Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. Biodiversity and ecosystem services are essential for the well-being of humans, living, and nonliving organisms. The study of relationships between these can help us solve problems and gain understanding about energy, nutrition, species abundance, human interaction, pests and diseases, natural disasters, and many other patterns. This data is applied to world solutions like saving endangered species or combating climate change.
Applied ecology focuses on the practical application of ecological principles and knowledge to inform management decisions and conservation practices. These studies can help guide resource management decisions in forests and agriculture, help restore biodiversity along streams and wetlands, mitigate pollution in urban landscapes, sustainably develop new materials for buildings, inform policies, and more.
An understanding of ecological patterns, processes, and sustainability is at the core of a career in environmental science. Solving complex environmental problems like population impacts, climate change, land use degradation, and altered nutrient cycles comes from a knowledge of fundamental science in ecosystem processes.
What Do Ecologists Do?
Applied ecologists study interactions between organisms and their environment, then use this data to make land management decisions, conserve habitats, restore natural areas, sustainably manage natural resources, control pollution, and more.
Ecologists have a variety of jobs from conservation and restoration, to environmental management and policy making, to ecological engineering and land-use planning. These management decisions can be on a local level or expand to the biosphere.
Plant and Wetland Ecology
Study biotic and abiotic interactions to understand ecosystem processes and patterns. Analyze nutrients in soil and water to determine the health and abundance of aquatic organisms and surrounding trees. Restore wetlands and coastlines with native grasses and protect wildlife. Plant and animal species living in transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are indicators for much larger, global climate challenges. Knowledge gained here can help to mitigate climate change impacts on local and larger scales.
Communicating Natural Resources
Understand, analyze, communicate, and manage ecosystems in a scientific and sustainable way to benefit the coexisting relationships that humans have with the natural environment. By communicating ecological information, ecologists help other natural resource professionals, landowners, and the public to understand the benefits of sustainably managing our forests. Advocacy and policy change can play a major role in land management decisions that can help prevent a further climate crisis. Understanding how to communicate natural resources and ecological services is the first place to start.
Biotechnology
Use and develop technologies to monitor, restore, conserve, and manage the environment. Produce energy from organic waste, exterminate pollutants in water or soil, examine productivity of natural resources and create new ways to sustainably harvest them. Explore genetics by using DNA sequencing to understand evolutionary relationships of species within ecosystems, explore biological control mechanisms to stop the spread of invasive species, and assess genetic health and viability in endangered species. Use natural environmental patterns to create solutions for tomorrow.
What Careers are There in Ecology?
Ecologists play a crucial role in conserving Earth's ecosystems. They understand ecosystem dynamics, unraveling the complex web of relationships that contribute to biodiversity. This understanding is essential for predicting how ecosystems will respond to environmental changes and human activities.
Ecologists use this knowledge to conserve and manage forests and other ecosystems, developing strategies to protect and restore areas. They create solutions for mitigating and adapting to climate change based on the impacts of species and distribution, and help control pollution and increase environmental health by studying the ecological impacts of pollutants such as pesticides and plastic waste.
Between soil, hydrology, pests and diseases, climate change, invasive species, and natural disasters, the opportunities of an ecologist are endless.
- Field Ecologist
- Research Technician
- Environmental Analyst
- Field Naturalist
- Research scientist
- Environmental Consultant
- Invasive Plant Technician
- Entomologist
- Mycologist
- Hydrologist
- Soil Scientist
- Conservation Biologist
- Water Resource manager
- Climate Change Analyst
- Ecological Restoration Specialist
What Skills Do Ecologists Need?
Professionals in ecology are well rounded when it comes to their depth of knowledge for natural resources and environmental science. The foundational skills needed include biology, chemistry, statistics and other mathematics, and conservation; however, social skills such as ethics, social responsibility, and communication are combined to form the backbone necessary for understanding and managing natural resources. Being adaptive and able to solve problems are vital for managing all the moving parts of an ecosystem. Knowledge and passion in conservation and sustainable practices helps maintain a balance of human and environmental needs.
Skills needed include:
- In-depth knowledge for ecology and sustainable ecosystem management
- Hands-on field skills related to the management of natural resources
- Data collection and analysis and the capacity to draw conclusions from data
- Spreadsheet and other software skills for data analysis and management
- Ability to provide alternative solutions to challenges
- Effective communication among team members, collaborators, and the public
- Persistence in research and development processes
- Active participation and engagement in projects and initiatives
- A deep commitment to sustainable practices and conservation
Combine skills from out in the field and in the lab with technology to assess environmental data and inform decisions that lead to positive changes in our environment. Our world needs ecology professionals with a mindset geared toward a changing climate, ecosystem management, and sustainability.
What Tasks Do Ecologists Do?
Between forests, water, soil, pests and diseases, human impacts, and more, there are endless opportunities when it comes to the day-to-day tasks of an applied ecologist.
Fieldwork
A large portion of ecologists time is spent in the field.
- Conduct surveys on vegetation, wildlife, or aquatic organisms to collect data on species abundance, distribution, and health.
- Monitor ecosystems by measuring variables such as water quality, soil health, or atmospheric conditions.
- Collect samples of soil, water, plants, or animals for laboratory analysis.
- Assess habitats to evaluate the quality and suitability for various species.
Data Analysis
- Analyze collected data from field surveys using statistical software.
- Develop models to predict ecological outcomes and assess the impact of management decisions.
Research and Experimentation
- Design experiments to test ecological hypotheses and assess the effects of environmental changes.
- Stay up-to-date on scientific research.
Collaboration and Communication
- Document projects and their data and prepare reports.
- Collaborate with other scientists and stakeholders on projects and initiatives.
- Engage with the public to educate and promote awareness and understanding of ecological issues.
Environmental Management
- Develop management plans for the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
- Design and implement ecological restoration projects to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems.
Policy and Advocacy
Provide real-world data and expertise to lawmakers to help create and maintain environmental policies.
How Much Do Ecologists Earn?
The salary of an ecologist can vary widely depending on factors such as their level of education, experience, geographic location, type of employer (government agency, non-profit organization, consulting firm, etc.), and specific field of expertise within ecology (e.g., conservation biology, wildlife ecology, marine ecology, etc.). According to Payscale,Entry Level ecologists (bachelor's degree) earn $44,768 per year while Senior Ecologists (PhD or many years experience) earn $71,760 per year.
Figures from payscale.com, accessed June 2024.
The Future of Ecology
With our changing climate, ecology has a promising future. There has been an increased demand for environmental solutions—challenges like climate change, habitat degradation, pollution, and loss of biodiversity are at a critical point and there is a demand for ecologists to develop and implement solutions to mitigate these impacts. Advancements in technology are making it easier to access data, come up with innovative solutions, monitor ecosystems, and manage them more efficiently. Tools like drones, LiDAR, geographic information systems (GIS), and DNA analysis are allowing ecologists to do more than we have ever imagined. Agencies and companies are focusing their efforts toward sustainability and mitigating impacts on the environment, leading to an increase in collaboration and allowing us to integrate knowledge from other fields like data science, computing, and social sciences.
Adapting to climate change is inevitable. A changing climate is already here, and it is up to ecologists to not only mitigate negative impacts, but also to adapt to some of the challenges that come along with a changing climate. Ecologists will continue to develop strategies that help ecosystems and human communities adapt to these changes by developing conservation plans, restoring degraded landscapes, and utilizing carbon sequestration. As the world changes, ecologists have to keep up and are consistently helping influence policy that has to do with our natural resources. The public will continue to need to be educated about biodiversity, sustainability, and other ecological issues.
Pursuing an Ecology Degree
There are several paths students can take to start a professional career in ecology. Most entry-level positions require at least a bachelor's degree. The following tips can be helpful to those who wish to pursue a degree in an ecology field.
Tips for High School Students
High school students who are considering a career in the ecology field should consider the following:
- Focus on math and biology classes—statistics is particularly useful due to the amount of sampling that ecologists do. Courses related to environmental science or conservation will be helpful, as well.
- Research several applied ecology and other land management degrees such as forestry, wildlife ecology and conservation, or others to see which one is the best fit.
- Talk with teachers, school advisors, friends, and classmates about the options to gain more perspectives and ideas on how to become a natural resource professional.
- Do a job shadow or "ride along," if possible. There are a natural resource professionals in most areas that could be contacted regarding a job shadow. Research local agencies and companies such as the DNR, Forest Service, or small private companies and don't be afraid to reach out and ask what kind of opportunities are available.
Choosing a College/University for Ecology
Selecting a school to study an ecology field can be a difficult decision, but these tips can help:
- Research colleges and universities that offer ecology degree programs, paying special attention to the kinds of ecology offered. "Applied Ecology" is generally more hands on with more outdoor labs.
- Look into similar degree programs such as forestry, wildlife ecology, or natural resource management
- Visit schools of interest and ask lots of questions about the degree program(s), scholarships, financial aid opportunities, application requirements, and deadlines.
- Consider the school's reputation location, and size; the total cost of attendance; and student housing options.
- Consider the amount of time in the classroom versus in the field. Some schools offer a "camp" experiences that employers find extremely valuable when it comes to hiring.
- Find out about campus life, academic support, career services, class sizes, and internship opportunities.
- Apply to the schools that are the right fit when the time comes. Don't miss the application and other deadlines!
Tips for College Students
For current college students, these tips can help ensure success along the path toward an ecology career:
- Work with academic advisors to choose the appropriate program and courses that will provide the appropriate knowledge and skills for a career in an ecology field.
- Gain experience in ecology activities like student organizations, co-ops and internships, professional conferences, and research projects.
- Form relationships with faculty members. These connections will help identify relevant ecology experiences and jobs, both during college and after graduation.
- Network with professionals at conferences, on-campus career fairs, and more. Opportunities to form connections with professionals in the field are invaluable during the job search.
- Keep an up-to-date resume and brush up on interviewing skills. Many institutions have a dedicated career center that can help.
