How do they match: Industrial Ecologists

  • Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

  • Build and maintain databases of information about energy alternatives, pollutants, natural environments, industrial processes, and other information related to ecological change.
  • Conduct applied research on the effects of industrial processes on the protection, restoration, inventory, monitoring, or reintroduction of species to the natural environment.
  • Conduct environmental sustainability assessments, using material flow analysis (MFA) or substance flow analysis (SFA) techniques.
  • Develop or test protocols to monitor ecosystem components and ecological processes.
  • Examine local, regional, or global use and flow of materials or energy in industrial production processes.
  • Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
  • Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
  • Plan or conduct studies of the ecological implications of historic or projected changes in industrial processes or development.
  • Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
  • Provide industrial managers with technical materials on environmental issues, regulatory guidelines, or compliance actions.
  • Redesign linear, or open-loop, systems into cyclical, or closed-loop, systems so that waste products become inputs for new processes, modeling natural ecosystems.

  • Conduct research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems.
  • Develop technical or scientific databases.
  • Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.