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Ecologist jobs vary by type of ecology studied, location, and employer. Some work in the field collecting data, while others work in labs or forests. Behavioral ecology analyzes animal behavior to protect species. Applied ecology applies theory to real-world situations. Aquatic ecology studies aquatic life and its role in land ecology. Advanced degrees are often required.
Ecologist jobs vary widely based on the type of ecology being studied, geographic location, and employer. Some ecologists spend a great deal of time in the field collecting data. Others may find themselves in an ecology lab conducting various experiments to look for solutions to problems. Some can work in forests. Others may work in oceans, mountains or other locations.
Some ecologist jobs may focus on behavioral ecology. In this field, the job is to analyze the behaviors of animals and try to understand why they react to stimuli the way they do. This can be very important in determining how to protect different species. Without understanding how they might react to a new situation, it is impossible to determine what the possible harmful elements of that situation are. For example, understanding that an owl needs a certain type of tree to build its nest is important for population maintenance. Assuming that the owl could use any tree could severely damage its chances of survival past the current generation.
For those who want to work outdoors, there are many ecologist jobs that offer the opportunity. Some may work as a ranger. Others may find opportunities in the educational field, showing others about life in a particular environment, conducting school field trips and eco trips for visitors. Others may work purely in research or spend their time collecting various samples for laboratory testing. All of these possibilities will involve significant amounts of time outdoors.
Many of those who work in ecologist jobs work in the field of applied ecology. This is the kind of work that focuses on taking theory and principles taught in the classroom and applying them to real-world situations. Going back to the owl example using a specific tree, a real-world ecologist can count the number of specific tree species to determine the suitability of the area for owls. The ecologist may also recommend planting additional trees of this species or protecting existing ones.
For anyone who lives near the ocean or has a passion for aquatic life, aquatic ecology may be one of the best jobs available for ecologists. These ecologists not only study the interaction of aquatic life, but how that interaction plays a role in the healthy ecology of the land. Aquatic ecology can be done in ocean, lake or river environments, as well as in swamps and wetlands.
In most cases, ecologist jobs are very competitive, and an advanced degree, at least a master’s degree, is often required to be considered. Therefore, students should research the types of jobs that most interest them and plan accordingly. While it is possible to get a job in ecology with a bachelor’s degree, many may dislike the type of work it would take, or the relative lack of advancement opportunities.
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