Introduction to ecology

By the end of the twentieth century ecology as science goes beyond biology becomes interdisciplinary science, which stands at the intersection of biological, geological - geographical, technical and socio - economic sciences.
The term «ecology» was coined by German naturalist Ernst Haeckel in 1866 and in a literal translation from the Greek refers to the science of the house (oikos - a house, dwelling, logos - teaching). Man and nature form a continuous, vital unity. Nature is our common home. As the environment - the natural condition of human existence, and the ability to learn the laws of nature and use them properly - inexhaustible source of its resources. The power of man to do anything to such a relationship was carried out in reasonable proportions. It is now extremely important, especially when a person is actively working on the environment. Even in 1926, аacademician V.I. Vernadsky wrote that "... with the man, no doubt, a new enormous geological force on the surface of our planet." If you do not take today, effective measures can cause irreparable damage to nature, and, consequently, man. Mankind is on the turn, when to go to nature with eyes closed - then continue to make new mistakes, new mistakes for which will need to be calculated and present and future generations. Cases careless, ignorant attitude towards nature. People sometimes good to learn their rights and norms of behavior in society, often forget about their responsibilities. Respectful and caring attitude to nature and all living things on earth should be the personal beliefs, norms of behavior of each individual. In the light of the provisions mentioned, along with the adoption of organizational and disciplining measures for the conservation and improvement of natural resources and the environment, it is necessary to help all segments of the population to understand the basic ecological principles, laws, arising from the interaction of organisms with the environment. Environmental education along with science should be the primary mechanism of solving global problems of civilization and the transition to sustainable development. Ecological literacy is one of the ways of formation of ecological culture. The publication of these texts of lectures, their use in the educational process should contribute to this. Ecology is among the fastest growing disciplines. When teaching this course, students are introduced to new areas, deepen knowledge in areas already known. The texts of lectures fleshed out a number of approaches in the treatment of important environmental issues. Now, when there are changes in the environment planetary scale, the environmental problems of paramount importance, which is reflected in the texts of lectures. The causes and consequences of environmental problems. It is shown that the sharp increase in the level of anthropogenic load on ecosystems, biosphere require the development of natural resource management strategies, state of the environment. Since the late sixties, a movement that Yu. Odum called " general concern about the environment." Since that time, the world community brings into focus the human problems associated with the depletion of natural resources, demographic and environmental problems that threaten the health of people and natural ecosystems, decreasing biodiversity. Already speak not so much of Applied Ecology, contrasting it with the general, but about the global environment, which considers the ecological processes and modern trends biosphere at the global level, the economic relationship with countries with different social systems and different levels of industrial development. There are new terms, such as environmental safety, environmental crisis, ecological disaster, ecological culture and environmental ethics, and many others. On the basis of the classical ecology emerge and develop entirely new areas of knowledge - risk assessment and analysis of human impact on the biosphere, environmental impact assessment, which are purely practical, tying man-made impact on the environment with implications for human health and to minimize damage to natural ecosystems. It should be noted that S.S.Shvarts yet in 1973 urged that the environment that emerged as the study of the relationship " body - Wednesday... our eyes become the theoretical basis of human behavior industrial society in nature." It is now possible to identify a common (classic) environment, a special environment, vlyuchaet special, purely biological topics of ecology, applied ecology, including, in particular, topics such as environmental impact assessment, risk assessment techniques or medical risk and the global environment (Fic. 1).