Ecology

Ecology literally means the study of life, and it is an important factor in lots of elements in our lives, from conservation to countering the effects of global warming. You do not need a degree or high flying qualifications in order to be interested in ecology and to make a difference to a cause, just a good knowledge of the facts and a lot of determination. The sad fact is that many politicians and people in power most of the time do not take ecological concerns anywhere near as seriously as they should, which means that getting them to take interest in such concerns can be very difficult. It is worth getting their attention, however, as they are the most likely to make an impact on a problem, due to their influence and monetary value.

The study of ecology has helped us to understand not only the world around us, but also the things that live in it. Our ideas of evolution came from one of the most prolific ecologists - Charles Darwin - whose discoveries and experiments have proven to be vital in our understanding of certain ecological processes and mechanisms. Ecology itself is more concerned with physiology, genetics and behaviour than environment, and this is a common misconception that people make. Many people think that it relates to environmentalism and natural history, but this is not usually the case, as it is more interested in biodiversity and how it affects an ecosystem, as opposed to the landscape or any other structure.