eco-, oeco-, oec-

The study of the interrelationship between an organism’s physical functioning and its environment.

The scientific study of ecosystems and the processes involved in the re-diversification of species: The ecopoiesciences include learning about everything which exists in special environments; such as, plants and animals; as well as, non-living items like rocks, soil, and water.

1. Origin of ecosystems.
2. A type of planetary engineering that can be a major stage of terraformation.

The primary stage of ecosystem creation is usually restricted to the initial seeding of microbial life.

3. A neologism created by Robert Haynes of York University in Toronto, Canada, "the making of an abode for life" and refers to the human creation of a self-sustaining ecosystem, or biosphere, on a lifeless planet.

In the context of space exploration, Haynes described ecopoiesis as the "fabrication of a sustainable ecosystem on a currently lifeless, sterile planet".

An aesthete in the introduction and selective elimination of species within a new or fractured ecology with the end goal of producing a self-sustaining dynamically balanced ecosystem that provides beauty and usefulness to humans.

A microparasite to which the host is normally immune or well adapted.

1. A taxonomic species considered in terms of its ecological characteristics and usually including several interbreeding ecotypes.
2. An index species that is characteristic of a particular biome or ecosystem.

1. In ecology, the earth and the living organisms that inhabit it, along with all the environmental factors that operate on these organisms; biosphere.
2. In astronomy, the region of space around a star that is considered to be capable of supporting life.
3. The region of space, including planets, whose conditions are not incompatible with the existence of living things.

Measurement and transmission of vital information; biotelemetry.

1. The threat to use violent acts that would harm the quality of the environment in order to blackmail a group or society: "Ecoterrorism also includes the actual carrying out of the threats."
2. The sabotage of the activities of individuals or corporations; such as, industrial companies, considered to be polluting or destroying the natural environment.

1. In ecology, a transition zone between two distinct habitats that contains species from each area, as well as organisms unique to it.
2. In anthropology, such an area of transition in which certain game or vegetation overlap; a region of primary importance for human subsistence: An ecotone is a transition area between two adjacent ecological communities or ecosystems and it might appear on the ground as a gradual blending of the two communities across a broad area, or it may manifest itself as a sharp boundary line.

Ecotones are particularly significant for mobile animals, as they can exploit more than one set of habitats within a short distance and this can produce an edge effect along the boundary line, with the area displaying a greater than usual diversity of species.

3. Etymology: from Greek, the word was coined from a combination of eco(logy) + -tone, from Greek tonos or "tension"; in other words, a place where "ecologies are in tension".

A form of tourism that strives to minimize ecological or other damage to areas visited for their natural or cultural interest.

A specialist in the harmful effects of chemicals to the natural environment.

The scientific study of harmful effects caused by manmade chemicals to the natural environment, especially effects on populations, communities, and ecosystems; an essential part of ecotoxicology is the study of the movement of potentially toxic substances through food webs and through the water cycle, etc.

1. Homesick; a strong desire to return to one’s home.
2. In virology, a retrovirus that can replicate only in the host of the species in which it originated.

1. An organism that has adapted to its local environment through minor, genetically induced changes in its physiology; yet can still reproduce with other members of its species from other areas that have not undergone these changes.
2. A locally adapted population of a species with limited tolerance to changes in environmental factors.