Define the term "autecology."

The term "autecology" specifically refers to the study of individual species and their interactions with the environment. This branch of ecology focuses on how a single species responds to environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, light, and soil conditions. It also examines how these species adapt to their surroundings, compete with other species, and fulfill their roles within the ecosystem.

Understanding autecology is critical in freshwater studies, as it allows researchers to assess the ecological needs and behaviors of specific species, which can inform conservation efforts and habitat management. This field complements other ecological studies by providing insight into the finer details of how organisms contribute to the overall dynamics of ecosystems.

The other choices, while related to ecological studies, deal with broader concepts. For instance, group interactions within ecosystems pertain more to synecology, while studies focused on water quality or fossilized organisms address different aspects of ecology and paleontology, respectively.