Before any industrial or commercial development takes place, environmental biologists do site assessments. They conduct environmental impact studies that predict the kinds of effects development would have on an area. Environmental biologists also conduct baseline studies, which provide a snapshot of the environment before an area is developed or if there is a change in use. For example, when developing a new park, biologists will conduct a baseline study and determine whether the area is suitable for a park, and where the environmentally sensitive areas are located. To carry out a baseline study, biologists take inventory of the air, water, soil, minerals, flora and fauna.
Aquatic biology is another area which employs many biologists.
An aquatic biologist studies how factors like water temperature, toxicity, acidity, light and oxygen affect marine plants and animals. Another vital task they perform is monitoring the continental shelf, coasts and estuaries to assess human and industrial impacts on those fragile ecosystems. Environmental biologists also work for companies that extract natural resources like mining, logging and utilities companies. An important part of their job is to monitor the effects on the environment while industrial facilities are being built and while they are in operation. They also look at the effects that industrial air emissions or water contaminants have on the receiving ecosystems.