Final answer:
Modern ecological research uses both controlled experimentation and holistic ecosystem studies, integrating them for a comprehensive understanding of ecosystems. Conservation biology exemplifies the multidisciplinary nature of ecology, incorporating various scientific techniques to address conservation issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scientists use various approaches when conducting modern ecological research to understand how ecosystems function and interact. The basic approaches include experimentation, where scientists manipulate variables within a controlled environment to observe outcomes and holistic ecosystem studies, which look at the ecosystem as a whole, often in its natural setting. However, these approaches have limitations when used in isolation. To address this, ecologists integrate these methods, using results from controlled experiments in conjunction with larger-scale ecosystem studies. This approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem structure, function, and dynamics.
Ecology also requires the integration of different scientific disciplines. Conservation biology, for example, combines techniques from areas such as genetics, geography, and climate science to assess species abundance, environmental change, and extinction risks. Regardless of the specific focus, ecological research often involves posing scientific questions and applying rigorous methods to find answers, similar to other fields that use the scientific method.