How is ecology defined?

Ecology is defined as the study of interactions between living organisms and their environment. This includes not only the relationships organisms have with each other but also how they interact with the physical aspects of their surroundings, such as climate, soil, water, and other non-living components of the ecosystem. Understanding these interactions is crucial for studying ecosystems and the biodiversity within them, as they shape community structures, food webs, and energy flow within a habitat.

The focus on relationships emphasizes the complexity of interactions, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis, and how these dynamics affect both individual species and entire ecosystems. By approaching ecology through this lens, it allows for a comprehensive understanding of how ecosystems function and how human activities may impact them.