Study of a single species and the environmental factors in its habitat

Study of a single species and the environmental factors in its habitat is called

Genecology
Synecology
Autecology
Ethology
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
The correct answer is C) Autecology.
Autecology is the branch of ecology concerned with the study of the ecological relationships of a single species or population with its environment. It focuses on how an individual species interacts with the biotic and abiotic factors in its habitat, including its adaptations, physiological responses, life cycle, and population dynamics.
A) Genecology is the study of the genetic composition and evolutionary history of plant populations in relation to their ecological environments.
B) Synecology is the study of ecological relationships within biological communities, focusing on the interactions among different species and the structure and function of entire ecosystems.
D) Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior, usually in natural conditions.