ECOLOGY for Students of Teacher Education and Preschool Education

The textbook Ecology for Students of Teacher Education and Preschool Education is intended for future educators, with the aim of equipping and empowering them to convey ecological knowledge to children. The content of the textbook covers fundamental concepts and principles of ecology, including the history and development of the science, its connections with other disciplines, and the basic ecological categories and levels of organization in nature. Special attention is given to life on Earth, the development of living organisms, biodiversity, and autecology (the study of the effects of abiotic and biotic ecological factors, as well as concepts such as biotopes, habitats, life forms, and ecological niches). The textbook also explores topics in population ecology, biocenology, and ecosystem ecology, and includes coverage of biomes, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as well as aspects of the biosphere. A dedicated section addresses biodiversity, the causes of its vulnerability, and its conservation, along with the relationship between humans and the environment, including anthropogenic impacts and contemporary ecological challenges. Through a comprehensive overview of these topics, future educators acquire foundational theoretical knowledge that will enable them to foster ecological awareness and responsible environmental behavior in children.