Ecologist

Introduction

Ecologists study the complex and delicate relationships between animals, plants, people and their environment. They may manage a conservation area or give advice to organisations to help them reduce damage to the environment. Ecologists often do fieldwork to collect data, and produce reports on their findings.

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Work Activities

Ecologists study how organisms relate to one another and to their environment. Human activity can damage the complex and delicate relationships between organisms and their habitats. Ecologists protect the environment, for example, from pollution, intensive farming, road building schemes and city sprawl into the countryside.

Some ecologists suggest what organisations can do to avoid harming the environment. A local council planning to build a new road might ask an ecologist to find the route least likely to cause environmental damage.

The ecologist would visit each proposed site and consider types of wildlife living in or near the area, noting any rare or endangered species. They would advise if trees would have to be cut down or marshland drained, and how these actions could affect plants and animals. The ecologist's findings would be presented to the council in a report.

Ecologists also work as advisers to landowners, industries and water companies. They may advise farmers on the conservation of hedgerows or which trees to plant.

Ecologists may have long-term responsibility for a conservation area. They protect against pollution and vandalism, and may provide information to visitors. Conservation bodies employ ecologists to manage nature reserves, ranging from ancient woodlands to gravel pits. Ecologists also identify new areas in need of protection.

In the laboratory, ecologists may analyse river pollution caused by industry and agriculture. They test water samples to find the type, concentration and source of the pollution.

Occasionally ecologists are called out to assess and advise on pollution incidents. Travelling to remote areas to gather information is also a part of the job. Fieldwork makes up a large part of an ecologist's job, so they have to work outdoors in any weather.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As an ecologist, you will need an inquisitive mind, and a desire to protect the environment. You must be patient, accurate and methodical in doing experiments. You will need good communication skills, for example, to tell the public about wildlife and conservation areas, or to help an industry avoid damaging the environment. You should be fit and not suffer from hay fever or be allergic to animals.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for ecologists vary.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Ecologists earn in the range of £21,000 - £25,500 a year, rising to around £31,500 - £42,000 a year.

Ecologists usually work 35-39 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, early starts, late finishes and weekend work may be required especially during field surveys.

There are few openings for ecologists and competition for posts is fierce.

Government departments such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Scottish Government Environment and Rural Affairs Department have most opportunities. Government related bodies and agencies such as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Environment Agency and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) also employ ecologists.

Other employers are organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and The National Trust for Scotland.

Organisations such as the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) are often keen to recruit volunteers for conservation projects and this can be a way to gain practical experience.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have experience of relevant environmental fieldwork.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter a degree course, you might be able to start one after completing an Access course, eg, Access to Science.

You don't usually need any qualifications to enter an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider.

• 12% of people in occupations such as ecology work part-time.
• 19% have flexible hours.
• 10% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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New Developments

Some people working in this occupation may be involved in the green jobs sector in areas such as conservation or countryside management.