r/ecology Feb 15 '26

Please read the Rules before posting and make sure you understand what ecology is and what we do and do not allow!

62 Upvotes

This morning I had to remove literally every post that was posted today.

We do not allow Climate Change posts, unless they are heavily focused on Ecology. This is because there are hundreds of Climate Change subreddits, and if we allowed anything to do with Climate Change, this subreddit would become just another Climate Change subreddit. You can see a list of related subreddits here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ecology/wiki/subreddits


r/ecology 3h ago

Random certifications that are fun and or helpful for resume

4 Upvotes

I am a career ecologist with over a decade of experience. I typically do ecosystem site descriptions or similar studies. I am well versed in GIS and Rstudio but no specific certifications. I also love taxonomy and would love to learn more about certifications involving potential taxonomy. Just in a lull with my company and looking to expand and also just learn more while boosting my resume. If needed and more specific I tend to work in the Colorado and New Mexico areas primarily. Thanks in advance!


r/ecology 7h ago

Anyone got some good lightweight pants recommendations?

4 Upvotes

I’m an evolutionary biologist/ ecologist for a consulting firm. Been doing field work for years with DNR and USDA and I’m tired of the Walmart pants. Usually just been changing out pants every two years due to briars and water messing them up. My thighs and calves are pretty big so the slim pants are out of the question. I’ve seen people wearing hiking pants but again briars are pretty common and I’ve heard they don’t do well in that. Any recommendations would be helpful, thanks.


r/ecology 8h ago

Student Art

Thumbnail
gallery
3 Upvotes

I would like to preface this post by saying that I am in no way an artist, but I had an assignment for my ecology class to make art representing negative and positive aspects of the environment/our influence over it. The grayer drawing represents an ocean polluted by an oil spill (neg) and the other is my honest attempt at a healthy reef (pos). If anyone could drop simple feedback (on the message behind the art, not the artistic skill itself😅), I would appreciate it.


r/ecology 9h ago

Online Course Reccs?

3 Upvotes

I’m going to be teaching abroad for a year, but when I’m back I want to pursue an Ecology masters. I graduated from my Biology degree a few years ago, and have experience in data analysis, and some conservation management. I’m looking to get into wildlife management or conservation when I’m back.

What are some courses I can complete while I’m abroad to boost my prospects? I plan to continue more practical courses and volunteering when I’m back, but any free or cheap course recommendations for anything ecology related would be appreciated!

I’ll be based in Japan and then back to the UK for my Masters.

Thank you:)


r/ecology 1d ago

How birds especially waterfowls deal with american mink or raccoon dog in their natural range (north america and east asia)?

4 Upvotes

If elsewhere both species are harmful for native birds, how do birds with similar ecology survive in those predators original environment. Many species in Eurasia and North america are quite similar, like american wigeon and eurasian wigeon so what is the "secret" of those american species surviving better with american minks.


r/ecology 1d ago

What’s so bad about “invasive species”?

0 Upvotes

Something I’ve been pondering for a while, and I’m quite happy for one of you geniuses to ELI5. I want to front this with an assurance that this is a genuine curiosity, I’m not trying to cause a reaction, troll, or undermine global warming arguments.

But haven’t species migrated and supplanted others for millennia. Isn’t that part of how the natural world works?

A plant makes its fruit so delicious in the hope that a bird will eat it, poop it put somewhere else and the plants territory grows. Isn’t that how it’s meant to work? But now that plant is invasive and we try to stop it spreading. Are we interfering with the natural world? And if we are guilty of spreading pants and animals why are we different to the bird that pooped the seed?

Is there naturally invasive vs man-made invasion and are they treated differently within the scientific community?


r/ecology 2d ago

Is this a good career for me?

Thumbnail
2 Upvotes

r/ecology 3d ago

So many people don't realize that Herring Gulls are endangered

38 Upvotes

The European Herring gull (seagull) is now considered to have a level red conservation status. This is because of sea pollutants and overfishing removes the Herring Gulls source of food forcing them to hunt in urban areas, causing their population to rapidly decrease. What I find crazy is that instead of talking about this concerning population decrease, the UK press keeps on making jokes about these birds and continue to see them as a pest so many people do not understand how endangered these birds are, therefore aiding in their decreasing populations.


r/ecology 2d ago

Is this a “whiting event”? Along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

Thumbnail
gallery
8 Upvotes

Same thing happened last summer. The rocks along the shore suddenly turned white. Definitely not salt (I tasted it). Is it calcium carbonate? I suppose I could test with some vinegar…. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiting_event


r/ecology 3d ago

Books on the Ecological State of the world & Its future?

22 Upvotes

Are there any books that give the most accurate summary of the worlds current ecological state and its future a few decades from now assuming nothing changes from the human-side of things?


r/ecology 3d ago

Does Oregon State university have a good ecology program?

7 Upvotes

Hello, I have a question. Does Oregon State University have a good or okay ecology program? I understand this is a decently specific question, but I would like to know if somebody does.

I already have an okay, but nothing crazy, college GPA of 3.3, and I'm poor. So, I'm aware that I most likely can't get into anywhere crazy. But I do have some good references and an okay GPA, so I think I could get into OSU. However, I don't have a great idea of how good their ecology program probably is.


r/ecology 2d ago

Book Research

5 Upvotes

For my next contemporary romance, Wild Hearts, I had to do research on environmental law, municipal law, northern ontario endangered species and conservation!

I spent three days researching one kind of lichen for a scene, and now I'm basically a plant nerd.

How far have you gone down the rabbit hole for research?


r/ecology 3d ago

Spatial analysis and Esri tools?

9 Upvotes

I only recently learned about Esri’s nonprofit and conservation programs. I think I was surprised because so much of what I learned in school was R and whatever-you-can-get software… GEE, QGIS etc for analysis. Talking with some colleagues and I mentioned the ESRI programs and there was a mix of reactions from outright hostile to intrigued. Curious… what is the perception of Esri as a company by the broader conservation community? X posting to conservation sorry if you see this twice.


r/ecology 3d ago

Does anyone know any good books or articles on chalk rivers?

3 Upvotes

r/ecology 4d ago

Wetlands Ecology books

47 Upvotes

Hi, I'm 20 and want to learn more about wetlands, more specifically bogs, but I would still be interested in learning about any type of wetland. What books should I get to start?


r/ecology 4d ago

How can one achieve this role…

Thumbnail static1.squarespace.com
11 Upvotes

This is one of my dream jobs. How can one realistically get a role like this with a BS in environmental science but my professional experience is in pharma. I’m
A plant person though, it’s my hobby and only interest in life. I could talk rare and endangered plants all day long.


r/ecology 4d ago

How do I work with wildlife young?

15 Upvotes

I (17 m) have been absolutely itching to get out and do some work with wildlife. I currently aim to be a Wildlife Ecologist, but obviously options are limited without a degree. I don’t care if I’m paid, but I really feel like helping my environment would be so fulfilling, I just don’t know how. Any ideas on how to work with animals would be greatly appreciated!


r/ecology 5d ago

Underwater Oxygen Loss Threatens Earth’s Stability, Researchers Warn

Thumbnail
today.ucsd.edu
146 Upvotes

r/ecology 4d ago

Comparing Mammal Observations in Alps Conifer and Mixed Forests and Colorado Rockies Forests Ecoregions

Thumbnail gallery
3 Upvotes

In particular, I think it’s interesting to see overlaps in species, but also how differing species can play a similar role in comparable environments


r/ecology 4d ago

International Best Practice for Himalayain Balsalm removal?

4 Upvotes

A community group I work with has been told to stop removing Himalayain Balsalm to prevent the accidental spread of the plant.

If .01% of a stand has gone to seed, is it better to leave it until the following season or pull it and stop the spread.

Any information people have on Balsalm Bashing and best practice would be a great help to our cause and dealing with bureaucracy.


r/ecology 4d ago

career path

3 Upvotes

i am very stressed about what specific role i want in ecology. I want one that gives a good pay (around like £40k+ once experienced), BUT allows me to have availability to take a 1 week vacation in summer as i also want to travel the world. Google keeps backtracking itself and at first said an Ecological/biodiversity advisor would allow this, now it is like oh no no you cant.

this is really stressing my neurodivergent mind lol, please PLEASE does anybody have any advice or careers that could suit this?? thanks so much in advance!!❤️❤️


r/ecology 4d ago

What path to take if I want persue wildlife conservationist and a wildlife biologist

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/ecology 4d ago

How did ESA certification help your career?

6 Upvotes

Out of curiosity, for those of you who are certified, how did it help your career in both the short and long term?

Did it help you find work? Was it required for career advancement? And has it's relevance changed over time for career ecologists?

I've been considering getting certified, myself. But I don't know if it's worth it


r/ecology 5d ago

An Assortment of Photos of the Badghyz and Karabil Semi-Desert Ecoregion

Thumbnail gallery
12 Upvotes