Invertebrate biologists contribute to the understanding of the health of the environment as well as to the health of our own species. Vertebrates depend on invertebrates in an obvious way for food and in less obvious ways as pollinators of food plants. Biological invasions of invertebrates can have great economic impact on health care and agriculture. For example, zebra mussels from Europe were accidentally introduced in to the Great Lakes where they can form clusters of thousands of individuals, smothering native organisms and changing lake ecology. Because they clog water intake pipes, zebra mussels have been costly to industry and municipal water facilities.
Biologists working in educational settings have great control over their time and duties.
Since every day is different, academic careers are good for people who enjoy this kind of personal control and variety. Professional life is a real mosaic of activities - talking with students, debating issues with colleagues, laboratory work and field work. Other careers include working in a museum, aquarium or zoo, directing and staffing educational displays and collections. Additionally, some invertebrate zoologists hold public outreach positions such as interpretive naturalists for environmental education centers and national parks.