👉 Affiliation biology is a field that studies the interactions and relationships between different species within an ecosystem, focusing on how these interactions influence the structure and function of biological communities. It examines the roles that various organisms play as both hosts and pathogens, as well as symbiotic partners, in shaping ecological dynamics. This includes understanding how host organisms, such as plants or animals, form associations with microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, or viruses, which can range from mutualistic (beneficial to both) to parasitic (harmful to the host). Affiliation biology also explores the co-evolutionary processes that drive these relationships and their impact on biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and the spread of diseases. By integrating concepts from ecology, genetics, and microbiology, this field aims to provide a comprehensive view of how species interact and depend on one another in natural environments.
