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Botanist
( Plant Scientist, Scientist (Plant) )

Duties and Tasks
Specialisations
Quick Facts
Work Conditions
Personal Requirements
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	Studying a specimen kept on file in storage

Botanists study the biology of all types of plants to increase scientific knowledge and apply this knowledge in areas such as conservation and management of natural resources, agriculture, forestry, horticulture, medicine and biotechnology.

Duties and Tasks

Botanists may perform the following tasks:

investigate the effects of environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, sunlight, soil, topography (place) and disease on plant growth
grow plants under controlled conditions to assess the significance of environmental and genetic variables
study the genetics of plants using biochemical and molecular techniques in the laboratory in order to determine the patterns of plant evolution
study the nature and occurrence of plant chromosomes, cells and tissues
prepare scientific reports and papers
supervise and coordinate the work of technical support staff
work with other scientists to develop drugs, medicines and other products from plants
search for and classify new species of plants and identify plant specimens
prepare handbooks for plant identification
use computers for information/data storage and for analysis of data.

Specialisations

Marine Botanist
Plant Ecologist
Plant Pathologist
Plant Physiologist
Plant Taxonomist

Quick Facts

Learning Area	Biology Chemistry Rural Studies
Work Demand	Including handling chemicals/greasy items Including reading or writing
Work Field	Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Work Interest	Analytic or Scientific Nature or Recreation
Skill Level	Professional Jobs

Work Conditions

Botanists work in laboratories, offices and in the field, alone or with other life scientists. They may work irregular hours and live in remote areas when carrying out research.

Botanists may carry out fieldwork to collect and document plant species and numbers in particular areas, so that after mining has taken place the natural environment can be restored. They may be approached to advise on environmental and management issues and possible courses of action.

Personal Requirements