Who is known for their work on the concept of cultural ecology?

Julian Steward is renowned for his contributions to the concept of cultural ecology, which studies the relationship between human cultures and their environments. His work emphasizes how cultural practices and social structures are influenced by the ecological settings in which people live. Steward introduced the idea of "cultural ecology" as a way to analyze how societies adapt to their environments, focusing on the interaction between cultural systems and their physical surroundings.

He was particularly interested in how technology, subsistence patterns, and economic systems are shaped by environmental factors, which allowed for a greater understanding of the dynamics of culture in relation to the natural world. Steward’s approach laid the groundwork for later studies in human adaptation and the influence of environmental contexts on cultural development. His work stands distinct in anthropology, highlighting the interconnectedness between culture and ecology, making him a pivotal figure in the field.