<human>:  How ecology affects the environment?
<bot>: Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment. It focuses on the flow of energy, the cycling of materials, and interactions between and among living and nonliving components. Ecology examines how these components impact the environment, from local to global scales. It explores how changing conditions affect the health and productivity of ecosystems, and how organisms may be better adapted to their environment. Understanding ecology helps us to better understand how our actions can directly or indirectly affect the environment, which can lead to solutions that promote a better balance between the two.