Contents 



Chapter 1 ■ VIEWPOINT OF MODERN ECOLOGY 1 



The Meaning of Ecology 2 



The Meaning of Environment 3 



The Critical Environment 5 



The Development of Ecology 13 



The Ecology of Plants and Animals 13 



The Ecology of Habitats and of Individuals 14 



The Ecology of Populations and of Communities 14 



The Ecological Complex 16 



The Scope of Ecology 18 



Approach to the Study of Ecology 20 



Chapter 2 • THE MEDIUM 23 



Contrasting Qualities of Air and Water 24 



Pressure 27 



Pressure Reduction with Altitude 28 



Pressure Increase with Depth 29 



Support and Resistance to Motion 32 



Effects on Structure and Size 32 



Effects on Locomotion through Medium 34 



Passage of Medium through Organism 35 



Existence of Plankton 36 



Transportation by Medium 42 



Sessile Existence 44 



Distribution by Medium 45 



Transport by Air 45 



Transport by Water 48 



Harmful Transport 52 



Abrasive Action of Medium 53 



Chapter 3 - THE SUBSTRATUM 59 



Significance of the Substratum 59 



Needs Provided by the Substratum 59 



Attainment of the Substratum 60 



Reactions to the Substratum 61 



The Variety of Substrata 62 



Rock, Sand, and Mud in Aquatic Environment 66 



Influence of the Aquatic Substrata 66 



Breakdown of the Substratum 69 



ix 



