This talk will be a tale of two topics using astrophysical
techniques to investigate ecosystems. In the first half I will review
recent progress on an emerging, multi-scale picture of star formation
and feedback in the centres of galaxy, and efforts to synthesise this
into a general understanding of the mass flows and energy cycles in
(extra) galactic nuclei. In the second half of the talk I will discuss
how we are using astrophysics research techniques to help ecologists
save critically endangered animal species and stop peat fires that are a
major contributor to global warming.