Ecology fundamentals — defining the discipline What is the scientific study called that investigates interactions between living organisms and their environment, including both biotic and abiotic factors?

Introduction / Context:
Biological organization spans from molecules to the biosphere. The field that focuses on organisms interacting with each other and with their physical environment is a core branch of biology and environmental science.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the name of a discipline, not a structure or a specific community.
• It involves interactions among living things and their abiotic surroundings.
• Terminology must be precise and widely accepted.

Concept / Approach:

Ecology is the discipline studying distribution, abundance, interactions, and energy/material flows among organisms and between organisms and their environment. An ecosystem is a system (not the discipline) comprising organisms and their physical environment. Phytogeography concerns plant distributions, and photosociology is not a standard modern term for the discipline described.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Standard biology textbooks define ecology exactly this way, subdividing into population, community, ecosystem, and global ecology.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

“Ecosystem” is a system, not a field. “Phytogeography” focuses on plant distribution patterns. “Photosociology” and “Ethology” (animal behavior) do not match the definition.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing the object of study (ecosystem) with the discipline (ecology).

Final Answer:

Ecology