Evolutionary ecology is a branch of ecology that focuses on how evolutionary processes shape the interactions between organisms and their environment. It explores how natural selection, genetic variation, and adaptation drive the diversity and distribution of species, as well as their interactions with other organisms and their physical surroundings. Researchers in this field use a combination of field observations, experiments, and mathematical models to study the evolutionary dynamics of populations and communities, and how these dynamics influence ecological patterns and processes. Overall, evolutionary ecology aims to understand the interplay between evolutionary and ecological processes and how they shape the structure and function of ecosystems.