Botanists are the plant scientists who study about the characteristics of plant and algae. Their research activities pave way to understand about the structure, growth and reproductive modes of these living things. They also pay attention to the plant life and its interaction with the environment. They examine how ecological conditions influence the plant species. Plant Taxonomists come under the category of plant scientists who collect information about plant species and classify them according to their structure and DNA sequences. They undertake conservation efforts to save the endangered species after determining the external threats to those species. Plant Taxonomists are only concerned about the classification of plant species rather than concentrating on each and every detail of plants like Botanists.

Botanist and opportunities

Botanists can find several career avenues in the private sector as well as government sector. In the private sector, they can find employment in seed companies, drug companies and biotechnology firms. Paper companies and Chemical companies also hire the service of Botanists. They can work in botanical gardens funded by the government or private organizations. They can get into various government departments like Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Land Management and Forest Department. Research laboratories like Medical Plant Resources Laboratory also offer various career opportunities for the Botanists.

Plant Taxonomist and opportunities

Plant Taxonomists can work in various plant museums and herbariums. They can find lucrative career opportunities in reputed research organizations like National Botanical Research Institute and Rain Forest Research Institute. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) under Ministry of Environment recruit eligible candidates for the post of Plant Taxonomist. Those who are specialized in forestry and wild life control can find job opportunities in Forest Department and Department of Environmental Protection. Plant Taxonomists can also look for various career opportunities in reputed government institutions like Botanical Survey of India.

Key difference between Botanist and Plant Taxonomist

• Botanists study about the characteristics of plants and algae while Plant Taxonomists study about plant species.
• Plant Taxonomists should take Plant Taxonomy as their specialization during their M.Sc or Ph.D program. Such specialization is not necessary for Botanists.

Botanists concentrate on the general behavior and characteristics of the plants. They can specialize in any area according to their interest. But Plant Taxonomists specialize in a particular area in botany called Plant Taxonomy.