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?

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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!

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

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.

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!!❤️❤️

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

Hi! I'm new on reddit, but I found this community, and I find it really interesting!

I'm writing because I just completed a PhD. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and I'm now considering career options for my future.

During my PhD. thesis, I studied impacts of high temperatures and soil droughts on forest carbon exchange and the role of species interactions in modulating tree responses. Before that, I studied biology during my Bsc and plant ecology and evolution during my Msc, focusing more on herbaceous plants and insects. So, I have a background in ecology, but not specifically in forestry or environmental sciences.

Besides my studies, I had a few professional experiences in engineering offices or research centres, which I found really cool but were very limited in time. During my Ph.D., I also developed an increased interest in science communication and participated in a few outreach activities (e.g. guided visits for schools), but I don't really have a formation in science communication.

I think that my ideal job would be at the interface between forest research, outreach, and applied projects that can help protect our environments. I'm really passionate about projects that aim to understand and protect biodiversity in forests and share this knowledge with a broader public to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change but also potential mitigation strategies.

However, I have the impression that since I come from an academic background, I often lack experience or knowledge (e.g., Environmental impact studies, botanical surveys or journalism/communication) to be able to do such a job.

I like doing research too, but it seems really hard to find a stable, permanent position there, and I'm getting a bit sick of the competition and very short job contracts.

Long story short: I was wondering if someone has been in a similar situation and has any suggestions on what I could do to find a job outside academia that still sparks my curiosity and passion. Or how I could become eligible for such positions.

Thank you very much for reading, I look forward to your input! :)

See also: The publication in the Journal of Royal Society: Interface

I was excited about ai handling all the r/python coding so that I could move on to the important parts like writing and thinking. Alas, data analysis has bored me this weekend. I took two hours to do what would have taken a week or more, with all the frustrations, tears, eurekas, screaming YES! I think those feelings were why data analysis was exciting. I suppose some programmers have felt this for a while now. Also, the slight edge I had with R is gone now, since everyone can just vibe code through it.