Autecology is the branch of ecology that focuses on the study of individual species and their interactions with their environment. There are several synonyms for the term autecology, including monography, species ecology, and individual ecology. Monography refers to the study of individual organisms, while species ecology emphasizes the relationships between members of a given species and their environment. Individual ecology, on the other hand, encompasses the study of an organism's specific ecological niche, behavior, and adaptations. Whatever synonym one uses, the focus remains on the analysis of the unique traits and ecological needs of individual species to better understand their role in the complex web of life.