Botanist (Botanicus)

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A botanist is a scientist who practices botany. Another name for a botanist is also called phytologist. Botany is a part of natural science and relates to biology. As a botanist you will study and research the morphology, anatomy, histology, cytology, physiology and systematics of organisms that can be referred to as plants. The name botanist or botanist should also be seen as fairly general because a botanist can specialize in different research areas and plants. As a botanist, you generally use botanical gardens to conduct research. A scientifically landscaped garden for research is called a hortus botanicus or botanical garden. Within a hortus botanicus there are scientific plant collections for research. The head of a hortus botanicus is called hortus director. The manager of a hortus botanicus is called hortus. In most cases, the hortus director of the hortus botanicus is a scientific research center, such as a university. But also think of plant breeding companies, which can use a hortus botanicus. The application of botanical gardens can vary per research area, because botanical gardens can be used for different scientific purposes. It is also conceivable that a botanical garden is accessible to visitors when it comes to education. It is not the case that all botanical gardens are freely accessible, because this can differ per botanical garden. The main raison of a hortus botanicus garden was originally to conduct research on plants. Nowadays, a hortus botanicus also has the important task of preventing certain plant species from becoming extinct. There are different types of hortus botanicus gardens, such as an arboretum, pinetum and rosarium gardens.

A botanist is therefore a biologist and scientist, who conducts research into the physiology and systematics of organisms that can be referred to as plants. Some examples of the work are making cultures, performing measurements, analyzing data and drawing up research results. This work will partly take place in a laboratory using modern equipment, such as microscopes and culture tubes. Despite the fact that a hortus botanicus garden was originally established for scientific research, hortus botanicus gardens can be found all over the country, which are usually accessible to the public. These botanist gardens can usually be visited with or without a guide and have an important educational function. As a botanist, you are therefore specialized in botany on a scientific level. Botany should not be underestimated, because there are more than two hundred thousand different plant species. Most botanists are responsible for conducting scientific research related to plant taxonomy. Plant taxonomy is the science that deals with the research into the grouping of plants. Taxonomy therefore relates to the organization of plants, the description of plants and the naming of plants. Taxon stands for unity and nomos for name.

WHY IS BOTANY IMPORTANT

Botany is important in many different ways. Think, for example, of research into how certain plants can be prevented from becoming extinct or research to be able to grow new plants. Think, for example, of flower growers, who are always looking for new flowers that can be sold all over the world. Growing new flowers is only possible if plant breeding companies have access to the right knowledge. In addition, it is important to understand how plants make oxygen and capture particulate matter. Research into how plants can improve climatic conditions is also important. Another important reason to conduct research on plants is the possible application for new medicines. It is conceivable that a botanist is also responsible for seed breeding. Of course, this does not have to be the case and can differ per botanist.

WHAT DOES A BOTANIST DO:

TRAINING TO BECOME A BOTANIST

A botanist is a scientist, who will usually have the university study biology. There are no specific training opportunities for botanists. Another potentially suitable study may be biology and laboratory research. An important addition to this is that a scientist must have a university degree. With a bachelor's degree, you are not a scientist. For more information, see also the website of Wageningen University, which offers various targeted studies. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.

COMPANIES WHERE A BOTANIST CAN WORK

A botanist generally works for a research centre or is employed by a university. In addition, a botanist can be employed by large plant breeding companies or work for educational institutions. A botanist can also work within the pharmaceutical industry as a pharmacologist.

COMPETENCES BOTANIST

As a botanist, you are a scientist and your research skills and your general curiosity about plants are important competencies. Innovation also plays an important role when we speak of botany. Because as a botanist you usually have to deal with different scientists and other interested parties, communication can be regarded as an important competence. Generally important words are inspiration, independence, independence, perseverance, analyzing, analytical, precise, performing, planning and organizing.

LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A BOTANIST

The labour market perspective of a botanist is generally moderate, because the profession of botanist is not very common at the scientific level. This does not alter the fact that there is a high demand for scientific researchers in the field of plants. The number of possible employers is limited as a botanist. Of course, a botanist graduate can also work in other ways. The career opportunities of a botanist should be seen in obtaining a paid job or obtaining a PhD as a scientist. There are no real career opportunities for a botanist.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY BOTANIST

There are no examples of the working conditions as a botanist. What exactly a botanist earns depends entirely on the type of employer and work experience. A botanist who works for the business world will usually be able to earn a lot more than if he works for a school or university.

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