Terrestrial ecology is a specialized field of ecology that focuses on the study of living organisms and their interactions with their physical environment on land. It involves the study of plants, animals, and microorganisms and how they interact with each other and with their abiotic surroundings, such as soil and climate. Terrestrial ecologists investigate the impact of human activities on ecosystems, conservation strategies for endangered species, and the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients. This field requires a strong understanding of biology, chemistry, geology, and physics to support studies that span from the molecular level to entire ecosystems.