Applied ecology is a sub-field within ecology that considers the application of the science of ecology to real-world (usually management) questions. It is also described as a scientific field that focuses on the application of concepts, theories, models, or methods of fundamental ecology to environmental problems. Applied ecology typically focuses on geomorphology, soils, and plant communities as the underpinnings for vegetation and wildlife (both game and non-game) management.
Applied ecology includes all disciplines that are related to human activities so that it does not only cover agriculture, forestry and fisheries but also global change. It has two study categories. The first involves the outputs or those fields that address the use and management of the environment, particularly for its ecosystem services and exploitable resources. It often uses an ecological approach to solve problems of specific parts of the environment, which can involve the comparison of plausible options (e.g. best management options).
Approaches
Applied ecologists often use one or more of the following approaches, namely, observation, experimentation, and modeling. For example, a wildlife preservation project could involve: observational studies of the wildlife ecology; experiments to understand causal relationships; and the application of modeling to determine the information beyond the scope of experimentation.
Like those used in ecological theory, many areas of the discipline employ approaches that are based on simple statistical and analytic models (e.g. spatial models) as well as those with mathematical properties (e.g. matrix models). There is also the digital computer simulation modeling, which is designed to solve statistical ecology problems and to achieve bioeconomic goals such as the forecasting and the evaluation of consequences for specific activities.
Applied ecology also requires human interest, particularly the exercise of judgments of relative values and goals.
Applications
Applied ecology can be applied to the economic development process. The discipline, for example, can be integrated into the national economic planning to comprehensively address environmental concerns since these problems are intersectoral and interdisciplinary in nature.
Aspects of applied ecology include:
thumb|[[Yellow star thistle is an invasive species in Yosemite National Park.]]
- Agro-ecosystem management
- Biodiversity conservation
- Biotechnology
- Conservation biology
- Disturbance management
- Ecosystem restoration
- Environmental engineering
- Environmental technology
- Habitat management
- Invasive species management
- Landscape use (including development planning)
- Protected areas management
- Rangeland management
- Restoration ecology
- Wildlife management (including game)
Major journals in the field include:
- Journal of Applied Ecology
- Ecological Applications
- Applied Ecology and Environmental Research
Related organizations include:
- Ecological Society of America (The Americas)
- Society for Ecological Restoration (Global)
- Institute for Applied Ecology (USA)
- Kazakh Agency of Applied Ecology
- Öko-Institut (Institute for Applied Ecology) (in Germany)
See also
- Holistic management
- Natural environment
- Natural resource
- Nature
- Environmental impact design
- Landscape planning