You may have ever heard the word ecophysiology or maybe you have heard of Environmental Physiology or Physiological Ecology. If you wonder what this term is in ecology, continue with the reading of this article because in ecology it will respond.
If we observe the composition of the word, we can think that it has to be related to ecology and physiology, this is giving us clues of what it can mean. What we do know then is that its meaning is linked to the natural world and its mechanisms. Throughout this article we will explain the complete concept with greater clarity, so that at the end of its reading we all know What is ecophysiology and some examples.
What is ecophysiology – simple definition
Ecophysiology is the part of ecology that studies physiological processes or mechanisms of living beings outside the laboratory, in their habitat and under the influence of natural environmental conditions or factors. These conditions vary continuously naturally or for anthropic causes, gradually or drastically. That is, study the response from living beings to environmental changes under those that are subject naturally.
Ecophysiology is closely related to comparative physiology and evolutionary physiology.
- Comparative physiology: Study and analyze the different functional characteristics or mechanisms of various types of organisms.
- Evolutionary Physiology: It is the study of the physiological or functional evolution that organisms have suffered over time, responding to certain factors.
This relationship is given because ecophysiology studies the physiological processes of living organisms, which are subject to different environmental conditions. In this way, it is intimately linked to the different functional characteristics of the individuals and the physiological evolution of each of them, thus relating to their adaptations for their survival. On the other hand, these adaptations are studied within the branch of ecology called Self -ecology. Know more about what self -ecology is in this other post of ecology.
Types of ecophysiology
Within ecophysiology we can distinguish two types, depending on the organisms that are under study.
- Plant ecophysiology It focuses on the study of issues that relate the growth, reproduction, survival, abundance or geographical distribution of plants based on their interactions with the physical, chemical and biotic environment.
- Animal ecophysiology He is in charge of the same study, but focusing on animals. Although they differ in movement, animals can move to other places when conditions are unfavorable, as occurs with bird migration.
Examples of ecophysiology
To finish understanding what ecophysiology is, here we show some Examples of ecophysiology They are easy:
Ecophysiology in plants
- Temperature: In response to high temperatures and to avoid overheating, plants can minimize light absorption. There are several ways to do so, some of them are named are: the presence of pilosities or difference in tone in the color of the leaf and orientation, in such a way that they avoid the absorption of solar radiation. In the event that temperatures are low, as in the case of plants found in cold areas of New Zealand, the method that follows to resist cold winds, is to form groups as a “quilt” to protect the most vulnerable parts of them.
- Water: Both water scarcity and excess of this, which is called water stress, is harmful to plants. In the first case, the death of the plant would cause dehydration and in the second, the flooding of the land would considerably reduce the concentration of oxygen available for the plant, being able to kill it. One of the techniques or adaptations of plants in cases of water shortage is to close their stomata to avoid dehydration, or for example in the case of cactus, accustomed to very dry and difficult climates, the presence of thorns instead of leaves to minimize the loss of water.
Ecophysiology in animals
- Temperature: In the case of animals, including humans, if the temperature is high, the body reacts to reduce it in the form of sweating or by panting, that is, opening the mouth, as in the case of dogs. If on the contrary the temperature is low, the way to increase it is through small spasms like when we shiver.
- Altitude: The great heights carry a reduction of the present oxygen, so the human body and that of the rest of animals react by increasing the concentration of hemoglobin, which as we all know transport oxygen in the blood.
These have been some examples that we hope have clarified the concept of ecophysiology.
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