Communication within science 4. Synecology and autecology 4. B. Questions asked by basic ecologists C. Questions asked by applied ecologists D. Perspectives 1. Biosystems, an ecological perspective See lecture notes A. System science and biosystems 1. B. Unique characteristics of living systems 1.
Living systems have a unique hierarchy of biological levels.
The ability to reproduce is a unique characteristic of living systems. Although cells reproduce, multicellular organisms have a finite life. The most lasting analysis of the importance of biological systems is reproduction, this ability to produce progeny that can also reproduce is called fitness . Reproduction is a conservative but not perfect information transfer between generations. The population of individuals and their reproductives that form a population contains more genetic and ecological characteristics than can be found in any one individual.