Two ducks on a rock in the water on Isle Royale

What is Ecology?

Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. Biodiversity and ecosystem services are essential for the well-being of humans and other living and nonliving organisms. The study of relationships between these can help us solve problems and gain understanding about energy, nutrition, species abundance, human interaction, pests and diseases, natural disasters, and many other patterns. This data is applied to world solutions, like saving endangered species or combating climate change.

Applied ecology focuses on the practical application of ecological principles and knowledge to inform management decisions and conservation practices. These studies can help guide resource management decisions in forests and agriculture, help restore biodiversity along streams and wetlands, mitigate pollution in urban landscapes, sustainably develop new materials for buildings, inform policies, and more.

An understanding of ecological patterns, processes, and sustainability is at the core of a career as an ecologist. Solving complex environmental problems like population impacts, climate change, land use degradation, and altered nutrient cycles comes from a knowledge of fundamental science in ecosystem processes.

What Do Ecologists Do?

Applied ecologists study interactions between organisms and their environment, then use this data to make land management decisions, conserve habitats, restore natural areas, sustainably manage natural resources, control pollution, and more.

Ecologists have a variety of jobs ranging from conservation and restoration, to environmental management and policy making, to ecological engineering and land-use planning. These management decisions can be on a local level or expand to the biosphere.

Plant and Wetland Ecology

Study the interactions between an ecosystem's biotic factors (living things, like plants and animals) and abiotic factors (nonliving components, like water and soil) to understand ecosystem processes and patterns. Analyze nutrients in soil and water to determine the health and abundance of aquatic organisms and surrounding trees. Restore wetlands and coastlines with native grasses and protect wildlife. Plant and animal species living in transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are indicators for much larger, global climate challenges. Knowledge gained here can help to mitigate climate change impacts on local and larger scales.

Communicating Natural Resources

Understand, analyze, communicate, and manage ecosystems in a scientific and sustainable way to benefit the coexisting relationships that humans have with the natural environment. By communicating ecological information, ecologists help other natural resource professionals, landowners, and the public to understand the benefits of sustainably managing natural ecosystems. Advocacy and policy change can play a major role in land management decisions intended to help prevent a further climate crisis. Understanding how to communicate natural resources and ecological services is the first place to start.

Biotechnology

Use and develop technologies to monitor, restore, conserve, and manage the environment. Produce energy from organic waste, exterminate pollutants in water or soil, examine productivity of natural resources and create new ways to sustainably harvest them. Explore genetics by using DNA sequencing to understand evolutionary relationships of species within ecosystems. Explore biological control mechanisms to stop the spread of invasive species. Assess genetic health and viability in endangered species. Use natural environmental patterns to create solutions for tomorrow.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Study interactions between organisms and their environment, and the evolutionary process that produces and modifies life on Earth. Understand how ecological interactions and evolution are interwoven, focusing on behavior, biodiversity, conservation, and function, with scopes ranging from an individual species to entire ecosystems. Observe, collect, record, and analyze evolutionary biological data in the lab and in the field. Expand your knowledge of our planet’s interconnected ecosystems with studies of ecosystem sustainability, evolutionary dynamics, ecosystem function, human health, and the management and restoration of natural resources. You can work on advanced DNA analysis, confocal microscopy, cell sorting, chromatography, and more.

What Careers Are There in Ecology?

Ecologists play a crucial role in conserving Earth's ecosystems. They understand ecosystem dynamics, unraveling the complex web of relationships that contribute to biodiversity. This understanding is essential for predicting how ecosystems will respond to environmental changes and human activities.

Ecologists use this knowledge to conserve and manage forests and other ecosystems, developing strategies to protect and restore areas. They create solutions for mitigating and adapting to climate change based on the impacts of species and distribution, and help control pollution and increase environmental health by studying the ecological impacts of pollutants such as pesticides and plastic waste.

Between soil, hydrology, pests and diseases, climate change, invasive species, and natural disasters, the opportunities of an ecologist are endless.

  • Field Ecologist
  • Research Technician
  • Environmental Analyst
  • Field Naturalist
  • Research Scientist
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Invasive Plant Technician
  • Entomologist
  • Mycologist
  • Hydrologist
  • Soil Scientist
  • Conservation Biologist
  • Water Resource Manager
  • Climate Change Analyst
  • Ecological Restoration Specialist
  • Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
  • Environmental Restoration Planner
  • Industrial Ecologist
  • Agricultural Engineer
  • Biological Technician
  • Sustainability Officer

What Skills Do Ecologists Need?

Professionals in ecology are well rounded when it comes to their depth of knowledge for natural resources and environmental science. The foundational skills needed include biology, chemistry, statistics and other mathematics, and conservation; however, social skills such as ethics, social responsibility, and communication are combined to form the backbone necessary for understanding and managing natural resources. Adaptability and problem-solving abilities are vital for managing all the moving parts of an ecosystem. Knowledge and passion in conservation and sustainable practices helps maintain a balance of human and environmental needs.

Skills needed include:

  • In-depth knowledge for ecology and sustainable ecosystem management
  • Hands-on field skills related to the management of natural resources
  • Data collection and analysis and the capacity to draw conclusions from data
  • Spreadsheet and other software skills for data analysis and management
  • Ability to provide alternative solutions to challenges
  • Effective communication among team members, collaborators, and the public
  • Persistence in research and development processes
  • Active participation and engagement in projects and initiatives
  • A deep commitment to sustainable practices and conservation

Combine skills from out in the field and in the lab with technology to assess environmental data and inform decisions that lead to positive changes in our environment. Our world needs ecology professionals with a mindset geared toward a changing climate, ecosystem management, and sustainability.

What Tasks Do Ecologists Do?

Between forests, water, soil, pests and diseases, human impacts, and more, there are endless opportunities when it comes to the day-to-day tasks of an applied ecologist.

Fieldwork

A large portion of ecologist's time is spent in the field.

  • Conduct surveys on vegetation, wildlife, or aquatic organisms to collect data on species abundance, distribution, and health.
  • Monitor ecosystems by measuring variables such as water quality, soil health, or atmospheric conditions.
  • Collect samples of soil, water, plants, or animals for laboratory analysis.
  • Assess habitats to evaluate the quality and suitability for various species.

Data Analysis

  • Analyze collected data from field surveys using statistical software.
  • Develop models to predict ecological outcomes and assess the impact of management decisions.

Research and Experimentation

  • Design experiments to test ecological hypotheses and assess the effects of environmental changes.
  • Stay up-to-date on scientific research.

Collaboration and Communication

  • Document projects and their data and prepare reports.
  • Collaborate with other scientists and stakeholders on projects and initiatives.
  • Engage with the public to educate and promote awareness and understanding of ecological issues.

Environmental Management

  • Develop management plans for the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
  • Design and implement ecological restoration projects to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems.

Policy and Advocacy

Provide real-world data and expertise to lawmakers to help create and maintain environmental policies.

How Much Do Ecologists Earn?

The salary of an ecologist can vary widely depending on factors such as their level of education, experience, geographic location, type of employer (government agency, nonprofit organization, consulting firm, etc.), and specific field of expertise within ecology (for example, conservation biology, wildlife ecology, marine ecology, etc.). According to Payscale,Entry Level Ecologists (bachelor's degree) earn $44,768 per year while Senior Ecologists (PhD or many years experience) earn $71,760 per year.

  • $44,768
    average entry-level ecologist salary according to Payscale.com
  • $57,206
    average mean annual ecologist salary according to Payscale.com
  • $80,000
    top 10 percent salary of ecologists according to Payscale.com

Figures from payscale.com, accessed April 2025.

The Future of Ecology

With our changing climate, ecology has a promising future. There has been an increased demand for environmental solutions—challenges like climate change, habitat degradation, pollution, and loss of biodiversity are at a critical point and there is a demand for ecologists to develop and implement solutions to mitigate these impacts. Advancements in technology are making it easier to access data, come up with innovative solutions, monitor ecosystems, and manage them more efficiently. Tools like drones, lidar, geographic information systems (GIS), and DNA analysis are allowing ecologists to do more than we have ever imagined. Agencies and companies are focusing their efforts toward sustainability and mitigating impacts on the environment, leading to an increase in collaboration and allowing us to integrate knowledge from other fields, like data science, computing, and social sciences.

Adapting to climate change is inevitable. A changing climate is already here, and it is up to ecologists to not only mitigate negative impacts, but also to adapt to some of the challenges that come along with a changing climate. Ecologists will continue to develop strategies that help ecosystems and human communities adapt to these changes by developing conservation plans, restoring degraded landscapes, and utilizing carbon sequestration. As the world changes, ecologists have to keep up and are consistently helping influence policy that has to do with our natural resources. The public will continue to need to be educated about biodiversity, sustainability, and other ecological issues.

Pursuing an Ecology Degree

There are several paths students can take to start a professional career in ecology. Most entry-level positions require at least a bachelor's degree. The following tips can be helpful to those who wish to pursue a degree in an ecology field.

Tips for High School Students

High school students who are considering a career in the ecology field should consider the following:

  • Focus on math and biology classes—statistics is particularly useful due to the amount of sampling that ecologists do. Courses related to environmental science or conservation will be helpful, as well.
  • Research several applied ecology and other land management degrees, such as forestry, wildlife ecology and conservation, or others, to see which one is the best fit.
  • Talk with teachers, school advisors, friends, and classmates about the options to gain more perspectives and ideas on how to become a natural resource professional.
  • Do a job shadow or "ride along," if possible. There are a natural resource professionals in most areas that could be contacted regarding a job shadow. Research local agencies and companies such as the DNR, Forest Service, or small private companies, and don't be afraid to reach out and ask what kind of opportunities are available. 

Choosing a College/University for Ecology

Selecting a school to study an ecology field can be a difficult decision, but these tips can help:

  • Research colleges and universities that offer ecology degree programs, paying special attention to the kinds of ecology offered. "Applied Ecology" is generally more hands-on with more outdoor labs.
  • Look into similar degree programs, such as forestry, wildlife ecology, or natural resource management.
  • Visit schools of interest and ask lots of questions about the degree program(s), scholarships, financial aid opportunities, application requirements, and deadlines.
  • Consider the school's reputation location, and size; the total cost of attendance; and student housing options.
  • Consider the amount of time in the classroom versus in the field. Some schools offer a "camp" experience that employers find extremely valuable when it comes to hiring.
  • Find out about campus life, academic support, career services, class sizes, and internship opportunities.
  • Apply to the schools that are the right fit when the time comes. Don't miss the application and other deadlines!

Tips for College Students

For current college students, these tips can help ensure success along the path toward an ecology career:

  • Work with academic advisors to choose the appropriate program and courses that will provide the appropriate knowledge and skills for a career in an ecology field.
  • Gain experience in ecology activities like student organizations, co-ops and internships, professional conferences, and research projects.
  • Form relationships with faculty members. These connections will help identify relevant ecology experiences and jobs, both during college and after graduation.
  • Network with professionals at conferences, on-campus career fairs, and more. Opportunities to form connections with professionals in the field are invaluable during the job search.
  • Keep an up-to-date resume and brush up on interviewing skills. Many institutions have a dedicated career center that can help.

Ecology at Michigan Tech

There's no better place to study natural resources than the wild Keweenaw Peninsula, bordered by Lake Superior and blanketed with forests and wetlands (and 218+ inches of snow each winter). Get involved in undergraduate research as paid work experience, for credit, as an intern, or as part of our Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships. Learn by doing and focus on your professional development with The FERM, our trademarked Forestry and Environmental Resource Management program. Support other students’ learning as you solidify your grasp on the fundamentals in our Biology Learning Center.

College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

Our ecologists in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science are out in the field doing hands-on learning. Students studying Applied Ecology and Environmental Science and Wildlife Ecology and Conservation take two outdoor labs in their first semester—that's five hours of outdoor time every week. Students in both majors are all eligible to be paid as Earn and Learn students—an experience that gets you involved in research right away, so you can acquire the hands-on knowledge and skills to land a summer job or internship after your first year. Other schools own forests—but our students explore 3,650 acres of woodland right outside the back door at the Ford Center and Forest. Live at our research forest center during the summer or fall of your junior year through our Integrated Field Practicum.

Biological Sciences Department

Michigan Tech's home in the Keweenaw Peninsula is rich with diverse ecosystems teeming with life—in the waters, forests, wetlands, and more—making Tech a prime fieldwork location for Ecology and Evolutionary Biologystudents. Like our Biological Sciences majors, they get personalized attention in up-to-date labs with access to some of the most advanced technology in the industry. Our broad-based curriculum allows you to obtain knowledge and develop skills necessary to study and understand science and biodiversity of the natural world, prepare yourself for your next stage of education and research, and help solve environmental and human problems.

College of Engineering

Ecological engineering at Michigan Tech prepares you to develop sustainable systems that benefit humankind and the environment. As a joint program with Michigan Tech’s College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science and the College of Engineering’s Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering, you’ll work closely with a wide range of world-renowned faculty members on real environmental and ecological projects. Combine your skills and interests in engineering and science to design sustainable systems in both natural and urban environments. Focus on the interactions between people and their environments in order to develop sustainable solutions for the future. Develop your skills hands-on, working in a rich natural setting among many freshwater resources and national forests. Engage with a unique curriculum including elements of civil engineering, environmental engineering, ecology, and environmental science.

 

Students with hard hats kneeling in the woods at the Ford Center taking measurements.
Ecologists are paving the way for climate solutions. We monitor habitats, using real-world data and technology to solve the challenges facing our ecosystems today. Tomorrow needs people who want to restore the Earth's climate. Tomorrow needs ecologists.