/r/ecology

Photograph via snooOG

Ecology (from Greek: οἶκος, "house"; -λογία, "study of") is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their biophysical environment.

Ecology (from Greek: οἶκος, "house"; -λογία, "study of") is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. This is the place to be when you want to discuss anything related to ecology!

If your submission is not related to ecological science or if it's not predominantly in English, expect it to be removed. In particular, environmental activism submissions belong in /r/environment or somewhere else.

Your post will probably be removed by the moderators if:

  • Is a /r/HomeworkHelp style question. If you are not a student then please state explicitly why you are asking the question

  • is a climate change post that is not focussed on one or more species. There are already numerous CC subreddits (that you can find in our sidebar), and also this sub would quickly get drowned out by this sort of content.

  • Your title does not adequately describe the content

  • Is a fundraising campaign/effort

  • Is a petition

  • Is a low effort image macro/meme post


What does ecology have to do with me?

Common Terms

Where Can I Go For More Information or Assistance?


Check out our Books about Ecology and Related Fields in the /r/ecology wiki books section


And view our Job Guides and Resources in the /r/ecology wiki jobs section

biscuitman76's guide to finding a job in ecology


/r/ecology supports the National Forest Foundation! Please share your support and DONATE HERE! If you have any questions regarding NFF, email Hannah: hettema AT nationalforests DOT org


Click here for a list of related subreddits!.

For updates to the wiki or the sidebar, or for anything else, please message the mods.

/r/ecology

84,885 Subscribers

1

Searching for career advice: Transitioning from the field to a statistician?

Since graduating college in 2017 I've done a wide array of wildlife field work mostly with birds. Recently I've been searching for graduate programs and all of the most promising options won't start until 2025 at the earliest. Since I don't have a field job lined up I figured it would nice be take a position that focuses on skills needed out of the field.

Since I already know to code R programming along with some of the fundamental statistics needed for wildlife managment (occupancy models & GLMs) this seems to be the best route for me. I've seen a few positions that I believe I'm a good fit posted on the job boards I frequent but never got a reply. I have a brief blog post detailing a coding project to serve as a proof of my abilities. Anyone have experience transitioning from the field to the office? Are there better job boards than A&M and conservation for finding entry level statistics that don't require a masters?

2 Comments
2024/03/01
16:37 UTC

1

Evenness indices and sampling and migration

Do you know about any new or good methods of mitigating the effects of uneven sampling when applying evenness indices like Shannon's or McIntosh's? Say that I want to compare temporal changes in evenness between two localities.

Also, could changes in evenness be used as a proxy for migration patterns over time?

0 Comments
2024/03/01
15:08 UTC

13

What would happen if all the birds died?

I know bird populations are hugely decreasing due to habitat loss and climate change but what will happen if/ when they all die out? How will it affect the earth, and the food chain and humanity?

18 Comments
2024/03/01
10:53 UTC

58

The current Texas grassland fire is the largest in the states history. Why did it grow so big?

Anyone with some background knowledge on what’s going on?

21 Comments
2024/03/01
00:21 UTC

9

Invasive pests: which trees are truly at risk of functional extinction? Eastern US focus, but share info from anywhere.

17 Comments
2024/02/29
14:06 UTC

3

Looking for an intersection of literature degree with ecology and zoology.

I am a literature major and I have keen interest in nature. I want to work for some PhD scholars from the field of zoology or ecology but I am not sure how my skills will be helpful for them. I will be grateful if u could let me know about specified things I should be targetting for in my proposal or if u could tell me the ways a literature major might be of any help to them.

9 Comments
2024/02/29
13:54 UTC

7

My video explainer giving a brief overview of the current state of wildlife loss!

0 Comments
2024/02/29
12:01 UTC

0

Gender inequality in Ecology

Do you think there is a gender inequality problem in Ecology? If so, why? In Ecology industry the 64.5% of scientists being men and 35.5% being women. Do you think it should change to being 50, 50?

Edit: so, there is more women than men in this field? I guess, I got the wrong information, it was just the first thing popped up on my google search. I’m doing a school assignment about gender inequality in ecology field. So, please if you have more information on this topic feel free to share it. And is it true that men receive more salary than women? If so, why?

For those who’s asking where I found the ecology gender statistics resource from:

https://www.zippia.com/ecologist-jobs/demographics/#:~:text=Ecologist%20gender%20statistics,64.5%25%20of%20ecologists%20are%20men.

63 Comments
2024/02/29
04:52 UTC

8

for soil and/or worm enthusiasts: for vermicomposting, is it ok to collect worms from my local area or should i buy them?

title. i’m putting together a worm bin and i don’t want to mess anything up by nabbing worms from the sidewalk when it rains — is it better to do that or just to buy a sack of them?

9 Comments
2024/02/28
20:57 UTC

6

Link between animal size and natural scarcity?

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about this? It's always been my understanding (admittedly not really based on anything but what I think is logical) that larger animals are generally more scarce/have lower populations than smaller animals, so overall the scales would be balanced, so to say.

I've been reading and thinking a bit about using biomass specifically as a measurement of populations, rather than number of individuals. In my mind it makes sense, as bigger animals naturally have smaller populations than smaller animals, so using a measurement such as biomass should balance out? But I'm struggling to find anything that backs this up from some lazy searches while at work.

Bit of background context - in the UK (during peek season), introduced game birds (pheasants and red-legged partridge) make up ~50% of the UKs bird biomass. Game managers/shooting groups try to defend this by saying biomass is a poor measurement since these are relatively big, heavy birds, so skew the data. But to me, it only amplifies the issue as ordinarily these birds would be in much smaller numbers that the biomass would balance out against much more abundant, smaller species?

Obviously there will be exceptions, and giving a realistic measurement of this despite the amount human interference will be almost impossible (I.e. artificially high/low numbers of specific species), but overall is there anything that backs up my belief?

11 Comments
2024/02/28
15:06 UTC

4

Torn between ecology and clean energy careers

For years I've been torn about which career direction to pursue. I've always had a deep love for the natural environment, and this convinced me that whatever career I choose, I want to help address climate change. So I decided the best way to do that was to work in clean energy. I locked in on this decision and have since had several jobs in different energy sectors (over 4 years). However, each role has felt like a bit of a drag. I'm not really excited to answer engineering questions or learn more about some design approach and engineer correlation unlike many of my peers (but maybe this is because work is well, work?). I feel like I'm at a crossroads now where I could pivot a little bit to energy systems engineering - how transmission, water systems, climate, energy policy all work together - which is a bit more interesting to me compared to designing a component (like wind turbine, etc). Or I could make a bigger career change towards ecology / environmental science now and pursue work that investigates questions I really am curious about regarding interactions in the natural world and responses to climate change. This feels like a step back, financially and career-wise, having made it to an intermediate level in the clean energy industry...

I realize this is all over the place, but to be more specific, I would love to hear your thoughts on...

- The reality of careers in ecology (maybe it's not as rosy as I think). What does your day-to-day look like? Does curiosity play a role in your work? Do you feel like your work is impactful?

- Also from researching ecology career and education opportunities, it seems as though there's more funding in Europe. Is this accurate? Does the US undervalue ecology compared to other countries? Is it more financially feasible to be an ecologist outside the US?

- On a career pivot later in life (later 20's)

Any thoughts and advice - related to these questions or not - would be greatly appreciated!

5 Comments
2024/02/28
04:10 UTC

2

What requirements do I need in order to get into a graduate college for masters?

I am in my first year second semster of college and unfortunately I am not doing so well for Chemistry and Calculus 2 and I am wondering how much do these classes effect my graduation and getting opportunities to get into any opportunities as well as getting into a graduate college for masters. I am in a UC as well.

22 Comments
2024/02/28
03:41 UTC

3

Interview prep - freshwater fish ID (Ontario, Canada)

Does anyone have some good tips or resources for brushing up on fish ID for a job interview?

I completed my first contract last summer doing e-fishing and seining surveys so I got some hands on practice but I’m a little rusty and there will most likely be an ID test.

I have the ROM ID book and notes from my previous job but some practice quizzes of some sort would be ideal.

Thanks in advance!

3 Comments
2024/02/28
01:11 UTC

0

Less animal farming = less CO2 and methane? Debate.

I've been weighing in the idea of becoming vegan lately, and I was doing my share of research regarding some of the reasons why would I go this path. Although I agree that people should have less fats and animal proteins in their diets for their own health, I have my doubts whether drastically reducing the number and intensiveness of animal farms would indeed contribute to less CO2 and methane released into the atmosphere.

I agree that a drastic reduction/elimination of animal farms in agriculture would free lots of land, workers, machinery and would eliminate hundreds of millions of animals who produce methane and CO2. However, the zoo-biomass on any given surface is constant. If there are plants for animals to feed on a given land surface, you can eliminate the cattle and the sheep, and deers, rabbits and mice will take their place, together with plenty other organisms. So people will lose a part of their diet in favour of wildlife, while the general CO2 and methane balance would be similar. Nature finds ways to make use of these resources.

So, is my theory plausible? Am I missing something?

46 Comments
2024/02/27
22:29 UTC

0

Exciting Opportunity: Senior Terrestrial Ecologist at the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, University of Alberta

Hello r/Ecology community!

We're thrilled to share a unique job opportunity for a Senior Terrestrial Ecologist at the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI), hosted by the University of Alberta. This role offers the chance to contribute significantly to biodiversity monitoring and research in Alberta. If you're passionate about terrestrial ecosystems and looking for an impactful career move, this might be perfect for you!

Role Highlights:

  • Position: Senior Terrestrial Ecologist
  • Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada (Hybrid - Remote & In-Person at North Campus)
  • Type: Full-time, Grant Funded
  • Term: 1 year plus 1 day, with the possibility of extension
  • Salary: $73,849 to $102,918 per year, plus a comprehensive benefits package

About the Role: As a Senior Terrestrial Ecologist with ABMI, you'll lead efforts to monitor and assess the condition of Alberta's terrestrial ecosystems. This role is critical in providing data and insights that guide conservation and land management decisions across the province. You'll work within a dynamic team of scientists and researchers committed to understanding and preserving biodiversity.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design and implement terrestrial ecosystem monitoring programs.
  • Analyze data and contribute to scientific research on biodiversity trends.
  • Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to communicate findings and recommendations.

We're Looking for Someone Who:

  • Holds an advanced degree (PhD preferred) in ecology, environmental science, or a related field.
  • Has extensive experience in terrestrial ecology, fieldwork, and data analysis.
  • Demonstrates strong leadership and project management skills.
  • Is passionate about conservation and has a track record of scientific publications.

Why Join Us?

  • Make a real-world impact on conservation and biodiversity in Alberta.
  • Collaborate with leading scientists and researchers at the University of Alberta and beyond.
  • Enjoy a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Interested in making a difference in Alberta's ecosystems? Learn more and apply here: https://www.careers.ualberta.ca/Competition/S104852577/

Feel free to ask any questions or share this post with someone who might be the perfect fit for this role. We're looking forward to welcoming a passionate and skilled ecologist to our team!

Thank you for your interest and for supporting biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts.

1 Comment
2024/02/27
20:49 UTC

1

CIEEM Qualifying member - worth joining?

I am a ranger currently building my ecology experience. Plan to get into conservation/biodiversity/environmental officer position. Is joining CIEEM as a Qualifying member worth it? If so, what are the best benefits?

6 Comments
2024/02/27
20:18 UTC

3

Are presence/absence bird surveys good practice or shall I collect abundance data? (Ecology logbook - practicing field skills)

I have recently done lots of presence absence bird surveys and was thinking about keeping a log book towards showing CPD and showcasing my survey skills. Is it good practice or shall I focus on abundance data?

5 Comments
2024/02/27
18:10 UTC

13

Ratite niche in North America

Between emus, rheas, ostriches, and bustards it seems like most grassland ecosystems have some kind of heavy omnivorous bird majestically prowling around. Where is the North American equivalent? Was there a prehistoric ratite equivalent that ruled the Great plains? What species fills that niche in North America in either past or present ecosystems? Thanks for your time.

12 Comments
2024/02/27
00:21 UTC

7

The rewards of native plant gardening

https://www.oldgrowth.ca/the-rewards-of-native-plant-gardening/

This might have new ideas, or could just be a good recap with nice photos if you're already well-versed in the topic. In any case its a conversation we need to keep having.

1 Comment
2024/02/26
16:22 UTC

26

Ecological Impact of the War in Ukraine

If you want to know about the impact of the of war on the environment, ecology, and people of Ukraine check out this free webinar series Penn State. It’s ten parts and will touch on topics like how ecosystems have responded to dams being destroyed, demining efforts parks, handling wildfire while at war, and how fire caused by fighting in Chornobyl Exclusion Zone has impacted public health.

All of the webinars are free and recorded; if you don’t catch them live, you can watch them at anytime. 15/22 presenters are Ukrainian. There will be experts from NGOs on the ground (like FSD and Halo Trust), Ukrainian universities, research centers, and the Ukrainian Forest Service.

1 Comment
2024/02/25
02:10 UTC

6

Prospective Ecologist; a Few Questions

Baby Ecologist here looking for some general advice! I don't really know where to start haha.

A short background: I just finished up a vocational degree in IT last year before realizing that not only is the industry much dryer than I'd thought, but it's something that I don't really want to pursue further. It's fine, just not my passion.
Now I realize Ecology itself (along with a lot of biology disciplines) is an extremely competitive field due to lack of positions. But this is something that I really, really want to do. And I'm too stubborn to go down another career path that I think will be lucrative only to come out and everything's changed, and I'm much less apt to fight tooth and nail for something I don't even care about.

I would love to work or even study abroad but I'm not sure how viable an option that is for me. (USA, monolingual, middle class) I'm not tied down by anything here, but it's cost that would be an issue.

There's 3 relevant secondary majors in the community college I'm looking at's AA;
Environmental studies, Forestry, and Biology. (Tentatively applied for Environmental studies, but International study still pulls me... Though I'm unsure how foreign degrees are recognized in the US)
Specifically I'd love to study climate change and how it's affected evolution and biodiversity in ecosystems. Would my specific focus get in the way of more popular work? (ie. Bat Surveying and Consulting) Are work aspects abroad better than the US? Is there a significant salary/employment security difference between a Bachelors and Masters/Doctorate degrees?

Any advice, experiences or resources would be deeply appreciated. Lots of questions, I know. It took a lot of spaghetti thrown at the wall to realize I need to buck up, and Do The Thing I Love Dammit! I just want to go about this in the most efficient, informed way possible.

12 Comments
2024/02/25
00:56 UTC

3

Good national park/conservational summer internships

Im an undergrad student who wants to apply for some summer internships but I have no clue which ones are good in general and for real experience in the field.

1 Comment
2024/02/24
19:42 UTC

3

Failing chemistry please help

Im majoring in ecological restoration and rangeland management. I enjoy math and im decent at it despite my grades not being amazing i do put in the work and do my best, however i am straight up flunking chemistry. I love sciences and aced my other science classes but for some reason this is the hardest subject for me. Anyone have any success with non conventional approaches to this subject? any resources like videos/movies/blogs/podcasts that make chemistry click for you is gonna be so helpful i really appreciate it!

6 Comments
2024/02/24
18:41 UTC

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