The study of a community's dual ecological environments. Internal ecology refers to the dynamics of relationships, roles, niches, and resource distribution within the community—its social ecosystem. External ecology is the community's relationship with its physical environment and other surrounding communities. The theory examines how changes in one ecology (e.g., external climate change) force adaptations in the other (internal social structure).
Example: A fishing village faces an external ecological shift: fish stocks collapse. Internal and External Ecology Theory analyzes how this forces a change in the internal ecology: the social role of "fisher" shrinks, new niches like "aquaculturist" or "tourist guide" emerge, and power dynamics shift away from fishing families. The two ecologies are in constant, stressful dialogue.
by Dumuabzu February 5, 2026
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