Who is credited with founding the field of ecology?

Ernst Haeckel is credited with founding the field of ecology due to his significant contributions in the late 19th century. He coined the term "ecology" in 1866, deriving it from the Greek words "oikos," meaning house or environment, and "logos," meaning study. Haeckel's work aimed to understand the relationships between organisms and their surroundings, laying the groundwork for future ecological study by emphasizing the interconnectedness of living organisms and their environment. His contributions helped to establish ecology as a distinct scientific discipline, separate from natural history and other biological sciences, leading to further research and exploration into ecological principles and biodiversity.