ecology

(ĭ-kŏlˈə-jē)

1. a. The science of the relationships between organisms and their environments. Also called bionomics.
   b. The relationship between organisms and their environment.
2. The branch of sociology that is concerned with studying the relationships between human groups and their physical and social environments. Also called human ecology.
3. The study of the detrimental effects of modern civilization on the environment, with a view toward prevention or reversal through conservation. Also called human ecology.

Related Forms:

• ecˌo·logˈi·cal (ĕkˌə-lŏjˈĭ-kəl, ēˌkə-), ecˌo·logˈic (-ĭk) adjective

• ecˌo·logˈi·cal·ly adverb

• e·colˈo·gist noun