What field of study investigates the interactions among organisms and their environments?

Ecology is the field of study that focuses on the interactions among organisms and their environments. It examines how living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, interact with one another and with their physical surroundings. This includes studying various ecosystems, biodiversity, energy flow, and nutrient cycling, which are crucial for understanding the dynamics of natural systems and the impact of environmental changes.

Ecologists explore relationships at different levels, such as individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. This holistic approach allows ecologists to gain insights into the effects of human activities on the environment, species conservation, and the sustainability of resources.

In contrast, botany is primarily concerned with the study of plants, genetics focuses on heredity and variation in organisms, and molecular biology studies biological processes at a molecular level, including the structure and function of DNA, RNA, and proteins. While these latter fields contribute valuable knowledge about life sciences, they do not specifically address the broader interactions between organisms and their environment, which is the core of ecology.