The hottest Ecology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Hanky-Panky in the Sea

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 24 Feb 22
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Rockfish have a unique way of mating that involves a dance and internal fertilization, which leads to them producing many offspring. Some can even reproduce at over 100 years old!
  2. Geoducks are known for their impressive reproductive abilities, releasing millions of eggs after males eject sperm into the water. They can produce these for over a century as well.
  3. Olympia oysters are hermaphrodites, starting life as males and switching between genders based on their environment. This means they have a different way of reproducing compared to other sea creatures.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #100

Creative Destruction • 15 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Ecology
  1. Ecotrauma highlights how everything in nature connects and shows the lasting impact of events like the Big Bang on our world today. It's about recognizing that trauma is not just the past, but something we live with in our environment.
  2. In today's digital age, social media creates an echo chamber that can limit true originality. We often only see reflections of our own interests online, which can stifle creativity and make us crave something new and genuine.
  3. The rise of AI challenges us to rethink our own human thoughts and behaviors. We should strive to keep our thinking unique and avoid becoming too robotic in our approach to life.

Of Acorns and Oaks and Ants

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 14 Oct 21
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology
  1. Acorns are a great food source for many animals and even humans. They're high in carbs, protein, and fat, making them a nutritious option.
  2. Some ants live inside acorns, using them as homes after other creatures have left. They clean out the empty acorns and set up their colonies there.
  3. Oaks are important trees that have been part of human culture for a long time. They provide beauty with their fall colors and have fascinating connections to history and nature.

Clam Slamming

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 29 Sep 21
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Gulls drop clams from heights to crack them open, showing they learn and get better at doing this as they grow older. They choose harder surfaces to help break the clams more easily.
  2. Crows also use a similar technique to open walnuts and adjust their drop heights based on how many times they have already dropped the nut. This shows their intelligence in problem-solving.
  3. Sometimes, using this dropping method can lead to accidents, like when a poet was supposedly killed by a turtle dropped by an eagle. It's a reminder to be careful about falling objects!

Of Douglas fir and History

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 79 implied HN points • 19 Mar 21
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Douglas fir trees are not just beautiful; they play a significant role in the natural history of their environment. People can connect with nature by observing the wildlife that feeds and nests in these majestic trees.
  2. The naming of the Douglas fir reflects a rich history of exploration and study, showing how different cultures, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, have interacted with and valued the tree. Names can tell us stories about a place and its people.
  3. Learning the scientific names of plants can make people feel more connected to nature. It encourages curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the natural world around us.
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Hair Ice

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 79 implied HN points • 26 Feb 21
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Hair ice is a unique ice formation that looks like fine white hair and is created by a winter-active fungus called Exidiopsis effusa. It grows on decaying wood and is visible in certain cold conditions.
  2. The fungus helps to shape the hair ice by breaking down lignin in the wood, allowing the ice to grow in a delicate, curly form. This process demonstrates a fascinating relationship between nature and fungi.
  3. Hair ice can only be found in a specific northern latitude range and adds beauty to winter walks, reminding us to appreciate the small wonders in nature around us.

Cemeteries: A Great Place for Geodorks

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 19 Aug 21
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Cemeteries are interesting places for geology lovers. You can find unique rocks and stones used in tombstones that tell stories about the local geology.
  2. Different styles of tombstones, like treestumps, have special meanings. They often include symbols that represent aspects of life, such as doves for peace or frogs for resurrection.
  3. Visiting cemeteries can be a calming experience. They offer quiet spaces to explore nature, observe wildlife, and enjoy beautiful sights like lichens and weathered stones.

Whither the Storks of Alsace ?

Euro Desk Paris • 19 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Storks in Alsace, France may be changing their migratory patterns due to various factors like climate change and human influence.
  2. The presence of storks in a region can be influenced by micro-climates and environmental conditions that affect their behavior.
  3. Understanding the impact of changing climates on migratory birds like storks is crucial for conservation efforts and wildlife management.

The ultra-selfish gene

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 13 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Gene editing technology, especially CRISPR/Cas9, offers powerful ways to potentially eliminate malaria by modifying the mosquitoes that spread it. This could save millions of lives.
  2. Selfish genetic elements can alter inheritance patterns within populations, which may allow a single gene edit to spread rapidly through an entire species, potentially causing significant ecological changes.
  3. While gene drives could provide solutions to public health issues, their release carries risks. There’s a need for careful monitoring and potential reversal strategies to prevent unintended consequences.

The Street Smart Naturalist

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 39 implied HN points • 20 Jan 22
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. The writer enjoys creating newsletters that let them explore human and natural history. They see it as a fun way to connect with a community.
  2. They plan to keep the newsletter free but are offering paid subscriptions for those who want to support their work. Subscriptions come with extra benefits.
  3. The writer encourages readers to engage more by commenting and suggesting story ideas. They look forward to future topics and interactions.

Tales from the Field Part 1

A Biologist's Guide to Life • 26 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.
  2. Field work in ecology involves getting close to organisms to study them in their natural habitat.
  3. Every data point in ecology involves a living thing and an ecologist immersed in nature.

Antipode – Chapter 24

Natural Selections • 3 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Frogs like the Mantella laevigata are very social and complex animals. They have unique ways of courting and parenting, which include choosing the best spots for their eggs and protecting their young.
  2. In Madagascar, there are no dangerous snakes, but natural elements like water and lightning pose real risks. Traveling and working in remote areas can make emergencies harder to manage.
  3. Living in a different culture helps you see life from a new perspective. You realize the essentials and find that people everywhere share similar joys and struggles.

Herring

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 39 implied HN points • 26 Mar 21
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Herring spawning events are vital to Puget Sound's ecosystem and attract a variety of wildlife. These events help connect the food chain and support many animals, both sea life and birds.
  2. Each female herring can lay a huge number of eggs, which provide food for young fish and other creatures. This means herring play a crucial role in nourishing the local food web.
  3. Herring are not only important for marine life but also for Indigenous communities. They have been a key food source for these communities historically and continue to be significant today.

Boundaries

Natural Selections • 6 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology
  1. Nature often defies clear boundaries. Things like rivers and lakes change over time, making it hard to say exactly where one starts and another ends.
  2. Humans try to impose strict borders on nature, like property lines, but those boundaries can fail. Nature is fluid and doesn't always fit into our definitions.
  3. The idea of what makes an individual can be fuzzy too. Our actions and connections blend with those of others, showing that we are part of a larger network.

A Newsletter About Climate Solutions (yes those, but mostly the other kind)

As If We Were Staying • 4 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology
  1. The newsletter focuses on finding and creating alternatives to climate-related issues, aiming for a positive future. It's important to think about how we can improve the world rather than just focusing on problems.
  2. The creator has experience in both science and climate action, blending knowledge of biology and technology with grassroots climate solutions. This combination of backgrounds helps in understanding complex environmental challenges.
  3. The writing aims to tackle both technical solutions and the emotional aspects of climate change, encouraging readers not to give up and to stay engaged in sustainable practices. It emphasizes the importance of resilience and community in addressing these issues.

Things That Caught My Eye #8:

Natural Selections • 4 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Indigenous people often fed muscle meat to their dogs, focusing on eating nutrient-rich organs instead. This shows they had important knowledge about nutrition that many of us overlook today.
  2. The skeletons of large game animals were usually found as broken bone chips, which indicates a careful use of all parts of the animal for nutrition, especially the marrow.
  3. There is a curiosity about whether Earth ever had a ring like the other large planets in our Solar System, and this raises questions about our planet's history.

A Most Curious Slug

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 04 Nov 21
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. The slug _Arion rufus_ is often seen as a garden pest today, but it was once considered an intriguing species. In the past, scientists like Tracey Storer appreciated its uniqueness and collected it for study.
  2. This slug was first spotted in Detroit in 1912 and has since spread to other areas like Seattle, where it has become a common problem for gardeners.
  3. Despite being viewed negatively, slugs have interesting adaptations, such as their ability to cover themselves in slime for protection. Some people are even starting to be kinder to them instead of killing them outright.

Bad News for Bugs in Bogs

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 12 Aug 21
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. A new plant called Triantha occidentalis can trap bugs using sticky hairs. It's sneaky because it doesn't look like usual carnivorous plants, which usually have noticeable traps.
  2. This plant gets nutrients by digesting the insects it catches. It produces an enzyme to help break down its tiny meals.
  3. Unlike many carnivorous plants, Triantha's trapping hairs are near its flowers, but they only catch small bugs. This way, it can still attract bigger bugs that help it pollinate.

Terror of the Docks

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 15 Jul 21
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Teredo clams, often called shipworms, are actually bivalve clams that eat wood. They can cause significant damage to wooden structures, like piers, making them a big problem for dock builders.
  2. These clams have been around for thousands of years, munching through wood in many parts of the world. Their destructive nature has been noted by writers and maritime workers throughout history.
  3. Modern efforts to control shipworm damage include using less wood in construction. Despite past challenges, these clams are still here and likely will be part of our marine ecosystem for a long time.

Surf scoter

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 22 Apr 21
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. The surf scoter is a bird known by many different names, highlighting the variety of ways people refer to it. This shows how unique and interesting this bird is.
  2. Surf scoters are very active, especially in the morning and evening, diving for food like insects and crustaceans. They spend more time underwater than on the surface while feeding.
  3. During mating season, male surf scoters compete for the attention of a female in a dramatic display of courtship. The female chooses among them while they show off their skills in the water.

Puget Sound Quiz Answers

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 15 Apr 21
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. There are many fun facts about Puget Sound, including unique archaeological discoveries and local species that can live for over 200 years.
  2. Names of places in Puget Sound often reflect its history, including Spanish explorations and notable figures like Charles Wilkes.
  3. The impact of human activity on Puget Sound is significant, especially in terms of pollution, which negatively affects local wildlife like salmon and rockfish.

Young and Restless

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 12 Feb 21
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Seattle's geology is really active and always changing. This means the ground can shake, and the city’s landscape can shift unexpectedly.
  2. There are ancient clams found in Seattle that were pushed up from underwater due to an earthquake 1,100 years ago. This shows how powerful nature can be.
  3. People in Seattle are starting to realize how connected they are to the land’s history and geology. It's important to stay aware of the potential dangers that come with living in such a dynamic area.

What our local dam removal means for you

As If We Were Staying • 1 implied HN point • 02 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology
  1. Removing local dams can help restore natural river flows and improve fish populations, but it might also hurt nearby economies that depend on tourists and agriculture.
  2. Adapting to climate change is becoming more urgent, as the effects of warming and environmental policies impact communities in multiple ways.
  3. There are opportunities to create stronger local economies and ecosystems through ecological restoration and better water management practices.

Beyond Gay Birds: The Enchanting Worldview of Queer Ecology

As If We Were Staying • 1 implied HN point • 25 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Ecology
  1. Queer Ecology goes beyond just finding queer behavior in animals. It challenges our views on nature and encourages us to see connections and interdependence in all living things.
  2. This field of study highlights how our understanding of ecology has often been limited by narrow cultural perspectives. By considering diverse viewpoints, we can uncover a fuller picture of our natural world.
  3. It invites us to rethink our relationship with nature, moving from a stance of fear or indifference to one of wonder and respect. We can learn so much more when we appreciate the intelligence and connections present in non-human life.

Snakes and Singularities

Adjacent Possible • 1 HN point • 13 Mar 24
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. Snakes have evolved diverse traits through sudden phase shifts rather than incremental changes, expanding their adaptive possibilities significantly.
  2. Cultural and technological evolution also experience periods of sudden expansion and contraction of possibilities, akin to biological evolution's singularities.
  3. In addition to platform shifts, singularities in evolution can be driven by the emergence of single new traits leading to significant consequences in exploring new ecological niches.

What Is a Sustainable Future on a Planet in Upheaval?

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology
  1. We are already headed toward massive and unprecedented climate, ecological, and societal upheavals. Preventing the worst warming is still vital, but it won't stop all the disruption.
  2. Societies must 'ruggedize' for discontinuity by building climate defenses, reworking supply chains, planning for population movements, restoring ecosystems, and shifting where and how people live. These resilience efforts need to be central to government, business, community, and personal decisions.
  3. Climate action today is primarily harm reduction and about preserving future options rather than restoring old continuity. The most sustainable goal is to pass forward the widest set of good possibilities to future generations.

The Shock That Comes With Recognition

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology
  1. Recognition of a sudden change in the world can be shocking, especially when people are unprepared for it.
  2. Upcoming announcements include a book and a condensed class focused on readying ourselves for living in a changing world.
  3. Writing is becoming slower due to physical challenges, leading to a shift towards shorter, more frequent podcasts as an alternative.

Regenerative Design: Ecotech Policies

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology
  1. To sustain our environment, we need to enhance the interactions within ecosystems. By doing this, the waste we produce can be managed better and turned back into useful resources.
  2. We should focus on using more natural materials in our products, which will break down and help nourish the environment instead of creating pollution. For example, swapping plastic for biodegradable options like cardboard.
  3. Building designs can integrate more green elements, like plants and trees, to help manage temperature and purify air. This connects our structures back to nature and supports ecosystem health.

Regenerative Design: Biotic Sustainability

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology
  1. Sustainable populations need to manage their resources carefully to avoid ecological collapse. When a population grows too large for its environment, it can deplete resources and lead to a collapse.
  2. The circular economy concept aims to recycle resources and manage waste effectively, but it can be challenging due to the laws of thermodynamics. Living systems manage energy and waste in a way that avoids chaos and disorder.
  3. Ecosystems thrive on diversity. Different organisms can fill various roles and niches, helping to maintain balance and sustainability, while human systems often lack this necessary diversity to effectively manage waste.

No one wants it to be true.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology
  1. We all need to take responsibility for our future because our leaders have failed to act on climate change. It's not just someone else's problem anymore; it's up to each of us to find our own way through the chaos.
  2. Being prepared for climate challenges can help us build better lives for ourselves. Learning how to make smart choices about where we live and how we interact with our surroundings is crucial.
  3. There are strategies and solutions available to help us adapt to a changing world. It's important to act now, get informed, and connect with others to ensure a more secure future.

Is There a Way to Light the Path Forward?

Anima Mundi • 0 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology
  1. Civilization faces a double bind where continuing growth leads to ecological harm, but stopping may lead to suffering. We need to rethink our relationship with nature to avoid negative outcomes.
  2. Heliogenesis promotes using solar energy to create sustainable systems, like how plants use sunlight. This shift can help us build a society that nurtures both people and the environment.
  3. We should focus on designing technologies that heal the planet rather than harm it. By working together and valuing community, we can create a future that treasures well-being over consumption.

Flames of Fury: The Unrelenting Path of Wildfires

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology
  1. Wildfires are becoming more common and dangerous worldwide. Major events in countries like Portugal, Greece, and Australia have caused huge damage and loss of life.
  2. Climate change plays a big role in worsening wildfires. Increased heat and drought conditions, along with strong winds, make fires spread more quickly.
  3. To fight wildfires effectively, we need to address climate change. This means cutting down on pollution, using renewable energy, and adopting better land management practices.

The Business of De-Extinction: Can it Save Species or Will it Fail?

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
🔬 Science Ecology
  1. De-extinction is a hot topic and some companies are getting a lot of money for it, like Colossal Biosciences, which is valued at over ten billion dollars. This shows that there is interest in trying to save endangered species.
  2. Every year, many species are going extinct, with estimates saying between 10,000 and 100,000 species each year. This mass extinction has huge impacts on our economy and environment.
  3. While de-extinction is an exciting idea, stopping climate change and reducing fossil fuel use is a more effective way to save the most species and the planet overall.