Q. Ecological Anthropology - (2014 - 10M) 

Ecological anthropology is a subfield of anthropology that focuses on the relationship between humans and their environment. It seeks to understand how human societies interact with and adapt to their ecological surroundings, and how these interactions shape culture, social organization, and human behavior. 

Ecological anthropology combines insights from anthropology, ecology, and other disciplines to study the complex interconnections between humans and their ecosystems. 

Key Concepts in Ecological Anthropology: 

1) Human-Environment Interaction: Ecological anthropologists examine how human societies use, modify, and perceive their natural surroundings. They explore how cultural beliefs, practices, and economic systems influence resource use, land management, and environmental decision-making. 

2) Ethnoecology: Ethnoecology is a core concept in ecological anthropology, focusing on local ecological knowledge and the ways in which different cultures understand and interact with their environment. It involves studying indigenous or traditional ecological knowledge systems, including traditional resource management practices, ecological classifications, and ethno-botanical knowledge. 

3) Adaptation and Resilience: Ecological anthropology investigates how human populations adapt to their environments and cope with environmental change. This includes studying traditional ecological knowledge, technological innovations, social institutions, and cultural practices that enable communities to thrive in challenging ecological conditions. 

4) Political Ecology: Political ecology is an interdisciplinary framework often used in ecological anthropology. It analyzes the political and economic factors that shape access to resources, land use, and environmental decision-making. Political ecology studies power dynamics, conflicts, and inequalities related to environmental issues, such as resource extraction, conservation efforts, and environmental justice. 

5) Landscape and Place: Ecological anthropologists study the cultural meanings and social construction of landscapes and places. They examine how cultural practices, rituals, and narratives shape human perceptions and interactions with the environment. This approach recognizes that landscapes are not only physical spaces but are also culturally and symbolically significant. 

6) Sustainability and Conservation: Ecological anthropology addresses issues of environmental sustainability and conservation. It explores strategies for sustainable resource management, community-based conservation efforts, and the social impacts of conservation initiatives on local communities. 

7) Anthropocene and Environmental Change: Ecological anthropology is concerned with understanding the impact of human activities on the environment, particularly in the context of the Anthropocene—a proposed geological epoch characterized by significant human influence on Earth's ecosystems. Researchers examine the social, cultural, and ecological consequences of phenomena such as climate change, deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss. 

Ecological anthropology encompasses a broad range of research methods, including participant observation, interviews, surveys, archival research, remote sensing, and ecological data analysis. 

By integrating ecological and anthropological perspectives, this field seeks to inform sustainable practices, contribute to environmental policy-making, and foster a holistic understanding of human-environment dynamics.