It contains the Earth’s water, which is found on the surface and under the ground. It includes the groundwater, oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, lakes, and other bodies of water.
4. Geosphere – This consists of the region that makes up the Earth’s interior, the rocks, and the soil. These regions include the crust, the mantle, and the core.

These four systems are quite difficult to study individually because all the systems are integral parts of the Earth, wherein all physical, chemical, and biological means are interrelated in these systems. Matter and energy are always recycled into other forms and phases in those four systems. This is the reason why one system always interacts with at least one other system. Therefore, the whole system is intact and we cannot study one system without mentioning the other systems.