What skills does a conservation scientist need?

A conservation scientist needs 50 essential skills including business management principles, ecosystem management, habitat restoration, geographic information systems, sustainable forest management. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace conservation scientist jobs?

The AI disruption score for conservation scientist is 18/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Science & ResearchScience and engineering professionalsISCO 2133

conservation scientist

Conservation scientists manage the quality of specific forests, parks and other natural resources. They protect the wildlife habitat, biodiversity, scenic value, and other unique attributes of preserves and conservation lands. Conservation scientists perform field work.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (50)

business management principlesbusiness management principlesPrinciples governing business management methods such as strategy planning, methods of efficient production, people and resources coordination.ecosystem managementecosystem managementThe set of approaches that takes into account the effect of a management decision on other elements of an ecosystem. It also addresses the optimization of diverse management strategies and the challen...habitat restorationhabitat restorationThe process of repairing and rehabilitating areas that suffered habitat destruction, alteration of seafloor or the threat of extinction of some animal and plant species. Habitat restoration also invol...geographic information systemsgeographic information systemsThe tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).sustainable forest managementsustainable forest managementThe stewardship and use of forest lands in a way and at a rate that maintains their productivity, biodiversity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfil now and in the future rele...environmental legislationenvironmental legislationThe environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.scientific literaturescientific literatureThe medium of informing the scientific community, including academic researchers, about the results of scientific research. It constitutes a permanent and cumulative collection of all the findings of ...biologybiologyTissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.ecologyecologyThe study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.reforestationreforestationMethods for the recovery of deforested areas to reverse the destruction of forests and regreen an important number of hectares. Strategies as planting new trees, protecting ecosystems from destruction...animal speciesanimal speciesThe characteristics of different species and breeds of animals (relevant to the occupation).draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationdraft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationDraft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.measure treesmeasure treesTake 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.manage research datamanage research dataProduce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be fami...interact professionally in research and professional environmentsinteract professionally in research and professional environmentsShow consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.disseminate results to the scientific communitydisseminate results to the scientific communityPublicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.operate open source softwareoperate open source softwareOperate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.evaluate research activitiesevaluate research activitiesReview proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.demonstrate disciplinary expertisedemonstrate disciplinary expertiseDemonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, re...increase the impact of science on policy and societyincrease the impact of science on policy and societyInfluence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable datamanage findable accessible interoperable and reusable dataProduce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessar...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.develop environmental policydevelop environmental policyDevelop an organisational policy on sustainable development and compliance with environmental legislation in line with policy mechanisms used in the field of environmental protection.identify plants characteristicsidentify plants characteristicsIdentify and classify crop characteristics. Be able to recognise different types of bulbs by name, graded sizes, field markings and stock markings.use ICT resources to solve work related tasksuse ICT resources to solve work related tasksChoose and use ICT resources in order to solve related tasks.apply for research fundingapply for research fundingIdentify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.educate people about natureeducate people about natureSpeak to a variety of audiences about e.g. information, concepts, theories and/or activities related to nature and its conservation. Produce written information. This information may be presented in a...apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesapply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesApply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsi...promote open innovation in researchpromote open innovation in researchApply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.respond to enquiriesrespond to enquiriesRespond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public.conduct educational activitiesconduct educational activitiesPlan, perform and supervise educational activities for a variety of audiences, such as for school children, university students, specialist groups, or members of the public.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose 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 intelligib...manage contractsmanage contractsNegotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, ...coordinate educational programmescoordinate educational programmesPlan and coordinate educational and public outreach programs such as workshops, tours, lectures and classes.publish academic researchpublish academic researchConduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achiev...promote the transfer of knowledgepromote the transfer of knowledgeDeploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry o...think abstractlythink abstractlyDemonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.mentor individualsmentor individualsMentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific n...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...advise on nature conservationadvise on nature conservationProvide information and suggested actions relating to the conservation of nature.educate the public about wildlifeeducate the public about wildlifeSpeak with groups of adults and children to teach them how to enjoy the forest without harming it or themselves. Speak in schools or with specific youth groups if called upon. Develop and teach progra...write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.develop professional network with researchers and scientistsdevelop professional network with researchers and scientistsDevelop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovation...integrate gender dimension in researchintegrate gender dimension in researchTake into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).manage open publicationsmanage open publicationsBe familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and ins...estimate duration of workestimate duration of workProduce accurate calculations on time necessary to fulfil future technical tasks based on past and present information and observations or plan the estimated duration of individual tasks in a given pr...synthesise informationsynthesise informationCritically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.conduct research across disciplinesconduct research across disciplinesWork and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.communicate with a non-scientific audiencecommunicate with a non-scientific audienceCommunicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of...

Optional (22)

climate smart agricultureclimate smart agricultureAn integrated approach to landscape management that aims at increasing food productivity, enhance crop resilience, ensure food safety and reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.forestry regulationsforestry regulationsThe legal rules applicable to forestry: agricultural law, rural law, and laws on hunting and fishing.agroforestryagroforestryThe application of land management systems and technologies that integrate trees and other woody perennials with traditional cropland farming in order to sustain agricultural production while ensuring...chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...geographygeographyThe scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth. It explores the soc...conservation agricultureconservation agricultureThe techniques, methods and principles that promote a sustainable use of land and soil in crop production. It is based on the three principles of permanent soil cover, minimum soil disturbance, and di...forest ecologyforest ecologyThe ecosystems existing in a forest, starting from bacteria to trees and soil types.conduct sediment controlconduct sediment controlManage sediment control processes and projects. Plan sediment control actions to prevent eroded soil from polluting nearby waterways.liaise with cultural partnersliaise with cultural partnersEstablish and maintain sustainable partnerships with cultural authorities, sponsors and other cultural institutions.advise on tree issuesadvise on tree issuesAdvise organisations or private individuals on planting, caring for, pruning or removing trees.manage forestsmanage forestsDevelop forestry management plans by applying business methods and forestry principles in order to efficiently manage forest resources.teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.inspect treesinspect treesCarry out tree inspections and surveys.conduct erosion controlconduct erosion controlManage erosion control processes and projects. Plan erosion control actions to control or prevent erosion from occurring and avoid water pollution or soil loss.supervise forestry workerssupervise forestry workersSupervise and coordinate the staff that works in the forestry areas.direct an artistic teamdirect an artistic teamLead and instruct a complete team with the required cultural expertise and experience.negotiate land accessnegotiate land accessNegotiate with landowners, tenants, mineral rights owners, regulatory bodies or other stakeholders to obtain permission to access areas of interest for exploration or sampling.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.present exhibitionpresent exhibitionPresent an exhibition and give educational lectures in a comprehensible way that is attractive to the public.perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...support volunteerssupport volunteersFollow up volunteer activity.manage forest firesmanage forest firesProtect life, property and resources by preventing forest fires. Detect, control, restrict and suppress fires when they occur. Integrate knowledge of fire regimes, the effects of fire and the values a...