Ecology

Explore the interactions between organisms and their environment through interactive simulations

What is Ecology?

Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment, as well as the interactions among organisms themselves. It examines how living things are distributed, how they behave, and how they affect and are affected by their physical and biological surroundings.

Ecology operates at multiple levels, from individual organisms to populations, communities, ecosystems, and the entire biosphere. It integrates principles from biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences to understand complex environmental systems and the flow of energy and materials through them.

Ecosystems Biosphere Nutrient Cycling Population Dynamics Biodiversity

Conservation Biology

Ecological principles guide species protection, habitat restoration, and biodiversity conservation efforts worldwide.

Habitat Protection Endangered Species Ecosystem Restoration

Designing protected area networks and wildlife corridors
Managing invasive species and controlling their spread
Restoring degraded ecosystems and wetlands
Developing sustainable harvesting practices
Monitoring biodiversity and ecosystem health

Climate Change Research

Ecology informs understanding of climate impacts, adaptation strategies, and mitigation approaches.

Global Warming Range Shifts Carbon Sequestration

Predicting species distribution changes under future climates
Assessing ecosystem vulnerability and resilience
Developing climate adaptation strategies for conservation
Understanding feedback loops in carbon and water cycles
Evaluating renewable energy impacts on ecosystems

Ecology Topics

Explore fundamental and advanced concepts in ecology

Basic Ecology Topics

Ecosystems

Learn about ecosystem structure, function, energy flow, and the interactions between biotic and abiotic components.

Energy Flow Nutrient Cycling Food Webs

Population Dynamics

Study population growth, regulation, density dependence, and demographic patterns in ecological communities.

Growth Models Carrying Capacity Life Tables

Community Interactions

Understand species interactions including predation, competition, mutualism, and commensalism.

Predation Competition Mutualism

Biogeochemical Cycles

Explore the movement of elements and compounds between living organisms and the environment.

Carbon Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Water Cycle

Biodiversity

Study the variety of life forms, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity across the planet.

Species Richness Genetic Diversity Ecosystem Diversity

Conservation Biology

Learn principles and practices for protecting biodiversity and managing natural resources sustainably.

Protected Areas Endangered Species Sustainable Practices

Advanced Ecology Topics

Landscape Ecology

Examine spatial patterns, connectivity, and the effects of landscape structure on ecological processes.

Habitat Connectivity Wildlife Corridors Fragmentation

Ecological Modeling

Use mathematical models and computational tools to predict ecological dynamics and interactions.

Population Models Simulations Algorithms

Climate Change Ecology

Investigate the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, species distributions, and ecological processes.

Global Warming Range Shifts Adaptation

Urban Ecology

Study ecological processes in urban environments and the interactions between cities and nature.

Green Infrastructure Pollution Effects Urban Sustainability

Microbial Ecology

Explore the ecology of microorganisms and their roles in ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycles.

Microbiomes Decomposition Symbiosis

Global Ecology

In-depth analysis of large-scale ecological patterns, biogeography, and Earth system processes.

Biomes Biogeography Earth Systems