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This paper argues that many ecological studies could benefit greatly from a phylogenetic approach. For this purpose, cladistics is an appropriate method to reconstruct phylogeny. Case studies from seven research topics in ecology are reviewed. In all studies, historical explanations have played a central role, and mostly, cladograms have been used. Connections to statistical methods for estimating quantitative variation among taxa are discussed. A phylogenetic base would greatly strengthen both problem formulation and analysis. This is true for population studies as well as for all areas where adaptational explanations are invoked; single species studies as well as comparative studies or coevolution studies. Three cladistic procedures useful in ecological research are briefly described. Ecology and systematics have much to offer each other and it is a challenge to bring the two fields together.