Nutritional Ecology

Nutritional ecology studies how animals and plants obtain, use, and prioritize nutrients within their environments. It explores how organisms select their food sources based on nutrient needs, availability, and energy efficiency, and how these choices influence their health, behavior, and survival. This field considers interactions between species, environmental factors, and evolutionary processes that shape dietary strategies. Essentially, nutritional ecology helps us understand the complex relationship between organisms and their nourishment, revealing how dietary adaptations support thriving in diverse ecosystems.