Human Reproductive Ecology

Abstract

Human reproductive ecology (HRE) studies human reproduction in the context of local ecological variables. The perspective of HRE is evolutionary, and its central goal is to provide models for explaining variation in reproductive patterns as adaptations to the environment. Reproductive function shows significant variation between and within individuals and populations. Human reproductive function has been shown to vary in response to ecological variables such as nutrition, physical activity, acute immunological challenges, psychological stress, and social context. HRE allows us to explore what the consequences of that variation are in terms of health, fertility, and ultimately, reproductive fitness.