When asked to consider the term ecology, I have to look at what that word is defined to be. The dictionary defines it as “the branch of biology which deals with the relationships of organisms with each other and with their physical environment” (online dictionary, 2013). This is a very short definition of something that includes so much once you start thinking about how many things affect an organism's physical environment. To do this, I will focus on energy and chemical cycles, community structure, biodiversity and succession, and how all of these are part of ecology. What role does energy play in ecology? Everything we do requires using energy; therefore, there must be a continuous energy cycle to ensure that functions can continue. When we categorize how things fit into this cycle, we use trophic levels to fit everything. The first trophic is composed of organisms that use solar energy through photosynthesis. Herbivores make up the second trophic level, using plants for energy. Predators make up the third trophic level and gain energy by eating herbivores; Higher trophic levels are possible if there are top predators in the local ecosystem. Terrestrial ecosystems are generally limited to around five trophic levels, whereas marine ecosystems have around seven. Trophic levels are not a one-size-fits-all solution, some species may be classified into multiple trophic levels, for example omnivorous humans may comprise several trophic levels. Energy transfer between these trophic levels is not very efficient, around 10%, making decomposers an important element in the energy flow process. Decomposers, recycling organizations...... the medium of paper ...... is subjected to numerous processes by different bacteria in order to transform it into nitrate, necessary for plant life. The importance of communities in an environment where species do not directly compete with each other but have their own niche in order to create a well-balanced ecosystem. The process of succession where, if the process is not disrupted, it will result in greater diversity and a well-balanced ecosystem, and where succession is going poorly due to invasive species, and what has been carefully designed to through the gradual process of divergence collapses. a few carefree moments. All of these things are amazing in the way they affect and change things, and how they have shaped life into what we have today. These different cycles of ecology are undoubtedly very powerful driving forces for the cycle of life in this world, but easy to alter..