Final answer:
The study of how phosphorous run-off affects Everglades habitats is an example of ecosystem ecology, as it involves interactions of biotic and abiotic components within an ecosystem.option d is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Levels of Ecological Study
An investigation of how phosphorous run-off from agricultural fields affects numbers of different species of plants and animals in Everglades habitats would be considered ecosystem ecology. Ecosystem ecology involves studying living species and their interactions within an ecosystem, as well as the nonliving components of the environment such as air, water, and soil.
This level of ecology extends beyond individual organisms and populations to include the dynamics between organisms, their communities, and the environment. The Everglades study encompasses all of these components by examining how an external factor, like agricultural run-off, influences the ecosystem as a whole.
Since the phosphorous run-off can affect both the biotic (living plants and animals) and abiotic (soil and water chemistry) aspects of the Everglades, it falls under ecosystem ecology. This field focuses on understanding the flows of energy and nutrients such as phosphorus and how they impact various organisms and their habitats within the Everglades