the branch of biology concerned with the various relations of animals and plants to one another and to their surrounding environment.

The study of ecosystems. As a science ecology makes no value judgements.

n. (Gr. oikos, house; and -logy Gr. -logia, from legein, to speak) branch of science concerned with the interrelationships of organisms and their environments esp. as manifested by natural cycles and rhythms, community development and structure, interaction between different kinds of organisms, geographic distributions and population alteration.

(4) the study of relationships between organisms and their environment. Ecological developments include the introduction, growth and change in plant and animal inhabitants.