Which Experiment Would Not Be Considered an Ecological Study

Question

Which experiment would not be considered an ecological study?
A) the effect of a housing development on a spotted salamander population in a vernal pool
B) the effect of changing availability of acorns on a population of squirrels
C) the effect of a red tide outbreak on sea birds in the area
D) the effect of a hormone on the rate of blood vessel formation

Accepted Answer

An ecological study typically focuses on interactions between organisms and their environment, while the effect of a hormone on blood vessel formation falls more within the realm of physiology or molecular biology. A, B, and C would all be considered ecological studies because they involve examining the impact of a specific factor on populations of organisms living in their natural habitats.