Final answer:
Ethnobiology is the early interest within environmental anthropology that studies how non-Western societies classify natural phenomena, examining the relationship between cultures and their ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early interest within environmental anthropology concerned with how non-Western societies classify natural phenomena was called ethnobiology. This field examines how different cultures understand and interact with the natural world, categorize plants and animals, and use ecological knowledge in their daily lives. Ethnobiologists study indigenous knowledge systems, which often include intricate classifications of the natural environment, reflecting a deep connection and understanding between these societies and their ecosystems.
One of the critical aspects of ethnology, a branch of anthropology, is the cross-cultural comparison that can reveal insights into human migration patterns, the development of languages, and shared cultural elements. Ethnobiology, a subfield of ethnology, further delves into cultural conceptions of nature and environment. Insights from ethnobiology and ethnology contribute significantly to our understanding of human-environment interactions and the development of sustainable practices.
Inquiry into supernatural beliefs, such as animism, and the study of ontology within anthropology offer deeper insights into diverse worldviews that shape societies' understandings of their surroundings. Recognizing the importance of environmental factors, cultural ecology and cultural materialism, pioneered by anthropologists such as Julian Steward and Marvin Harris, emphasize the relationship between environmental adaptation and cultural development.