What is the study of the management of an aquatic environment called?

The study of the management of an aquatic environment is best described by aquaculture. Aquaculture specifically refers to the farming of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants, algae, and other organisms in marine and freshwater environments. It encompasses various practices and methods that aim to sustainably cultivate these aquatic species while also managing their environments to ensure health and productivity.

This is distinct from marine biology, which focuses on the study of ocean ecosystems and the organisms within them but does not necessarily involve actively managing or cultivating aquatic environments. Hydrology deals with the properties and distribution of water in the Earth’s atmosphere and its movement through the environment, which is more about the study of water itself rather than the management of aquatic life or environments. Water conservation emphasizes practices to reduce water waste and improve water management, but it does not specifically address the cultivation and management aspects inherent in aquaculture.

Thus, aquaculture is the most accurate choice when it comes to understanding the management of aquatic environments in context.