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Ecology / Science
The field of ecology is the
scientific study of the relationship between organisms and their environment.
Ecologists study plants, animals, microbes and the role of humans at the levels
of the individual, population, community and the entire ecosystem. The term
ecology is derived from oikos meaning house, and so speaks of our home –
the community of all life of which humans are part. We are utterly dependent
upon this web of life. Ecologists are concerned questions such as: What
fosters biodiversity and reduces invasive species dominance? What characterizes
a healthy ecosystem? How do pollutants affect the growth and reproduction of
organisms? What are the impacts of expected climate changes?
At MEEC, we apply ecological
knowledge to restore the native ecosystems of our prairie, woodland and wetland
and we conduct research to assess how the restorations are proceeding and to
better understand the processes of succession. For example, we are studying
soil formation and species establishment over time on our prairie reclamation
and how the woodland understory develops once honeysuckle is removed. We are
researching best techniques for monitoring and managing these ecosystems so that
we know how best to intervene. We also provide education on these ecosystems
and how humans are impacting our world such as through global warming.
This section further describes these efforts.
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