What is the primary focus of ecology?

The primary focus of ecology is indeed how organisms interact with one another and their environment. Ecology is the branch of biology that studies the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. This discipline examines various interactions, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis among organisms, as well as the impact of these interactions on ecosystem dynamics. It encompasses both biotic factors, which are related to living organisms, and abiotic factors, such as climate, soil, and water, that influence the distribution, abundance, and behavior of organisms.

In contrast to other options, which touch on specific aspects of environmental science or pollution, the essence of ecology is rooted in understanding the complex web of relationships within ecosystems. For example, while the study of physical and chemical factors in water is important, it is specifically a part of limnology or aquatic ecology rather than the broader field of ecology itself. Furthermore, focusing solely on interactions with unnatural environments or purely environmental pollution would narrow the scope of ecological studies and not encompass the full array of interactions that occur in natural ecosystems.