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Science & Research · Updated Aug 2026

Conservation Scientists

Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
AI Exposure
70/100
High

How much of this occupation’s work can be materially affected by current AI systems.

Replacement Risk
54/100
Moderate

How likely exposure is to translate into reduced human demand.

Includes provisional estimates for AI adoption pressure and labour-market resilience. How this is measured

Evidence quality
Confidence83/100
Task coverage87%

Confidence reflects task coverage, mapping and capability-evidence quality, and how much of the score rests on provisional inputs.

Task-level evidence

What is driving the score?

Occupation scores are built from the task mix—not a single prediction about a job title.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
TaskImportanceAI impactExposure
Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.High
75
Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.High
70
Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.High
73
Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.High
73
Enter local soil, water, or other environmental data into adaptive or Web-based decision tools to identify appropriate analyses or techniques.Medium
72
Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.High
75
Manage field offices or involve staff in cooperative ventures.Medium
66
Implement soil or water management techniques, such as nutrient management, erosion control, buffers, or filter strips, in accordance with conservation plans.High
70
Develop or maintain working relationships with local government staff or board members.High
66
Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands, or groundwater or soil resources.High
73
Compile or interpret biodata to determine extent or type of wetlands or to aid in program formulation.Medium
74
Coordinate or implement technical, financial, or administrative assistance programs for local government units to ensure efficient program implementation or timely responses to requests for assistance.Medium
73
Visit areas affected by erosion problems to identify causes or determine solutions.Medium
74
Respond to complaints or questions on wetland jurisdiction, providing information or clarification.Medium
75
Compute cost estimates of different conservation practices, based on needs of land users, maintenance requirements, or life expectancy of practices.High
71
Analyze results of investigations to determine measures needed to maintain or restore proper soil management.Medium
73
Develop, conduct, or participate in surveys, studies, or investigations of various land uses to inform corrective action plans.Medium
73
Provide information, knowledge, expertise, or training to government agencies at all levels to solve water or soil management problems or to assure coordination of resource protection activities.Medium
72
Revisit land users to view implemented land use practices or plans.High
73
Review or approve amendments to comprehensive local water plans or conservation district plans.Medium
74
Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.High
39
Identify or recommend integrated weed and pest management (IPM) strategies, such as resistant plants, cultural or behavioral controls, soil amendments, insects, natural enemies, barriers, or pesticides.Medium
71
Most exposed

Where AI can do more

Routine, digitized, and highly repeatable tasks face the greatest pressure.

  1. Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.75
  2. Compute design specifications for implementation of conservation practices, using survey or field information, technical guides or engineering manuals.75
  3. Respond to complaints or questions on wetland jurisdiction, providing information or clarification.75
  4. Compile or interpret biodata to determine extent or type of wetlands or to aid in program formulation.74
Hardest to automate

Where people still matter

These tasks score lowest on automation feasibility—physical presence, judgement, accountability and real-world variability all resist end-to-end automation.

  1. Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.01
  2. Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.02
  3. Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.03
  4. Advise land users, such as farmers or ranchers, on plans, problems, or alternative conservation solutions.04
  5. Gather information from geographic information systems (GIS) databases or applications to formulate land use recommendations.05
Where else this work leads

Related occupations

Occupations O*NET links to this one. Relatedness reflects shared work, not a claim that these roles are safer.

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Beyond AI capability

Adoption and labour-market outlook

Structural factors are kept separate from raw capability so you can see what actually resists automation. Adoption pressure and labour-market resilience are still provisional models—25% of this occupation’s replacement-risk weight rests on them.

Human dependency74
Physical dependency55
Adoption pressure60
Labour-market resilience62
Methodology & sources

O*NET 30.3 occupational data interpreted through the JobsVsAI capability, automation and structural-constraint models.

Confidence83/100
CalculatedAug 21, 2026
Read methodology →