The correct answer is option 1: Ecology. Ecology is the study of organisms and their interactions with each other and their surroundings. It focuses on understanding how organisms adapt to their environment and how they affect their environment. This includes studying population dynamics, community interactions, and the flow of energy and nutrients within ecosystems. Ecology is a broad field that encompasses both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and can involve studying diverse organisms, from microbes to plants to animals. It is an interdisciplinary science that combines elements of biology, chemistry, geology, and physics to understand the complex relationships between organisms and their environment. It plays a crucial role in informing conservation efforts and understanding the impact of human activities on ecosystems.