Simons Architects’ Post

You don't necessarily need to have studied ecology, in order to start a career in the field. In our latest blog, one of our ecologists, Ross, explains how his enthusiasm for nature has led him to working for Ecology by Design. #ecology #ecologycareers #biodiversity

[Ecology Jobs in New Zealand: A Closer Look] Ecology jobs in New Zealand play a crucial role in preserving the country's unique environment. This blog post provides an . . . https://lnkd.in/dGS_EgGc

Please check out our new article: Using 4DEE framework to #teach #ecology to non-majors published in Frontiers in Ecology & the Environment #ESA https://lnkd.in/eKKpkXQk

Here’s why you will need an Ecology survey if you want to install a solar panel farm on your land…

📖 Introducing Key Concepts in Ecology: Reading lists & introductions to help learn the key topics in #ecology! This installment covers 'community structure': defined by the number of #species & their abundance in the #community 🔗

I was awoken this morning with a sense of grave concern about the fact so many grad ecologists are coming out of uni with no real knowledge about how the UK countryside and its habitats work and are thus being set up for a a genuine sense of overwhelm when they start taking on PEA's. The background knowledge gaps in UK habitat dynamics, landscape/historical ecology and soil science/geology are HUGE. Many lack core ecological concepts like succession, intermittent disturbance hypothesis etc They come in unable to identify a single plant.... Shadowing and CPD teaches them the protected species ecology/survey skills but that should be the sprinkles on the ecology cake.... Ultimately these youngsters have sprinkles but no cake. Ecology is all about interrelatedness and making links between sometimes quite disparate concepts. Without a core knowledge base in ecology/habitats/soils/landscape (and with no ID skills) you can read a site only on the most shallow of levels. When I started I was able to jump into Preliminary Eco Appraisals immediately because I I lucked out on my education big time. My BTEC/BSc/MSc focused on UK ecology/legislation and the promoting of field skill and plant ID development as constant practice. I was privileged to work with innovative, inspiring, rule breaking lecturers (including members of the Herts flora/bat groups). Then, the ASSET course ran by ARBTECH back in 2019 formed the sprinkles on my cake in its delivery of consultancy key skills and specific protected species ecology/survey techniques. I started my job with confidence in my knowledge and knew what to do with minimal shadowing. My teachers empowered me. Sometimes it's a case that they've come from a non-ecological education and their lack of knowledge is understandable. But I'm alarmed at how many kids have not been empowered with the knowledge they need to truly understand ecology. I've been thinking for a while about how I could impart the knowledge installed by my teachers into the heads of junior staff beyond sporadic infodumping on Slack (which I am realising is inneffective). Teaching is a skillset in itself and I've been going back through the annals of my brain trying to work out exactly what I was taught, how it was structured, what lectures really stuck with me and why. (the day I learned what soil is and how it was made was the highlight of my life, he made us chew different soils to see how it tasted and felt in our teeth... took us out to see a Podzol....I loved it)😂 Anyway, I was overcome by this inexplicable and sudden need to make a PowerPoint presentation on the proper analysis of landscapes to inform desk studies and I got out Oliver Rackhams History of the Countryside (A SEMINAL PIECE) and then suddenly the whole of sunday disappeared. 😆 #ecology #landscapeecology #historicalecology

Some technical terms in ecology also have every-day meaning. That is not always helpful for communication. Here I write about the term “community” in ecology. Curious about your thoughts on this topic...let me know in the comments... #ecology #communication #sciencecommunication #scicomm https://lnkd.in/evqQB7sQ

📖 Introducing Key Concepts in Ecology: Reading lists & introductions to help learn the key topics in #ecology! This installment covers 'community structure': defined by the number of #species & their abundance in the #community 🔗

Exploring the Diverse Habitats and Mating Strategies of Polyommatus Butterflies: A Deep Dive into Their Behavioral Ecology Introduction to Polyommatus Butterflies: A Glimpse into Their Diverse Habitats ... Read More - https://lnkd.in/dM6tJDPz

New blog - Ecology & the Restorative City What makes for a 'good city'? How is the ecology of our cities changing? Can we design cities to be 'restorative'? For anyone who likes plants, fresh air & lives in a city, read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/eVvhGsiY