Ecology, which is regarded as a subfield of biology, examines how organisms interact with their surroundings and one another. It watches and considers how organisms are distributed throughout the environment. Ecologists contribute crucial knowledge on how anthropogenic activities affect the ecosystem, aiding in its sustainability and restoration. Ecology covers a wide range of topics, including environmental preservation, diversity, genetic diversity, agriculture and climate change. Since it borrows from so many fields, including math, physiology and geology among others it is quite interdisciplinary.

Ecologists research the interactions between species, how they are distributed across the environment, and how they interact with one another. In addition to the diverse group of terrestrial organisms, the study of ecology has been subdivided into a number of specialities, including the study of marine organisms. Along with working on habitat management, offering suggestions and formulating rules based on ecological findings, it necessitates doing field surveys. Its scope is expanded because it not only investigates wildlife but also the effects of anthropogenic activity on the environment.

In addition to examining how creatures adapt to their surroundings, ecologists also aim to understand how those organisms live. The study of ecology aids in the preservation of wetlands and the management and sustainability of natural resources, opening up a wide range of opportunities for work and research. Ecology also investigates how people interact with one another in human cultures, which greatly expands its usefulness. Ecology students that possess the necessary research and surveying skills are in high demand and are hired by wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, forestry departments, NGO’s, as well as, the educational sectors with countless more abundant employment options.

Study Levels:

The following are the different study levels for this discipline:

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Conservation and Restoration Science
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Forest Ecology and Management
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Ecological Restoration
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Bioinformatics
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Restoration Ecology
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Wildlife Ecology and Management
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biological Sciences with Ecology
• Master of Science in Applied Ecology

• Master of Arts (MA) in Applied Ecohydrology
• Master of Science (MSc) in Landscape and urban ecology
• Master of Science (MSc) in Ecology and Sustainability
• Master of Science (MSc) in Ecology and Environmental sciences
• Master of Science (MSc) in Biology – Ecology
• Master of Science (MSc) in Landscape Ecology
• Master of Arts in Art and Ecology
• Master of Arts in Life sciences
• Master of Science (MSc) in Urban Ecology
• Master of Science (MSc) in Evolution Ecology and Systematics
• Ph.D. in Ecology

Specialisation:

This sub discipline has a wide range of specialisations available to students at prestigious universities, which greatly expands and excites this field of study.

• Industrial Ecology
• Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology
• Natural Resources Management
• Wildlife and Fisheries Biology
• Natural Resources Stewardship, Rangeland Ecology and Management Specialization
• Agroecology
• Ecology, Evolution, and Behaviour
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Human Ecology
• International Master in Applied Ecology
• Urban and Regional Planning
• Biology, Ecology and Evolution Concentration
• Aquatic Ecology
• Biodiversity
• Taxonomy
• Conservation Biology
• Systems Ecology

Employability:

Graduates with an ecology degree have a wide range of employment options. The pay scale for those who have studied ecology varies depending on the level of employment; for example, larger earnings are offered for consulting positions.

Several businesses that work with ecologist include:

• Department of Environment Food and Rural affairs
• Forestry department
• Wildlife reserves
• Environment Agency (EA)

Since a sensitive and in-depth understanding of the interplay between the organisms, including human society and the environment, is worthy of attention, students of ecology also find employment opportunities in many NGO’s and Biosphere reserves. Ecologists are employed by educational institutions as well as media and PR firms. The job designation for students pursuing ecology is as follows:

• Senior Terrestrial Ecologist
• Ecology Biodiversity Expert
• Ecologist & Field Coordinator
• Senior Freshwater Ecologist
• Aquatic Ecologist – School of Environment and Sustainability (SES)
• Lead – Wetland Ecology
• Senior Ecologist
• Junior Researcher Ecology
• Environment Specialist
• Scientific Officer Environmental Fate
• Project Manager Ecological Restoration Alliance: Nature Conservation Foundation
• Environmental Manager
• Environmental Consultant/Executive

Job roles abroad for an ecologist abroad are as follows:

• Ecologist
• Environmental Consultant
• Environmental Education Officer
• Water Quality Scientist
• Marine Scientist
• Research Scientist/Research Assistant
• Restoration Ecologist
• Natural Resource Manager