Careers in Botany

Would you study plants? Think about it for a minute – Would it be of interest to you? – Would it be of any importance to the world? – What can we learn from studying plants? – Write down as many possible careers in the area of plants as you can think of

Think about the importance of plants to the world overall Food & Beverages Medicines Textiles Perfumes Herbal remedies Shelter Fuel

Careers in Plants Food Security – Current population: 7 billion – Predicted for 2075: 9.5 billion – We therefore need to ensure we can feed this increased population – However, space is decreasing due to urbanisation of land – We need space to grow plants! – What can studying plants tell us?

Science Researcher Currently, researchers are investigating ways of encouraging plants to grow better, larger crops, in less space, potentially with less water Since the 1960s the global average food consumption has increased by 1/3 These studies are needed now more than ever – we need to be able to feed an increased population

Plants in the Economy Ted Arnold (CEO Concern) – 1970: 24% of the worlds population were hungry – : 12.5% were hungry – Much of this improvement can be credited to the study of plants and how to improve their crop yield

Agriculture Farming community rely on quality food types to provide to animals in turn these animals are used for food / dairy products The quality of produce from farmers has a knock on effect on the economy

Climate Change Increased levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are leading to global warming. These new conditions over time are leading to changed climates – Plants grown in some areas may no longer thrive there, having an effect on the use of plants in that area

Science Research: Climate Change It is important that the effects are studied in detail so we can forecast what is to come in the future – How can we manage our plants to get the best from them? – What can we do now with the current environment?

Palaeobotany This involves studying fossil plants from millions of years ago with a view to understanding their evolution based on different climates, increased levels of CO2 – Experiments can be set up simulating these conditions – is an example of such a research project currently taking place

Ethnobotany The scientific study of the traditional knowledge and customs of a people concerning plants and their medical, religious and other uses Studies are constantly being carried out, striving to understand what use plants can be to humans

Plants in Medicine Morphine and codeine – analgesics from the opium poppy Papaver somniferum Serpentine – reduces hypertension & Ajmalicine – tranquilizer (from Catharanthus roseus) All these drugs need to be studied and tested

Plants in Medicine There are many species of plants that provide us with drugs necessary for life – What if all the other species that havent been studied yet could provide us with life saving remedies? – We need people in the field researching these options

Horticulture Horticulture is the study and practice of growing plants ( This covers several areas of employment – Growing & cultivating of plants – Landscaping – Many options within the field!

Horticulture: Amenity Purposes This covers the design, construction and management of living, recreational and leisure areas such as parks, public gardens, cemeteries and sports facilities ( (

Plants & the law! A study has shown that greener areas see less crime: – Relaxed atmosphere with reduced aggression – People tend to gather outdoors, increasing surveillance – A green, groomed area shows a caring, concerned community

Plants and the Law See the full article here Why might an area like this prevent a crime?

Careers in Plants These are only some of the options in plant careers Almost every field you can think of will include plants at some stage Consider the ones mentioned and discuss with a classmate: which one would you do and why?

References Feeding the World in 2050 A Policy Symposium – Dr. Tom Arnold CEO Concern – Professor Shane Ward (UCD) Personal Communications – Dr. Caroline Elliott-Kingston (UCD) E. Nertney 2013