The hottest Ecosystems Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Genetically Modified Weeds

Doomberg • 7451 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Roundup and Roundup Ready GMO seeds let farmers spray one broad-spectrum herbicide over crops, making weed control much simpler and hugely profitable for seed and chemical companies.
  2. Heavy use of glyphosate created major problems. Health concerns led to global litigation after the WHO called it 'probably carcinogenic', and corporate fallout reshaped the industry.
  3. Relying on the same herbicides across huge acreages produced resistant weeds, and now spreading 'superweeds' threaten current farming systems; pairing new GMO traits with more chemicals often encouraged even more over-the-top spraying, which worsened resistance.

The Pando Edition

Why is this interesting? • 784 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Pando isn’t a forest of separate trees but one giant organism made of many trunks sprouting from a shared underground root system.
  2. It challenges the idea of an individual. What looks like many trees behaves like a single, redundant system—like a server farm or RAID array—where visible parts can be swapped while hidden infrastructure keeps things running.
  3. Even resilient systems have limits; human actions like fire suppression and unchecked deer populations are stressing Pando and could push its redundancy past a breaking point.

Where to Build in Crypto

DeFi Education • 799 implied HN points • 17 Aug 24
🔮 Crypto Ecosystems
  1. There aren't many builders in the crypto space, making each person's contribution significant. With about 7,600 full-time developers, what you create can really shape the future of crypto.
  2. Choosing the right ecosystem is crucial for your project. Ethereum has the most liquidity for DeFi, but Solana offers advantages for certain uses, so it really depends on your goals.
  3. The competition among Layer 2 solutions on Ethereum brings both benefits and challenges. They can be fast and cheap, but also create complexity and can be centralized, affecting the overall developer experience.

Shape-Shifting Planet: How Rising Heat Is Reshaping Life on Earth

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Global temperatures have risen rapidly in recent decades, producing the hottest years on record and pushing warming toward and beyond pre-industrial levels.
  2. Rising heat is already forcing biological changes — animals and plants are shifting ranges, changing body size and breeding times, and showing genetic responses to survive higher temperatures.
  3. If warming continues, habitat loss, higher mortality, and widespread coral bleaching will worsen. Continued burning of fossil fuels is a main driver and reducing it is needed to avoid the worst impacts.

Buzzzzzzzzz

The Crucial Years • 2959 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Insect populations are declining rapidly, mainly due to climate change and shifting weather patterns. This affects entire ecosystems since many animals, like birds, rely on insects for food.
  2. Solar farms are proving to be beneficial for both insects and birds. They provide a safe habitat where insects can thrive, which in turn helps increase bird populations in those areas.
  3. Using solar panels on farmland could replace inefficient corn production while providing all the energy the U.S. needs. This shift can help combat climate change and support biodiversity.
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Seaflooding

Uncharted Territories • 3930 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Seaflooding can help mitigate the impact of rising sea levels while creating new habitats and boosting the economy.
  2. Flooded areas can lead to the growth of vibrant ecosystems, capturing carbon and attracting wildlife.
  3. Potential locations for seaflooding include the Dead Sea and the Sahara desert, with benefits such as lowering ocean levels and increasing economic activity.

L.A. Was Built to Burn

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4363 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Los Angeles is built in a way that fire is part of its natural environment. This means wildfires will keep happening regardless of who is in charge.
  2. The area has a history of being described as a grassland, not a desert, and fires are a normal part of this ecosystem.
  3. Some experts believe that certain areas in L.A. should never have been developed because they are prone to burning, making homes there very risky.

The North American Fire Deficit

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 2345 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. North America is experiencing a significant 'fire deficit', meaning that the amount of land burning now is much lower than in the past. Even with recent fire years, the area burned is still far less than historical averages.
  2. The study suggests that aggressive fire suppression and land changes caused by human activities are major reasons for this fire deficit. This has led to more severe fires when they do occur because there is more fuel buildup in the forests.
  3. To manage future fires better, the study recommends increasing prescribed burning and using fire as a natural part of forest ecosystems. This approach could help reduce the severity of wildfires and improve the health of the forests.

How Hangzhou Spawned Deepseek and Unitree

ChinaTalk • 978 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Ecosystems
  1. Hangzhou is becoming a tech hub in China with companies like DeepSeek and Unitree, but it has different strengths compared to Silicon Valley. Instead of having major venture capital and elite talent, it relies on local government support and a flexible approach to innovation.
  2. While Hangzhou lacks the same level of university-industry connections and industrial history as Silicon Valley, it has created a unique environment where small companies can thrive without being overshadowed by big state-backed firms.
  3. The success of Hangzhou's tech scene highlights how different regions can have their own paths to innovation, showing that there's not just one way to build a successful tech ecosystem.

The Whale Fall Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1870 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🔬 Science Ecosystems
  1. When a whale dies and sinks to the ocean floor, it becomes a feast for many sea creatures. This event leads to a chaotic but vital ecosystem around the whale carcass.
  2. After larger scavengers eat their fill, bacteria step in to break down the whale's body, turning it into nutrients for other life forms. This process creates a thriving community in a place that usually has little life.
  3. The cycle of life and death in the ocean shows that nothing goes to waste. Even in death, a whale can support new life for decades, reminding us that everything in nature is interconnected.

Building an operating system for Earth

The Novelleist • 304 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. We need a new way to understand and respond to Earth's changes, using real-time data to prevent disasters before they happen. This would help us adjust our actions based on what the planet is experiencing right now.
  2. By gathering people from different fields—like scientists, artists, and leaders—we can work together to make better decisions for the planet. This teamwork can help us focus on what actually works instead of just arguing ideologies.
  3. The future can be shaped by using technology that helps us see the consequences of our actions beforehand. If we can visualize outcomes, we can choose paths that lead to a healthier planet.

Shifting Habitats: the Great Animal Migration due to Climate Change

Adetokunbo Sees • 312 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Many animals, like mosquitoes and fish, are moving north because of climate change. They're trying to find better places to live as their old homes become too warm.
  2. Birds and insects are arriving at their breeding spots earlier each year due to rising temperatures. This can lead to them missing food supplies when they need them most.
  3. To help migratory species survive, we need to lower greenhouse gas emissions and switch to renewable energy. Working together globally is important to tackle this problem.

We can terraform the Earth—not just Mars

The Novelleist • 380 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. We have the technology and creativity to improve our planet, not just Mars. Projects like reforesting deserts are proof that we can restore ecosystems and make uninhabitable areas livable.
  2. Innovations in geoengineering allow us to control weather and climate. This means we can potentially cool down our planet, make it rain where needed, and reduce the effects of climate change.
  3. By shifting away from livestock farming and using plant-based alternatives, we can free up land for other uses. This could allow us to create new forests, cities, and renewable energy sources.

Glacial Gardens

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 319 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Glacier retreat creates unique landscapes with rocks and rubble that offer a constantly changing environment. Walking on these surfaces can be tricky and shows how glaciers shape the land.
  2. Despite being on glaciers, there are surprising ecosystems with plants and wildlife. These plants show that life can flourish in unexpected places, even in harsh conditions.
  3. Debris-covered glaciers may serve as safe havens for plants and animals as the climate warms. They can help species survive by providing a cooler habitat as they migrate to higher ground.

Rising Tides, Falling Freshwater: The Saltwater Intrusion Crisis

Adetokunbo Sees • 312 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Saltwater intrusion is a growing problem worldwide, affecting freshwater supplies in many coastal areas. It's happening due to rising sea levels and climate change.
  2. This issue can harm ecosystems by increasing salinity, leading to the extinction of various plant and animal species. Many species are already at risk, which could worsen climate change further.
  3. To combat saltwater intrusion, countries should protect natural areas like wetlands and mangroves. These can help keep saltwater out of freshwater supplies and support local wildlife.

On clouds: where they come from, where they go

Climate Water Project • 176 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🔬 Science Ecosystems
  1. Clouds are formed by multiple global processes like atmospheric circulation patterns and wind movements.
  2. Jet streams in the upper atmosphere play a role in cloud formation and rain patterns.
  3. Land degradation, like deforestation, can impact cloud formation and the occurrence of extreme weather events like atmospheric rivers and hurricanes.

The Plastic Beat: A Climate Change Angle

Adetokunbo Sees • 208 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Microplastics are found in many parts of the human body, including the brain, blood, and lungs, which raises health concerns.
  2. Humans are ingesting and inhaling more microplastics than ever, often through food and air, making it a growing issue.
  3. The presence of microplastics in marine life is disrupting ecosystems and potentially contributing to climate change, highlighting the need for better solutions.

Why I moved to San Francisco

Aurora's Almanac • 157 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
💼 Business Ecosystems
  1. Norway lacked examples of successful entrepreneurs for inspiration.
  2. Moving to San Francisco provided opportunities to learn from experienced entrepreneurs.
  3. The importance of creating future role models in the startup ecosystem.

Homes That Breathe

Anima Mundi • 82 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Buildings can be grown from living materials instead of built from traditional resources. This means using fungi and bacteria to create strong, eco-friendly structures.
  2. These new homes are designed to work with nature, providing benefits like filtering water and supporting local ecosystems instead of harming them.
  3. The process of creating homes this way could lower costs and make construction more sustainable, as it uses renewable materials and lessens environmental impact.

Frog Nation (Part 1/2 for *today*): TIME to cast an ICE SPELL

DeFi Education • 839 implied HN points • 07 Jan 22
🔮 Crypto Ecosystems
  1. Frog Nation includes platforms like Abracadabra Money, Popsicle Finance, and Wonderland Money. These platforms are popular and their tokens are worth a lot of money.
  2. This series will help you understand the Frog Nation ecosystem better. It aims to explain how these different platforms work together.
  3. The post is part of a subscription service, meaning it's designed for paying readers who want deeper insights into decentralized finance.

Fractured Planet: Glaciers Thawing, Rivers Running Dry, Reefs Vanishing

Adetokunbo Sees • 208 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Glaciers are melting at alarming rates, with many disappearing completely. This is a big concern for water supply and ecosystems.
  2. Rivers around the world are drying up, with thousands vanishing completely in recent decades. This can affect agriculture, drinking water, and wildlife.
  3. Coral reefs are facing serious threats, with significant losses in the past few decades. If we don't act now, most coral reefs could be gone by the end of the century.

Possible states the earth can evolve to

Climate Water Project • 117 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🔬 Science Ecosystems
  1. There are different stable states that the ecosystem+hydrological system can evolve to, given large enough perturbations.
  2. Vegetation affects the climate and vice versa, leading to different stable states like forests or grasslands.
  3. The earth can have metastable states with ice or more vegetation, flipping between them due to factors like sunlight and noise in the climate system.

L.A. Will Keep Having Catastrophic Fires No Matter Who You Blame

KERFUFFLE • 131 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Los Angeles is naturally a grassland, not a desert, and wildfires are part of its ecosystem. This means that as long as we live there, we're going to deal with fires.
  2. Urban development in L.A. happened very quickly, making it one of the few cities that sits right next to wild nature. This close proximity makes it more likely for fires to spread from wild areas to neighborhoods.
  3. Many of the problems with wildfires come from development patterns established long ago. The places where we live today were built before the fire risks were fully understood.

Are you a platform?

Developer GTM – by Calyx Consulting • 99 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
💼 Business Ecosystems
  1. Platforms come in various forms, not just through APIs, and successful platforms connect different parts of the value chain.
  2. Organic growth is crucial for platforms to succeed, and the relationship between platform and ecosystem is interdependent.
  3. Building a platform requires internal buy-in from leadership and alignment with company goals to ensure long-term success.

Welcome to the Jungle

Eat Shit and Prosper • 279 implied HN points • 15 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Ecosystems
  1. Our gut is home to a complex ecosystem of bacteria that we rely on for many essential functions in our body. This relationship has developed over thousands of years and is crucial for our health.
  2. Taking antibiotics can disrupt this delicate balance in our gut ecosystem, potentially leading to long-term health issues. It's important to recognize that this can harm our bacterial diversity and stability.
  3. There may be hope for treating diseases linked to gut health through methods like fecal transplants. Understanding the importance of our internal ecosystem can help us find better solutions for health problems.

How do I Choose an a Sustainable Forestry Certification?

Green Graphic Design • 78 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. To choose a sustainable forestry certification, prioritize those that consider both environmental and human impact
  2. Consider forest conservation and Indigenous land rights when selecting a forestry certifier
  3. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global certification to look for due to its considerations for biodiversity and Indigenous rights

A requiem for Bell Bowl Prairie

This Week in Birding • 78 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. A group gathered at Bell Bowl Prairie to mourn its destruction by a bulldozer.
  2. Efforts to stop the destruction were unsuccessful due to legal system failures and lack of political action.
  3. Advocates call for updating endangered species laws and increasing funding for conservation to prevent similar devastation in the future.

The Power of Generativity in Platform Systems

Platform Papers • 39 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
💼 Business Ecosystems
  1. In platform ecosystems, generativity plays a crucial role in driving innovation by allowing third-party developers to continuously create new offerings that enhance the core product's value over time.
  2. Balancing generativity is essential for platform success; too much generativity can lead to free-riding behavior where developers exploit the efforts of others, while the right amount can signal growth opportunities and encourage high-quality contributions.
  3. As platform ecosystems mature, business leaders and policymakers must navigate the challenges of maintaining a balance between positive reputation spillover effects and negative free-rider effects to ensure sustained innovation and user satisfaction.

Echoes of Extinction: A Funeral March for Species

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Many animal species are dying off, often due to climate change. This not only affects those specific animals but also the plants and ecosystems that rely on them.
  2. The death of single species, like flying foxes and corals, can disrupt the balance of nature. These losses can lead to problems like reduced food sources for other species and a drop in biodiversity.
  3. To prevent more animal deaths, we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create environments that can adapt to changes in the climate.

An Ode to Our Front Yard

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 179 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Having a wild yard filled with native plants can support local wildlife and create a thriving ecosystem. It's great to see more people choosing this over traditional grass lawns.
  2. Neighbors might not always appreciate these wild gardens, but they bring more life and diverse plants and animals. A messy yard to some can mean a home for many creatures.
  3. Don't call grass lawns 'green deserts.' Even if they don’t have much diversity, they still support some life. We should think about how we use water and resources in our yards.

Tides of Trouble: Fish Populations face Challenges in Numerous Basins

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Fish populations in the Amazon, Gulf of Guinea, and Mediterranean Sea are declining dramatically. This decline is alarming as it threatens the species and the ecosystems they support.
  2. These bodies of water also play a vital role in absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. As fish populations decrease, their ability to help combat climate change through carbon sequestration is reduced.
  3. To tackle these challenges, we need to protect fish habitats, reduce overfishing, and take action against climate change. It's important for the health of our oceans and the planet.

Twelve Miles

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 18 Aug 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. There are two very different ecosystems just twelve miles apart. One is a lush, shady forest filled with giant trees, while the other is a bright, hot area with colorful wildflowers.
  2. The old growth forest has survived for centuries, showcasing the beauty of tall Douglas firs and a variety of wildlife. It's a tranquil place that makes you feel connected to nature.
  3. In contrast, the Pumice Plain shows how life can quickly return after a volcanic eruption. It's full of new plant life and animals, reminding us that renewal and rebirth are always possible.

Yes Happy Earth Day!

the rohn report • 59 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Celebrate Earth Day by committing to protect the planet's diversity and ecosystems, conserving energy and water, and treating all entities as valuable members of the whole.
  2. Acknowledging the beauty of the planet and the importance of reducing our carbon footprint to maintain its beauty for future generations.
  3. Encouraging the preservation of wildlife, forests, oceans, and the connection between all living beings on Earth.

Black Swans in Utah and Florida

The Sunday Morning Post • 58 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems
  1. Black Swan events are rare and unpredictable, and can have major impacts on economies and societies.
  2. Utah's Great Salt Lake is drying up due to water diversion from increased development, posing serious environmental and economic risks.
  3. Florida faces rising sea levels and stronger hurricanes, leading to potential property loss and insurance rate hikes.

So you’ve solved the chicken-and-egg problem…

Platform Papers • 19 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
💼 Business Ecosystems
  1. Successful platform ecosystem orchestration involves more than just network effects
  2. Selective promotion is a powerful tool for directing attention to high-quality complements in a platform ecosystem
  3. Facilitating scale benefits among complementors can help drive greater value and prevent dominance in a platform ecosystem