Ecological economics

An interdisciplinary framework that seeks to merge the two historically separate fields of economics and ecology. It assumes that an inherent link exists between the health of the Earth's ecosystem and the economic system created by human beings; the economy is a subsystem of the earth's ecological system.

Ecological footprint

A term to describe the total ecological impact (the amount of land, food, water, and other resources needed) to sustain a person or organization. This is usually measured in acres or hectares of productive land. It is used to determine relative consumption.

Ecology

A science that studies the Earth and its systems, including the interrelationships of all living things and all elements of their environment. The science was further developed from the work of Ernest Haeckel when investigating 'the study of living things within their environmental work of Ernest Haeckel when investigating.

Ecosystem

A dynamic and interdependent living community of people, parts or mechanisms that interact with one another. The term was coined by Arthur Tansley, a British Ecologist, who said that "ecosystems have the capacity to respond to change without altering the basic characteristics of the system."