Autecology

A branch of ecology emphasizing the interrelationships among individual members of the same species and their environment . Autecology includes the study of the life history and/or behavior of a particular species in relation to the environmental conditions that influence its activities and distribution. Autecology also includes studies on the tolerance of a species to critical physical factors (e.g., temperature, salinity , oxygen level, light) and biological factors (e.g., predation, symbiosis ) thought to limit its distribution. Such data are gathered from field measurement or from controlled experiments in the laboratory. Autecology contrasts with synecology, the study of interacting groups (i.e., communities) of species.

autecology The study of ecology at the level of the species. An autecological study aims to investigate the ecology of populations or individuals of a particular species, including habitat, distribution, life cycle, etc. This should enable a full description of the ecological niche of the organism to be made. Compare synecology.

autecology The ecology of individual organisms or species, including physiological ecology, animal behaviour, and population dynamics. Usually only one species is studied. Compare SYNECOLOGY; see also POPULATION ECOLOGY.

autecology The ecology of individual organisms and populations, including physiological ecology, animal behaviour, and population dynamics. Usually only one or two species are studied. Compare SYNECOLOGY. See also POPULATION ECOLOGY.

autecology The ecology of individual organisms and populations, including physiological ecology, animal behaviour, and population dynamics. Usually only one or two species are studied. See also population ecology. Compare synecology.