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Ecologist
Ecologists are environmental biologists who study the interactions between organisms and their environment and between organisms themselves.
Ecologists undertake environmental studies by investigating the influence of human activity on the natural environment, for instance the impact of population size, housing, recreational facilities, pollution and farming on the environment. Through their research they attempt to rectify imbalances caused to the environment.
Ecology is actually a branch of Biology, dealing with organisms and their relationship to their physical environment. When people cause imbalances in the environment, ecologists try to rectify these imbalances. They are frequently involved with conservation management, which requires the intelligent interpretation and application of biological principles.
Commercial utilization of the environment has increased along with media and public interest in conserving our limited resources. Large building and mining projects, particularly in areas regarded as being ecologically sensitive, are, in most cases subject to a full report, called an environmental impact assessment (EIA), from a professional ecologist.
Professional ecologists are also known as environmental scientists or environmental engineers. Environmental and business interest groups often enlist more than one ecologist regarding a particular piece of land, in order to gain public approval for their agendas.
Ecologists work both indoors and outdoors. They spend time in nature where they collect material to help solve ecological problems. They also spend time in laboratories analyzing and interpretating data which is then used for improving our understanding of the ecosystem.
Satisfying Aspects
- making positive contributions to maintaining natural, clean and pollution-free environments
- working both indoors and outdoors
Demanding aspects
- finding cost effective ways to prevent or minimize pollution, such as smog and industrial waste
- stabilizing or rectifying imbalances in nature
Requirements
An ecologist should:
- have a love of nature and conservation
- have excellent observational skills
- have an enquiring mind and the ability to analyze data
- be adaptable and able to work under very demanding circumstances
- have physical stamina to withstand fieldwork under rough conditions
- be able to communicate well with a wide range of people
- have logical approach to problem-solving
- have scientific and technical aptitude
- have ability to work as a member of a team
- be able to gain a solid background in as many life sciences as possible to facilitate responsible interpretation of data.
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences
Recommended Subjects: Life Sciences
Training
Degree: BSc degree at all universities, majoring in one or more of the following: Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Soil Science, Geology, with supporting courses in: Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science.
Post-graduate Training: BSc Honours specializing in Ecology is essential for securing research positions.
Employer
- Research organizations such as CSIR
- Universities
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
- Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
- The National Parks Board
- Museums
- Large industries which have an interest in conservation
- Self-employed (consultants)
The opportunities for private consulting are likely to increase as pressure is placed on building consortiums to conduct their own independent environmental impact studies so that they are in a position to state their case when faced with opposition from various lobby groups to proposed building projects.
Contact
The SA Institute of Ecologists & Environmental Scientists
P O Box 1749
Noordhoek, 7979
Tel/Fax: (021) 789-1385
www.saiees.org.za
Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa
1 Karkloof Road
Howick
P O Box 394
Howick, 3290
Tel (033) 3303931 Fax (033) 3304576
Email: alisonk@futurenet.co.za
/www.wildlifesociety.org.za