What tools does a botanist use in their work?
by Author on Monday, September 6th, 2010 | 2 Comments
I know a botanists can work either outdooors or indoors, so i was just wondering what tools does a botanists use when working indoors and what tools do they use when working outdoors. and also what tools does a botanist use for working both indoors and outdoors?
Serious Answers Please!
Please answer like this:
Indoor tools:
outdoors tools:
if you have the time, please list what the tools are used for. that would be helpful. thanks
Indoor:
Computers for the storage and retrieval of data.
Pen and paper for drawing sketches of plants for handbooks and field guides of plants.
All the items you would expect to find in a laboratory. For example, microscopes for viewing the cellular structure of plants, biochemical reagents for concocting medicines from plants, beakers, self-explanatory, and the like.
Outdoors:
Pen and paper as stated above.
Field guides for plant identification.
Latex gloves for protection while examining various species of plants with potentially caustic chemicals on their leaves (eg. poison sumac, poison ivy, etc.).
Mosquito nets for protection when investigating plants in hostile parts of rainforests.
Guides and maps to not get lost in the jungle.
First Aid Kit.
Edit: The answer below is better than mine. Pick her. The more answers the better though. Hope mine was still helpful in some way.
A career choice for a botanist can cover farming consultant, park ranger, teacher, horticulturist, ecologist or molecular botanist. Seed companies always need people to grow and evaluate new cultivars for garden and agricultural crop use. You could even be a botanical illustrator.
Indoors you could be analyzing chemical compounds for their potential use as medicines or sequencing for the plant genome project. Teaching could require a wide array of reference works, and a greenhouse. You could write for either botanical magazines or the pulp and paper industry.
Here you would learn to use software appropriate to the data you generate. Be familiar both PCs and Macs because both are used and in sequencing Macs may be your only choice.
Sprayers/applicators
Pumps
Hydroponics
Pipe fittings/clamps
Nutrient/pH/light meters
CO2generators
Foggers/humidifiers
Generators & heaters
Grow lights
Heat mats
Spreaders/seeders
Watering/sprinkling systems
Secateurs both bypass & anvil
Chemicals and their MSDS for safety
Hazardous material handling and waste disposal
Composters
Soil amendments/soiless mixes and sterilization
Outdoors you could be seeking new plant species since it is estimated there are still 150,000 unknown species. Working for the government their are agriculture inspectors and land managers doing nature conservancy for the Forest Service, EPA or National Parks.
This all comes to the first tool you need is a degree. After that get a trowel you really are comfortable using. I have a set with custom adapted grips, wrapped with handlebar tape and foam grips. I prefer stainless steel tools that do not rust. Invest in comfortable waterproof shoes because outdoors is often muddy.
Chainsaw
Brushcutters
Handsaws
Loppers and hedging tools
Hoes
shovels & spades (shovels have curved necks so lifting is easier, spades are for working loosening not lifting)
Sod cutters
Cultivators
Chippers
Blade sharpening stones & files