Who
are Ecologists?
Ecologists study these relationships
among organisms and habitats of many different sizes, ranging from the study of
microscopic bacteria growing in a fish tank, to the complex interactions
between the thousands of plant, animal, and other communities found in a
desert.
Ecologists also study many kinds of
environments. For example, ecologists may study microbes living in the soil
under your feet or animals and plants in a rain forest or the ocean.
The
Role of Ecology in Our Lives
The many specialties within ecology,
such as marine, vegetation, and statistical ecology, provide us with
information to better understand the world around us. This information also can
help us improve our environment, manage our natural resources, and protect
human health. The following examples illustrate just a few of the ways that
ecological knowledge has positively influenced our lives.
Improving
Our Environment
Pollution from Laundry Detergents
& Fertilizers
In the 1960s, ecological research identified two of the major causes of poor
water quality in lakes and streams-phosphorous and nitrogen-which were found in
large amounts in laundry detergents and fertilizers. Provided with this
information, citizens were able to take the necessary steps to help restore
their communities’ lakes and streams-many of which are once again popular for
fishing and swimming.
