Forest ecology is a branch of biology that focuses on the study of forest ecosystems. A forest ecosystem includes all the living organisms (like plants, animals, and microorganisms) and the non-living components (like soil, water, and climate) in a forest.

In forest ecology, scientists explore the relationships and interactions between different organisms and their environment within the forest. They investigate how plants grow, compete for sunlight and nutrients, and provide habitat for animals. They also study how animals depend on plants for food and shelter, and how they interact with each other in the forest ecosystem.

Forest ecologists also examine the impact of human activities, like deforestation and pollution, on forest ecosystems. They aim to understand the complex web of relationships in a forest and how disturbances can affect the delicate balance of these ecosystems.