Category Archives: Agriculture & Forestry

Conservation: History and Future

Conservation: History and Future
What is Conservation? Defining Conservationism We define conservation as a broad approach to preserving what is already there and the due care and attention to protecting it for the future (1). It is also dedicated to restoring something to a natural state and maintaining equilibrium. It is a practice and a philosophy, utilizing scientific tools…
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How GIS is Revolutionizing Agricultural Science

How GIS is Revolutionizing Agricultural Science
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology is transforming agricultural science by enabling precision farming, soil quality mapping, and climate-responsive crop planning. While still emerging in mainstream agricultural education, professionals combining GIS expertise with agricultural science knowledge earn competitive salaries—environmental scientists earn a median salary of $81,690 annually with 6% job growth projected through 2032. This technology…
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The Future of Agriculture: Biotechnology and GM Crops

The Future of Agriculture: Biotechnology and GM Crops
Agricultural biotechnology uses living organisms and genetic techniques to improve crop yields, enhance disease resistance, and develop sustainable farming solutions. Techniques like selective breeding have influenced agriculture for millennia; modern biotechnology emerged much more recently. Today's biotechnology careers typically require degrees in plant biology, biomedical engineering, or environmental biotechnology, with master's or doctoral degrees preferred…
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Invasive Species: Causes, Impacts & Environmental Effects

Invasive Species: Causes, Impacts & Environmental Effects
Invasive species are plants or animals introduced to new environments where they cause environmental, economic, or health harm. Unlike exotic species that coexist peacefully, invasives thrive without natural predators, reproduce rapidly, and disrupt native ecosystems. They're the second-leading cause of species extinctions globally, costing an estimated $120 billion annually in the United States alone. One…
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The History of Agriculture: Evolution, Innovation & Environmental Impact

The History of Agriculture: Evolution, Innovation & Environmental Impact
Agriculture began around 10,000 BC in the Fertile Crescent, with independent developments in regions such as the Indus Valley and Yangtze River, when humans transitioned from hunter-gatherer societies to deliberately cultivating crops and domesticating livestock. This Agricultural Revolution enabled permanent settlements, population growth, and the development of complex civilizations. Today, agriculture feeds over 8 billion…
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Environmental Consequences of Fishing Practices

Environmental Consequences of Fishing Practices
Industrial fishing practices harm ocean ecosystems in four major ways: overfishing depletes species like Atlantic cod beyond recovery, destructive gear damages seafloor habitats and coral reefs, ghost fishing gear continues killing animals for years, and bycatch traps millions of sea turtles, marine mammals, and seabirds annually. These impacts create cascading effects throughout ocean food webs,…
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What is Botany? Plant Science Careers & Degrees

What is Botany? Plant Science Careers & Degrees
Botany is the scientific study of plants, including flowering species, algae, fungi, and vascular plants like ferns. As one of the world's oldest natural sciences, botany explores plant structure, growth, reproduction, metabolism, and ecological relationships. With climate change threatening global plant biodiversity, botany has never been more critical to our future. Table of Contents What…
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Phytoliths: What They Are and What They Tell Us

Phytoliths: What They Are and What They Tell Us
Phytoliths are microscopic silica structures that form inside plant cells and survive long after decomposition, providing evidence of ancient plant life and environments. These "plant stones" help archaeologists and environmental scientists reconstruct past ecosystems, understand early agriculture, and trace human impacts on landscapes dating back thousands of years. Most research roles require a Master's degree…
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Entomology 101: The Study of Insects

Entomology 101: The Study of Insects
Entomology is the scientific study of insects — a branch of zoology that examines how insects live, reproduce, and interact with their environment and other species. It's one of the oldest natural sciences, with applications ranging from environmental monitoring and forensic investigation to agriculture, public health, and genetics research. If you've ever wondered what connects…
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Birds as Environmental Indicators: What They Reveal

Birds as Environmental Indicators: What They Reveal
Birds serve as environmental indicators because they respond predictably to changes in habitat quality, pollution, and disease. Scientists study bird populations, behaviors, and physical samples to detect ecosystem stress early — often before other methods reveal a problem. Their sensitivity, visibility, and practical sampling methods make them one of ecology's most reliable monitoring tools. Environmental…
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