Ekoloogia

Ekoloogia is the scientific study of the relationships between organisms and their environment, including the physical, chemical, and biological components of ecosystems and how these interactions shape where organisms occur, how abundant they are, and how ecosystems function. The term is the Estonian form of ecology, derived from Greek oikos (house) and logos (study). Ecological study spans from individual organisms to populations, communities, and landscapes, and it encompasses energy flow, matter cycling, population dynamics, species interactions, succession, and ecosystem resilience.

Researchers use field observations, experiments, and modelling, supported by modern tools such as remote sensing and geographic information systems. Subfields include population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, landscape ecology, conservation ecology, restoration ecology, and theoretical ecology.

Applications of ecological knowledge include biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, habitat restoration, and policy guidance on climate change adaptation and mitigation, land-use planning, and sustainable development. The discipline has a long history, with early naturalists noting organism–environment relationships; the German term oekologie was popularized in the 19th century by Ernst Haeckel, and the English term ecosystem was introduced in the 20th century by Arthur Tansley.

Current challenges involve biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and climate change, as well as the need for interdisciplinary approaches and scalable solutions. Ekoloogia provides a framework for understanding the living world and informing actions that support ecological integrity and human well-being in a changing environment.