pa·le·o·e·col·o·gy 
(pā′lē-ō-ĭ-kŏlə-jē)
(pā′lē-ō-ĭ-kŏlə-jē)n.
The branch of ecology that deals with the interaction between ancient organisms and their environment.
pa′le·o·e′co·logic (-ē′kə-lŏjĭk, -ĕk′ə-), pa′le·o·e′co·logi·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj.
pa′le·o·e·colo·gist n.