An ecologist studies the interactions between organisms and their past, present and future environments. This information helps solve environmental problems such as habitat damage and loss, species extinction, global climate change, deforestation, and ozone layer depletion. Mysteries surrounding the spread of diseases such as Hanta virus and Lyme disease have been unraveled by ecologists. Other studies concern natural disturbances such as fire, drought, flooding, and insect outbreaks.
Ecologists also study the flow of energy and the cycling of nutrients.
One example of an evolutionary study is the interaction between some flowering plants and their insect pollinators. Ecology includes the physiological response of individuals, population structures and dynamics, interactions among species of plants and animals, community organization, and ecosystem and landscape ecology. There are also theoretical and statistical ecologists. Good ecologists are curious about the past and inspired by visions of the future. They are capable of critical thinking and develop their observation skills.