Profession ecologist

Ecologists carry out assessments of the health and distribution of organisms, namely people, plants, and animals, and the relationship between organisms and their environment. Ecologists usually have a specialisation area, e.g. freshwater, marine, terrestrial, fauna, and flora about which they conduct research and perform relating tasks. 

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Organism taxonomy

    Science of classifying organisms.

  • Biology

    Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.

  • Ecology

    The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.

  • Environmental legislation

    The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.

Skills

  • Manage habitats

    Create and manage natural habitats.

  • Conduct ecological research

    Conduct ecological and biological research in the field and in controlled conditions, using scientific methods and equipment.

  • Write work-related reports

    Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.

  • Measure trees

    Take all relevant measurements of a tree: use a clinometer to gauge the height, tape to measure the circumference, and increment borers and bark gauges to estimate the growth rate.

  • Identify plants characteristics

    Identify and classify crop characteristics. Be able to recognise different types of bulbs by name, graded sizes, field markings and stock markings.

  • Conduct ecological surveys

    Conduct field surveys to collect information about the number and distribution of organisms.

  • Employ habitat survey techniques

    Apply sampling strategies and employ a range of habitat survey techniques, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), aerial photography, records and maps.

  • Analyse ecological data

    Analyse and interpret ecological and biological data, using specialist software programs.

Optional knowledge and skills

carry out training in environmental matters aquatic ecology conduct fish mortality studies create training materials control aquatic production environment deliver online training botany forest ecology develop management plans to reduce risks in aquaculture biosecurity promote environmental awareness manage aquatic habitat manage budgets conserve natural resources communicate in english in a competent way develop work plans to solve problems environmental policy ensure the safety of endangered species and protected areas monitor water quality conduct environmental surveys manage environmental management system organise training monitor the farm environmental management plan provide on-site training in aquaculture facilities manage environmental impact of operations analyse environmental data assess contamination animal biology develop aquaculture strategies assess environmental impact molecular biology business management principles develop outreach training plans develop environmental policy advise on environmental risk management systems fish biology apply conflict management fish anatomy chemistry speak different languages educate people about nature ensure compliance with environmental legislation identify training needs use different communication channels assess environmental impact in aquaculture operations

Source: Sisyphus ODB