<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The frequently used term <italic>ecology</italic> is currently interpreted in various ways. This scientific discipline has undergone relatively dynamic development since its inception, and its character is still widening and changing. Therefore, in this contribution we attempt to briefly summarize the subject and contents of current ecology, as well as to propose its more systemic and comprehensive definition. We try to enhance its present definitions especially by putting emphasis on the dynamics of nature (the dynamics of natural processes). We define current ecology as the science dealing with the structure, dynamics and functions of nature including evolution, where structure involves the distribution and abundance of individual organisms, habitats and ecosystems; dynamics include all the aspects of their life trajectories and cycles, including growth, development, reproduction or renewal, interactions and their changes, the cycling of matter, flows of energy and information and their transformations; and functions involve the properties, traits and niches of individual organisms and species in an ecosystem, as well as the properties and niches of ecosystems in the landscape, ecoregion or in the whole Earth system.</p>
</abstract>

The frequently used term ecology is currently interpreted in various ways. This scientific discipline has undergone relatively dynamic development since its inception, and its character is still widening and changing. Therefore, in this contribution we attempt to briefly summarize the subject and contents of current ecology, as well as to propose its more systemic and comprehensive definition. We try to enhance its present definitions especially by putting emphasis on the dynamics of nature (the dynamics of natural processes). We define current ecology as the science dealing with the structure, dynamics and functions of nature including evolution, where structure involves the distribution and abundance of individual organisms, habitats and ecosystems; dynamics include all the aspects of their life trajectories and cycles, including growth, development, reproduction or renewal, interactions and their changes, the cycling of matter, flows of energy and information and their transformations; and functions involve the properties, traits and niches of individual organisms and species in an ecosystem, as well as the properties and niches of ecosystems in the landscape, ecoregion or in the whole Earth system.

How to define ecology on the basis of its current understanding?

Folia Oecologica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"How to define ecology on the basis of its current understanding?"}

The frequently used term ecology is currently interpreted in various ways. This scientific discipline has undergone relatively dynamic development since its...

How to define ecology on the basis of its current understanding?

Published Online: Mar 01, 2021

Page range: 1 - 8

Received: Jun 10, 2020

Accepted: Nov 18, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2021-0001

Keywords
dynamics of natural processes, ecological integrity, ecology, ecosystem structure, functions of nature

© 2021 Peter Urban et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to define ecology on the basis of its current understanding?

Published Online: Mar 01, 2021

Page range: 1 - 8

Received: Jun 10, 2020

Accepted: Nov 18, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2021-0001

Keywordsdynamics of natural processes, ecological integrity, ecology, ecosystem structure, functions of nature

© 2021 Peter Urban et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
dynamics of natural processes, ecological integrity, ecology, ecosystem structure, functions of nature