Applied ecology applies ecological knowledge to real-world problems, such as resource management and habitat restoration. It involves balancing conflicting needs and making policy suggestions to benefit the environment. Applied ecologists work in various fields and require at least a bachelor’s degree in ecology.
Applied ecology is a discipline in the field of ecology that focuses on applying ecological knowledge to problems. This field takes ecology out of the realm of academia and into the real world, using research done by ecologists to answer tough questions about the natural environment. Applied ecologists may work for governments, environmental organizations, private consultancies, educational institutions, and community development groups, applying their expertise to issues that require input from an ecologist.
Much of applied ecology focuses on the management of ecological resources. Humans recognize that natural resources are finite and vulnerable to damage, and that conflicting needs may need to be balanced when deciding how to allocate resources. These conflicting needs can be between human populations, such as when humans want to use the same river for irritation, recreation, and as a source of public drinking water, and can also involve conflicts with living organisms other than humans who may want to use the same resource, like the fish in our hypothetical river.
Resource management is a growing problem, as the human population is steadily increasing and creates increasing pressure on the natural environment. Applied ecology specialists help people allocate and manage resources responsibly and make policy suggestions designed to benefit the environment in the long run while ensuring that people can continue to use and enjoy it. Applied ecologists are involved in agriculture, forestry, real estate development, water management, and a variety of other fields.
Applied ecology can also be important for habitat restoration and environmental remediation. Ecologists’ knowledge can determine how an environment might be repaired after damage, and can reduce errors such as introducing an invasive species to fix a problem that ends up causing a problem when the invasive species takes over. Long-term planning can also be informed by applied ecology, including plans to rejuvenate urban environments, control development, or open up new resources for exploitation.
People working in this field can be found in a variety of backgrounds. Some work in the field, conducting research, while others may be in the lab analyzing samples and conducting experiments. Applied ecologists may work as public policy advocates and people who actually formulate and implement environmental policies, and may also work in public education or private counseling. Work in this field generally requires a bachelor’s degree in ecology at a minimum.
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