Fire ecology is the scientific study of the role of fire in ecosystems, focusing on the interactions between living organisms and fire. This field examines how wildfires and prescribed burns shape plant and animal communities, nutrient cycling, and overall ecosystem health. Fire is considered a natural process in many ecosystems, and fire ecology research helps inform land management practices and conservation efforts to maintain healthy, functioning ecosystems. The field also explores the adaptation of plants and animals to fire, as well as the impacts of human-caused fires and climate change on ecosystems.