Environmental Biophysics

Environmental Biophysics is the field of study of organisms and the physical environment (macro- to microenvironment) that they inhabit. In general, environmental biophysical research is designed to understand, a) the microclimate of a given organism of interest, b) how the organism functions (i.e. natural history) in its microenvironment, and c) how the organism responds to micro-environmental perturbation either caused by natural or anthropogenic processes. To become more attuned to the approach of environmental biophysics requires that one understand the primary components of the discipline including the fundamental concepts of microclimatology, environmental science, and biophysics. This entry includes descriptions of the basic components of environmental biophysics and importance of the field of study.