Q1. Write an account on the history of Ecology.
- Ernst Haeckel coined 'Oecologie' in 1866, defining it as the study of the economy of nature.
- Ancient Greeks like Aristotle and Theophrastus made early ecological observations on organisms and environments.
- Alexander von Humboldt's plant geography linked species distribution to climate and environmental factors.
- Charles Darwin's natural selection theory provided foundational principles for ecological concepts like competition and adaptation.
Answer: The history of Ecology, as a formal scientific discipline, is relatively young, though its roots can be traced back to ancient observations of natural phenomena. The term 'Ecology' itself was coined much later, signifying a shift from simple description to systematic study of interrelationships. Early philosophical and natural historical inquiries laid the groundwork. Ancient Greek thinkers like Hippocrates recognized environmental influences on health, while Aristotle and his student Theophras...