Evolutionary ecology is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles from evolutionary biology and ecology. It focuses on understanding how ecological processes, such as resource availability, competition, predation, and environmental changes, shape the evolution of organisms, and how evolutionary changes, in turn, affect ecological interactions and community dynamics.

In evolutionary ecology, researchers study a wide range of topics, including the evolution of life history strategies, population dynamics, species interactions, and the effects of environmental changes on the evolution of organisms. By investigating how organisms respond to changing ecological conditions, scientists gain insights into the factors driving biodiversity and the maintenance of ecosystems.

For example, evolutionary ecologists may analyse how a prey species evolves defensive adaptations in response to predation pressure, or how a plant species evolves reproductive strategies to optimize pollination in a given habitat. They also investigate how human-induced changes in the environment, such as habitat destruction or climate change, shape the evolution of species and impact their abilities to survive and reproduce.

By studying the interplay between ecology and evolution, evolutionary ecologists contribute to our understanding of the diversity and dynamics of life on Earth, as well as providing valuable insights for conservation and the management of ecosystems.