What Do Ecologists Think about Ecology?

Standardized (in the form of a questionnaire) survey of Russian biologists engaged in ecological research about the content and objectives of ecology as a science was conducted. A rather vague and contradictory view of the vast majority of scientists about what ecology is revealed. They include a wide range of issues in the field of ecology, up to the study of the environment as a whole. At the same time, the vast majority of respondents consider ecology as a fundamental biological discipline, the terminology of which is not applicable to any other phenomena and processes other than biological ones. Respondents also note as a negative phenomenon the lack of clear boundaries between ecology and other, in particular, applied disciplines. At the same time, the expressed desire of specialists to link ecology with the tasks of environmental protection, with which, in their opinion, it should deal along with theoretical aspects, is clearly noticeable. Many biologists mention such problems of environmental research as insufficient funding, as well as the low level of education of specialists. The results of the survey indicate that there is a very high risk of further "dis-biologization" of ecology, that is, its complete transformation into a non-biological science with uncertain content. The reasons for the broad interpretation of the subject of ecology are briefly considered and recommendations are given for overcoming its negative consequences.