Ecology is the study of the interactions between living organisms and their environment. It involves studying both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components. Biotic components include plants, animals, and microorganisms, while abiotic components include light, water, soil, and climate. Ecology views each environment as an integrated system composed of interdependent parts. Environments can be studied at different levels of organization from the biosphere down to individual organisms.