Question

Who among the following coined the term of "Oekology"?

• A. E. P. Odum
• B. Arne Naess
• C. A. G. Tansley
• D. Ernst Haeckel

Hint:

Associate key terms with their originators: Haeckel$\rightarrow$Ecology, Tansley$\rightarrow$Ecosystem, Naess$\rightarrow$Deep Ecology. This helps distinguish between the foundational contributions of different scientists.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks to identify the person who first coined the term for the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The German biologist and naturalist Ernst Haeckel coined the term "Oekologie" in 1866. The word is derived from the Greek words "oikos" (meaning house or dwelling) and "logos" (meaning study). It was later anglicized to "Ecology".
The other individuals are also important ecologists:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{E. P. Odum is considered a founder of modern ecosystem ecology.} \\ \bullet & \text{Arne Naess was a Norwegian philosopher who coined the term "Deep Ecology".} \\ \bullet & \text{A. G. Tansley was a British botanist who introduced the concept of the "ecosystem" in 1935.} \\ \end{array}\]

Step 4: Final Answer:
The term "Oekology" was coined by Ernst Haeckel.