ecological

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ecological" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the interactions between living things and their environment, or the study of that interaction. For example, "The ecological balance of this ecosystem has been disrupted due to human activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She compared their evolutionary radiations – or how species adapt to and fill ecological niches – to famous examples like Darwin's finches in the Galapagos or the cichlids of East Africa's lakes.

The Guardian

This structure has every right to exist in a free market, but is now creating ecological disaster from which governments alone have benefited.

The Guardian - Tech

If these windows into the future become a reality, then Australia can look forward to an ecological disaster while developing a new multi-cent tourism industry derived from slime gazing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Channel 4, and the rest of the industry, will be waiting to see whether the new government wants to protect or disrupt that ecological balance.

The Guardian

The authors say the stability of the global atmosphere now depends on whether governments in the region choose to adopt policies that ensure the ecological integrity of indigenous territories and protected areas.

The Guardian

And, anyway, assuming that an individual has the modal characteristics of the place they live in or the school they attended is a blatant example of the ecological fallacy in logic.

The Guardian

Jon Erickson, professor of ecological economics at University of Vermont, says that because of its comprehensive nature, GPI can help agencies work together – as opposed to pulling in different directions – and can represent scenarios that show impacts on multiple dimensions.

The Guardian

Both are part of a larger ecological crisis brought on by industrial overreaching.

The Guardian - Tech

All the governmental destruction of privacy that has been placed atop the larger ecological disaster created by industry, all of this spying is wartime stuff.

The Guardian - Tech

"We are confident the Kintyre project can be constructed, operated and closed in a way which maintains the ecological functions and environmental values in the area and will ensure all regulatory conditions are met," Reilly said.

The Guardian

Conservationists say there is no ecological reason for this wipeout – no habitat loss, no food shortages, no killer disease – only a conflict of interest between a lucrative business and one of our most impressive predators.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Using "ecological" helps to convey a sense of interconnectedness and complexity when discussing environmental impacts.

Common error

Avoid using "ecological" interchangeably with general environmental terms. "Ecological" specifically refers to the relationships between organisms and their surroundings. For example, instead of saying "environmental balance", which is vague, use "ecological balance" to highlight the interactions between species and their habitat.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "ecological" functions primarily to describe something as related to ecology or the interrelationships of organisms and their environment. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage in various contexts, emphasizing its role in specifying the nature or impact on ecosystems, as shown in examples like "ecological disaster" or "ecological balance."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ecological" is an adjective used to describe something related to the interrelationships of organisms and their environment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread use. The term is most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "ecological", ensure you're specifically referring to the science of ecology or the interactions within ecosystems, avoiding confusion with broader "environmental" terms. Alternatives include "environmentally friendly" and "sustainable", offering nuanced ways to convey environmental interaction and sustainability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

environmental

A broader term encompassing all aspects of the environment, not just living organisms.

environmentally friendly

Highlights the characteristic of being beneficial to the environment.

eco-friendly

A shorter, more casual way to describe something that is not harmful to the environment.

environmentally sound

Focuses specifically on the benign impact on the environment, emphasizing lack of harm.

sustainable

Emphasizes the ability to maintain ecological balance over time.

green

A broad term referring to practices or products that aim to benefit the environment.

conservationist

Focuses on preserving natural resources and wildlife.

natural

Highlights the origin from nature, not necessarily implying environmental benefit.

biological

Relates to living organisms and their processes, focusing on life sciences.

biotic

Relates to or results from living things, narrower than "ecological".

FAQs

How is "ecological" used in a sentence?

The term "ecological" is used to describe something related to the relationship between living organisms and their environment. For example, "The new policy aims to reduce the company's "ecological footprint"".

What's the difference between "ecological" and "environmental"?

"Ecological" specifically relates to the relationships between living organisms and their environment, while "environmental" is a broader term encompassing all aspects of the environment, including physical, chemical, and other natural resources. "Environmental impact" can include factors beyond living organisms.

What are some alternatives to "ecological"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "environmentally friendly", "sustainable", or "green". Each of these carries a slightly different nuance related to environmental impact and sustainability.

Is "ecological" the same as "eco-friendly"?

While often used interchangeably, "ecological" refers to the science of ecology and the relationships within ecosystems, whereas "eco-friendly" generally describes products or practices that minimize harm to the environment. Therefore, something can be eco-friendly without necessarily being directly related to ecological science.