The document provides an overview of ecology, detailing its definition as the study of interactions between organisms and their environments, and its historical evolution from ancient ecological knowledge to modern interdisciplinary practices. Key milestones in the history of ecology are highlighted, including the contributions of figures like Ernst Haeckel and Charles Darwin, as well as the rise of quantitative and systems ecology. The document also notes the increasing awareness of environmental issues and the development of conservation biology in the latter half of the 20th century.