Macroecology of plant diversity across spatial scales

From Water to Land

Ecology OverviewEcology is the study of how living things interact with each other and their environment. It helps scientists understand how ecosystems function, from tiny bacteria to vast forests. Studying ecology allows us to explore how energy flows, how species depend on one another, and how humans impact the natural world.Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Developing and Using ModelsScientists use models to study ecosystems and interactions among organisms. These models help...

Ecological OrganizationEcological organization refers to the hierarchical structure of ecosystems, which organizes life from individual organisms to the entire biosphere. The levels of ecological organization include organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere. Each level represents increasing complexity, showcasing how living organisms interact with each other and with their environment to maintain ecological balance.Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Analyzing and...

All organisms have a position within an ecosystem. The complete set of living and nonliving factors—including food resources, climate, and terrain—that define the position of a given organism are collectively referred to as the organism’s ecological niche.

Plant EvolutionPlant evolution explains how plants have changed and adapted over millions of years to survive in different environments. The first plants began as simple aquatic algae. Over time, they evolved features like roots, stems, vascular tissue, and seeds, allowing them to live on land. Each adaptation helped plants spread to new habitats and become more complex. From mosses to ferns to flowering plants, plant evolution shows how life has diversified and how plants support ecosystems...

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.