Ecology and the Environment Ecology is a scientific study of environmental changes. Changes can be either natural or manmade. Environmental changes influence population growth, rate of succession, climatic conditions, and adaptation process. Our environment includes ourselves and everything around us. We should clearly understand that we are matter as well as products of the interaction of matter and energy.
Matter exists on earth as a solid, liquid or gas.
In space, around celestial bodies, another state is classified as plasma. When changes take place in matter, energy is either lost or gained. Matter may go through a gradual change, like freezing, or a sudden drastic change, like an explosion. Regardless of the type of change, energy is involved. When energy is gained, matter absorbs energy.