The concept of 'Human Ecology' was put forward by :

Question

Accepted Answer

H.H. Barrows put forward the concept of 'Human Ecology'.

Here's why Option 3 (H.H. Barrows) is the correct answer and why the other options are incorrect:

*   **Option 3: H.H. Barrows (Correct)**: Harlan H. Barrows is widely recognized as the individual who formalized and popularized the concept of human ecology within the field of geography. In his 1923 presidential address to the Association of American Geographers, Barrows articulated a vision of geography as the study of human ecology. He emphasized the interaction between humans and their environment, focusing on how humans adapt to and modify their surroundings. This address is considered a seminal moment in the development of human ecology as a distinct subfield.

*   **Option 1: Hartshorne (Incorrect)**: Richard Hartshorne was a prominent geographer known for his work on the philosophy and methodology of geography, particularly his contributions to the concept of areal differentiation. While Hartshorne's work touched upon the relationship between humans and their environment, he did not originate or primarily advocate for the concept of human ecology in the same way as Barrows. His focus was more on the uniqueness of places and regions.

*   **Option 2: Ratzel (Incorrect)**: Friedrich Ratzel was a German geographer and ethnographer known for his work on political geography and anthropogeography. While Ratzel's work explored the influence of the environment on human societies, particularly his concept of *Lebensraum* (living space), his approach differed significantly from Barrows' human ecology. Ratzel's work was more deterministic, emphasizing the environment's control over human development, whereas Barrows focused on the reciprocal relationship and human adaptation.

*   **Option 4: Wolpart (Incorrect)**: Julian Wolpert was a geographer known for his contributions to behavioral geography and spatial analysis. His work focused on understanding human decision-making in spatial contexts. While his research touched upon human-environment interactions, he was not the originator or primary proponent of the concept of human ecology. His work came later and focused on different aspects of human-environment relationships.

Therefore, H.H. Barrows is the correct answer because he is the geographer most closely associated with the formal introduction and definition of human ecology as a field of study.