Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their physical environment. These interactions are studied throughout levels ranging from single species, populations, communities, ecosystems, to the interactions of all ecosystems within the biosphere.

In other words, ecology attempts to comprehend how these interactions give rise to the diversity, distribution, biomass, and abundance of organisms which exist on an individual to species level.

Additionally, an important and relevant extension of this field incorporates both biotic and abiotic environmental impacts at every scale. Therefore, the study or practice of ecology can include all organisms or ecosystems.