Ecology And Environment

At first glance one may assume that ecology and environment are one and the same.  However, ecology and environment are actually two different things.  Ecology is a branch of Biology that studies living organisms and their relationship with other living organisms in their environment.  The environment is the surrounding filled with living and non-living things where settings and conditions affect all that are present there.

Ecology can be studied in an environment.  This science focuses on how organisms grow and adapt based on what they are surrounded by.

Ecology and environment are prominent in human society.  When a couple looks for a place to live to start a family, they take note of the kind of people that inhabit the area where they plan to stay.  They see what businesses are nearby so that they could become familiar with the places where they could buy items like groceries and home furnishings, or where they could seek medical attention, spiritual nourishment, a good education for their children, repair and maintain personal effects, hang out with relatives and friends, and other needs to live comfortably.  They would study the transportation system in and around the community to determine the best way from their potential home to their work, the store, or the nearest freeway exit ramp and vice-versa.

On a smaller scale, ecology and environment shape the people in the community.  Students learn from what they are taught by their teachers, how they interact with their peers, and what is present on their campus.  Their personalities, manner of speech or dress, hobbies and sports, and interests are mostly influenced by what is deemed acceptable or taboo by the majority as well as the climate in their place of residence.   The same could be said when we speak of other institutions where people gather such as a place of worship, a regular club meeting, or a seasonal carnival.

Wherever there is a group, ecology and environment help determine its future course in the scheme of things.