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What is Ecology?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ecology is a branch of biology which is focused on the examination of living organisms in the natural environment. Ecologists look at how organisms interact with the environment and each other, and they study the complex and interconnected systems which influence life on Earth. Ecology is also sometimes known as environmental biology, and there are a number of subdisciplines within this branch of the sciences which deal with specific topics of interest, such as the relationship between humans and the natural environment.

Researchers in ecology can study individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. At each level, there are more things to learn about. The natural environment is usually heavily interconnected; researchers can focus on a single population of plants or animals, for example, and find much fodder for study, ranging from how that population shapes the physical environment to how other organisms interact with it. For example, ruminant populations can create paths and watering holes, shaping the land, and they can also influence plant populations by eating some plant species, leaving others alone, and excreting seeds which plants can use to spread themselves.

An ecologist studies how organisms interact with the environment.
An ecologist studies how organisms interact with the environment.

In the 20th century, ecologists became especially interested in human activities which had a deleterious effect on the environment, recognizing that humans could have a tremendous and not always beneficial influence on nature. For example, dumping pollutants into a river can cause a variety of changes in nature, just as paving over a wetland can eliminate a habitat and put stress on the animals and plants which are used to living there.

Some ecologists study the relationship between humans and nature.
Some ecologists study the relationship between humans and nature.

Ecologists are often interested in looking at entire ecosystems, and studying all of the organisms which live in them and influence them. Each ecosystem hosts unique plant and animal species which have adapted to the environment and each other, and studying this can provide scientists with information about the history of that ecosystem, and the evolutionary roots of the animals which live there. Ecology can also be studied in urban environments.

Ecology is sometimes known as environmental biology.
Ecology is sometimes known as environmental biology.

The study of ecology is not limited to the terrestrial environment; marine environments, lakes, and streams can also provide a great deal of food for thought and inspiration for study. The marine environment in particular is not very well understood, with researchers constantly finding that there is more to learn about the ocean, the creatures which live there, and its underlying geography and geology. For example, for centuries people assumed that the bottom of the ocean was inactive and bleak, but in the 20th century, researchers discovered areas of biological activity around hydrothermal vents, with organisms which had adapted to the dark, high pressure, low oxygen environment of the deep sea.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Babalaas

@ Glasshouse- Sadly the ecological impact of human development is leading to the extinction of the world's amphibians. In fact, in 2009 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature stated that 30 percent of the world's (let me repeat: the World's) amphibian species are at high risk of extinction. Can you imagine if 30 percent of all mammals were at critical danger of extinction?

Amphibians are the most sensitive to environmental stressors, making them a sort of canary in the mine for the rest of the planet's biodiversity. As go the world's amphibians, so go the rest of the world's species.

Glasshouse

I recently watched a show about the aquatic ecology of an area in Northern Japan. The show featured an animal that has to be the most hideous looking thing on the planet, a Japanese Giant Salamander. These salamanders can grow up to five feet long, and they are viscous.

As gross looking as they are, their plight is sad. The species is barely hanging on, being affected mostly by the damming of rivers and human encroachment on their habitat. It was an interesting show on a very interesting animal.

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    • An ecologist studies how organisms interact with the environment.
      By: Elenathewise
      An ecologist studies how organisms interact with the environment.
    • Some ecologists study the relationship between humans and nature.
      By: mirpic
      Some ecologists study the relationship between humans and nature.
    • Ecology is sometimes known as environmental biology.
      By: eliaskordelakos
      Ecology is sometimes known as environmental biology.
    • Ecologists may study the plants and animals in a particular forest.
      By: SophySweden
      Ecologists may study the plants and animals in a particular forest.