ecologically
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌɛkəlˈɒdʒɪkli/
US
- /ɛkəˈlɑdʒɪkli/
- /ikəˈlɑdʒɪkli/
Description
- relating to ecosystems
- environmentally
- nature-focused
- in balance with nature
When we use the word "ecologically," we are looking at the world through the lens of ecosystems, where living things and their surroundings affect one another. Imagine a forest where trees, animals, water, and soil all depend on each other. If a forest is managed "ecologically," the people in charge are making choices that protect those natural links. It is more than just another way to say "green"; it describes doing something in a way that respects the balance of the natural world. Whether we are talking about farming, building, or city planning, doing it ecologically means thinking about the long-term health of the environment.
The word "ecologically" is the adverb form of "ecology," the study of how living things interact with one another and with their physical surroundings. So when something is described "ecologically," it is being considered in terms of those connected relationships.
The term is often used when people talk about sustainability and environmental responsibility. For instance, a farmer might manage crops ecologically by using natural predators to control pests instead of depending on harsh chemicals. This helps protect the variety of life on the land. In the same way, an architect might design a building ecologically by collecting rainwater or using solar energy to reduce harm to the surrounding area.
The word is also important in science when we talk about the role a species plays in nature. For example, sea otters are ecologically important because they help stop sea urchins from destroying kelp forests. The word lets us explain how one part of nature affects the whole system. In the end, "ecologically" reminds us that actions in nature are connected, and that one change can have effects far beyond a single place or moment.
Examples
- 1
Protected land
This wetland is ecologically sensitive, so building there is tightly controlled.
- 2
Sustainable housing
The city wants new housing to be both affordable and ecologically sustainable.
- 3
Natural systems
The forest and the river are ecologically linked, so damage to one affects the other.
Phrase
ecologically linked
connected as part of the same natural system
- 4
Environmental harm
Burning the waste would be cheaper, but it would be ecologically harmful.
- 5
Planning judgment
The plan looked practical at first, but ecologically it made very little sense.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- ecologicallyadverb