Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships of living organisms with each other and with their environments. It is the science of biological interactions among individuals, populations, and communities. Ecology is also the science of ecosystems—the interrelations of biotic communities with their nonliving environments.These definitions seem simple enough, but their full ramifications for human health and welfare are infinitely complex and by no means fully understood. Too often, environment is still defined in physical terms alone. The biological and social components of the environment of humans and other organisms are often forgotten or relegated to some other academic category for study. Too often, ecology and sociology, like the environmental sciences and the behavioral sciences in general, are treated as separate subjects.
The ecologist is frequently confused with the environmentalist, but in fact many different points of emphasis occur. It is helpful to distinguish between three overlapping points of view: the environmentalist's, the ecologist's, and the humanist's. The environmentalist places primary emphasis on the environment, giving priority to the maintenance of a clean, undisturbed environment. Thus the environmentalist might prefer to leave the oil beneath Alaska' north slope untouched so the wilderness environment can be preserved. The humanist, on the other hand, gives the highest priority to human needs. The humanist would speed the development of Alaska's north slope because of the jobs and economic benefits to be gained. The ecologist would attempt a rational consideration of these viewpoints and might recommend a cost-benefit analysis, so we could accurately weigh the environmental costs against the economic benefits. Like the environmentalists, ecologists would take every reasonable step to protect the environment, but they would not deny the value of practical human concerns.
The message of ecology is one of synthesis and balance; it attempts to put all the pieces in proper perspective. Overlapping with other disciplines—from chemistry to mathematics, and from anthropology to zoology—ecology violates traditional academic and scientific boundaries. It seeks to arrive at an understanding of human populations and their environment through consideration of history, current events, and future prospects; it attempts to join biology and sociology, and to reunite the behavioral and environmental sciences.