ecology

## What I do - Study interactions between organisms and their environment - Analyze population dynamics and species interactions - Investigate ecosystem structure and function - Research biodiversity and conservation - Model ecological systems - Assess environmental impacts ## When to use me - When studying species interactions - When analyzing population dynamics - When investigating ecosystem processes - When assessing environmental impact - When modeling ecological systems - When developing conservation strategies ## Key Concepts ### Population Ecology **Population Growth Models** - Exponential growth: dN/dt = rN - Logistic growth: dN/dt = rN(1-N/K) - Logistic with harvest ```python # Example: Logistic growth model def logistic_growth(N, r, K): """ Calculate population growth rate. N: Population size r: Intrinsic growth rate K: Carrying capacity """ return r * N * (1 - N / K) ``` ### Species Interactions - **Predation**: One benefits, one loses - **Competition**: Both lose (resource limitation) - **Mutualism**: Both benefit - **Commensalism**: One benefits, neutral - **Parasitism**: One benefits, one loses ### Ecosystem Components **Abiotic Factors** - Temperature, light, water - Soil, nutrients, pH - Climate, elevation **Biotic Factors** - Producers (autotrophs) - Consumers (heterotrophs) - Decomposers (saprotrophs) ### Ecological Levels - Organism → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biome → Biosphere