What do botanists do?

Botanists are scientists who study plants, observing, growing, and collecting plant samples. They may identify new plant species and evaluate their parts and uses, or study the effects of environmental change on plants and work toward environmental protections. Many botanists also work in labs, examining plant growth and the effects of environment on plant life cycles. In their research, botanists consider everything from the amount of rainfall, soil type, and nutrients a plant receives, to the diseases the plant may be susceptible to. Studying plants out in their natural environments and growing plants in controlled labs to isolate genetic and environmental factors and evaluate certain aspects of plant growth are both techniques used by botanists. They often work with other scientists to study how plants positively and negatively impact the health of humans. Some study drugs and cultivate them for use in new medicines, while other botanists may study the genetic makeup of plants to understand plant evolution. Studying plants helps botanists better understand the planet, its ability to sustain life, and the impact of human interaction on plants--past, present, and future.