The hottest Urban Ecology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Climate & Environment Topics

Agents of Erosion

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Urban Ecology Geology Environmental Impact
  1. Everyone contributes to erosion in our environment, even just by walking on steps. Our shoes cause tiny bits of stone to wear away over time.
  2. Winter weather leads to more potholes because water expands when it freezes, damaging roads. It's a reminder that even annoying things can have a positive side for nature.
  3. Roots from trees can push up sidewalks and create obstacles in urban areas. This shows how nature constantly interacts with our built environment and can cause challenges.

Street Smart Naturalist: 2022 in Review

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 05 Jan 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Natural History Urban Ecology Wildlife Community Engagement
  1. The newsletter author focuses on diverse topics related to nature, urban life, and history to engage readers and spark curiosity. They enjoy sharing new discoveries and fun facts.
  2. The most popular newsletters of the year include stories about coyotes in Seattle, urban geography, and local wildlife, showing a blend of personal experiences and broader observations.
  3. The author appreciates feedback from readers and plans to continue creating engaging content in 2023. They invite suggestions for future topics and express gratitude for the support received.

The Vicissitudes of Nanohabitats

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 159 implied HN points • 08 Dec 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Weather Patterns Urban Ecology Environmental Impact
  1. Small changes in elevation can make a big difference in temperature and weather, like how snow sticks on certain spots. It's interesting how just a little elevation change can mean the difference between snow and rain.
  2. Different surfaces, like grass and pavement, hold heat differently, affecting where snow accumulates. For example, grass tends to be cooler, so snow collects on it more than on warm sidewalks.
  3. Climate change is causing shifts in snowfall patterns and precipitation. As temperatures rise, we may see less snow in the mountains and more rain, which could impact local ecosystems and water supply.

Perchers, Pokers, and Pests

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 199 implied HN points • 07 Apr 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Urban Ecology Natural History Wildlife Conservation Environmental Impact
  1. Utility poles have a long history, starting as telegraph poles in the mid-1800s, and now there are about 150 million in the U.S. today. They're an essential part of our modern infrastructure, holding up power and communication lines.
  2. Many animals, like birds and squirrels, use utility poles for perching and nesting. However, this can be dangerous, as birds often get electrocuted or collide with wires.
  3. Utility poles can impact the environment negatively due to toxic treatments for protection against decay. Clean-up of these toxins is ongoing and often goes unnoticed, just like the poles themselves.

Bubonic Plague in Seattle

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 99 implied HN points • 27 Oct 22
🔬 Science Biology Epidemiology History Public Health Urban Ecology
  1. Rats have been a part of Seattle since European settlers arrived, often arriving by ship. They are common due to Seattle's coastal location and trash management issues.
  2. In 1908, Seattle had an outbreak of bubonic plague linked to rats and their fleas. The city took serious measures to control the rat population to prevent further outbreaks.
  3. Today, Seattle is still known for having a lot of rats. Many people unknowingly create good homes for them by not managing overgrown plants like ivy.
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Flying Rats or Models of Evolution?

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 18 Nov 21
🔬 Science Biology Evolution Animal Behavior Urban Ecology Natural History
  1. Pigeons are often seen as dirty or bothersome, yet they play an important role in urban ecosystems by cleaning up food waste. Instead of just seeing them as pests, we should recognize their contributions to keeping our cities cleaner.
  2. Pigeons are surprisingly intelligent and adaptable birds. They learn from each other, can navigate long distances, and have been used in important historical events, like carrying messages during wars.
  3. Charles Darwin studied pigeons to understand natural selection better. He saw how humans influenced their breeding, which helped him develop ideas about evolution that still matter today.

Of Leaves and Drains

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 39 implied HN points • 21 Oct 21
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Issues Nature Conservation Urban Ecology Biodiversity
  1. Autumn brings beautiful colors, which show the changing leaves and a hidden world of nests. It’s like nature’s surprise when the trees lose their leaves.
  2. Leaf blowers are noisy and create confusion about where to put leaves. Instead, using a rake is a better way to clean up and be nice to neighbors.
  3. You can help keep drains clean by adopting a drain in your area. It's a fun way to reduce litter and can even be a community project.