Difference Between Ecology and Ecosystem

Main Difference – Ecology vs Ecosystem

Ecology and ecosystem are two closely related terms which describe the interactions of organisms with their environment. Ecology is the study of relationships and interactions of living organisms either with other living organisms or the surrounding environment. Ecosystem is a subpart of ecology. It comprises of a biotic factor including all animals, plants, and microorganisms, and an abiotic factor including all non-living physical factors in the environment. The main difference between ecology and ecosystem is that ecology is the study of ecosystems whereas ecosystems are units that are formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with the environment.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Ecology 
     – Definition, Structure, Role
2. What is Ecosystem
      – Definition, Structure, Role
3. What are the similarities between Ecology and Ecosystem
      – Outline of the similarities
4. What is the difference between Ecology and Ecosystem
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Ecology, Ecosystem, Food, Nutrients, Water, Animals, Plants, Microorganisms, Autotrophs, Heterotrophs, Food Chain, Food Web, Environment, Symbiotic Relationships, Biodiversity

Difference Between Ecology and Ecosystem - Comparison Summary

What is Ecology

Ecology describes the relations of organisms to one another and to their corresponding environment. Three major components studied in ecology are living organisms, the relationship and interactions with other organisms, and the relationships and interactions with the surrounding environment. Symbiotic relationships like rhizobium and legume in plant roots as well as the competition among herbivorous animals for food are organisms-organism interactions. All animals and plants rely on various aspects of their environment in order to obtain food, nutrients, and water. The response of organisms to climate, soil, topography, atmosphere, and water availability are the other types of relationships of organisms to their living environment. For example, animals in cold environments have small ears but, animals in deserts have long ears since long ears help to cool the body by increasing the heat loss. Ecology maintains a close relationship with the disciplines of physiology, behavior, genetics, and evolution. The broader details studied during ecology includes:

  • Life processes, interactions, and adaptations of a specific species.
  • The influence of environmental factors on the organisms in a population.
  • The progress changes in the ecosystems.
  • The distribution and abundance of organisms in the environment.
  • Biodiversity within an ecosystem.
Difference Between Ecology and Ecosystem

Figure 1: Biodiversity of a Coral Reef

What is an Ecosystem

The ecosystem comprises of all living organisms in an area or the community of organisms and non-living abiotic factors dealing with the community. An ecosystem is categorized into biotic and abiotic factors. All living organisms in the environment are identified as the biotic factor. Other non-living physical things which interact with the biotic factor are identified as the abiotic factor. Abiotic factors are climate, sunlight, soil, water, minerals, and other non-living matters. The biotic and abiotic factors are linked by two factors: the flow of energy through the ecosystem and the cycling of nutrients within the ecosystem.

Sunlight is the fundamental energy of the majority of ecosystems. It is used by autotrophs in the ecosystem to produce simple carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water. Autotrophs are considered as primary producers in an ecosystem. Complex organic compounds like proteins, starch, and lipids are produced inside autotrophs. The heterotrophs in the ecosystem depend on the organic matter produced by the autotrophs. Heterotrophs are the consumers of the ecosystem. The movement of organic matter from primary producer level to the consumer level makes up a food chain. The final link of the food chain is a decomposer, comprised of microorganisms. The overlapping and interconnecting food chains forms the food web. A complete cycle of a food chain is shown in figure 2.

Main Difference - Ecology vs Ecosystem

Figure 2: A complete Cycle of a Food Chain

Similarities Between Ecology and Ecosystem

  • Both ecology and ecosystem describe the relationship and interactions of the living organisms with each other and their surrounding environment.
  • These relationships and interactions with each other fulfill their basic requirements of life like food, nutrients, water, and residence. 

Difference Between Ecology and Ecosystem

Definition

Ecology: Ecology is a branch of biology which deals with the relationships of organisms to one another and to their physical environment.

Ecosystem: Ecosystem is a community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Correspondence

Ecology: Ecology is the study of ecosystems.

Ecosystem: An ecosystem is a subset of ecology.

Relationship

Ecology: Ecology includes the study of relationship between living organisms and their environment.

Ecosystem: Ecosystem is a place like a forest, taiga, grassland, desert, stillwater, river or a stream, coral reefs, etc.

Conclusion

Ecology and ecosystem describe the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors in an environmental system. Ecology is the study of ecosystems. Ecosystem describes the relationship of the mass of living organisms, which belong to same or different communities. This is the main difference between ecology and ecosystem. Organisms maintain relationships and interactions between each other as well as the external environment for the purpose of obtaining basic life requirements like food, nutrients, water, and residence.

Reference:

1. “What is ecology?” Khan Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. Available here. 06 June 2017. 
2. Gaia. “Environment and Ecology.” What is Ecology. N.p., n.d. Web. Available here. 06 June 2017. 
3. “Ecosystem.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 12 Dec. 2016. Web. Available here. 06 June 2017. 
4. “ECOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEM.” Bihar Envis Centre – Environment Information System. N.p., n.d. Web. Available here. 06 June 2017.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Blue Linckia Starfish” By Copyright (c) 2004 Richard Ling (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Complete-circle-foodchain”By Junjira saetae – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Lakna

Lakna, a graduate in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, is a Molecular Biologist and has a broad and keen interest in the discovery of nature related things. She has a keen interest in writing articles regarding science.

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