The science of ecology, often inaccurately referred to as biology in a narrow sense, has thus far formed the principle component of what is commonly referred to as Natural History . As is well shown by the numerous popular natural histories of both early and modern times, this subject has developed in the most close relations with systematic zoology. Ecology concerns itself with the interrelationships of living organisms, plant or animal, and their environment. These are studied with a view to discovering the principles which govern the relationships.
Ecology is an multidisciplinary science.
It is indeed a major problem for the ecologist, in his own interest, to set bounds to his divagations. Animal Ecology - Heterotrophs 2. Plant Ecology - Autotrophs 3. Population Ecology - deals with population growth, regulation, structure 9. Physiological Ecology - how organisms respond and adjust physiologically to the physical factors of the environment 12.