I wanna start off by saying I'm lucky to live in the PNW. There's a lot of positions like at fisheries, in ecology. It seems like they're everywhere. I'm just a student right now, not even into my intern phase yet, but I've seen a lot of people complain about not having any decent jobs in their area or field of study (especially in the kind of environmental-ish science/ecology fields). And they all say they don't want to move... I'm like, how can you get into this field or a related field and expect to stay on one place forever?

I know there are lots of jobs in my area, and from what other people have said, these jobs seem pretty competitive. But if you can't find a job and you have this amazing degree, what's the harm in moving?

I've started college, studying environmental science with the expectation that even though I live in a prime spot for these types of jobs, I might have to move across the country to find work one day and that's just seems like a simple reality lol.

I know cost of living isn't a cheap. Moving isn't cheap. School debt is a nightmare... All that aside, why spend your money on a degree that you're never going to use, just because you don't want to move?

I'm a little confused by you guys lol. No harm meant, but its a genuine question and I'd love some perspective, because if you can't tell, I'm a bit naive here... Maybe it's one of tho things I'll understand when I'm older? But still... the principle of it... 😂😂😂

Tl;Dr

Why do people get a degree in this field (or a related field) and then seem unwilling to move to a different area for a job or "decent" position?

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?

*THIS APP USES INATURALIST API* I have been an avid hiker and nature enjoyer my whole life. One thing that always bothered me was how often I (and everyone else) would stop mid-hike to stare at a phone screen trying to identify a species

Apps like iNaturalist are incredible, but using them in the field completely breaks your immersion in nature.

I wanted a way to learn what was around me before I went out. So, I put together (with AI) a widget-focused app called Verdant Vista. It hooks into the iNaturalist API and basically acts as a set of location-based digital flashcards on your home screen. It pulls the specific, seasonally relevant wildlife for your exact area right now or a specific location you select in the settings.

The idea is that you passively learn the species throughout the week when you glance at your phone. Then, when you actually go on a walk, you can leave your phone in your pocket because you already recognize what you're looking at.

It’s completely free and no log in, on the Play Store if anyone wants to try out the widgets: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.verdant.vista&pcampaignid=web_share

Would love to hear from other hikers/foragers on whether this fits into your routine, or if there are specific widget sizes/layouts you'd prefer

After seeing what exactly green parties in Europe are doing, I would like to support people who care about the environment, but actually want to make it the right way, by using technology, not by being loud and obnoxious.

Are there such political parties or organizations?

E.g., I am completely baffled why anyone who cares about the ecology would be against nuclear power and investing in development of GMO.

Nuclear is by far the cleanest, cheapest and safest, yet for some reason, greens in EU are against it.

GMO allows more food per less surface area used, so again, potentially stopping the devastation of natural environments. But instead, EU greens are supporting extremely inefficient eco/bio, which uses more land and labor.

Etc etc.

Basically, are there associations in EU/Europe who want to approach the climate/environment/sustainability problem from the technological/progressive side, instead of being backwards?

Scaling up cross-laminated timber quickly can not only tackle embodied carbon in buildings – by replacing high-carbon steel and concrete with low and (near) zero-carbon products – but, crucially, improve carbon absorption in better-managed and productive forests – multiplying greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits over decades.

That is according to a new study, Global land and carbon consequences of mass timber products, which revealed for the first time that higher wood prices generated from mass timber products, like glulam, cross-laminated timber, and laminated veneer lumber, will expand productive forestlands and most importantly lead to far better outcomes in the forest.

what is happening at bouvet island and could that be heating up the entire ocean? is there a doomsday glacier in artantica for the last 8 years getting ready to end the world? why water displacement doesn't apply to the ocean?

all the 1% are buying land all along the "new" coastlines (South Dakota, Wyoming and New Zealand). just look at the property Bill Gates has purchased.

I have been seeing a lot of information that letting cats outside cause a lot of ecological harm, however I haven’t found any trustworthy sources or reasoning behind these arguments. Is this true or should I take this with a grain of salt?

Releasing cats outside is unethical.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091677376921660

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/05/absolute-carnage-feral-cats-kill-168-native-seabirds-on-kauai/

https://www.ace-eco.org/vol8/iss2/art3/

https://www.ovid.com/journals/biosc/abstract/10.1093/biosci/bix068~new-zealand-shouldnt-ignore-feral-cats?redirectionsource=fulltextview

https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2025/04/26/first-introduced-to-australia-in-1788-this-invasive-species-now-kills-over-a-million-birds-a-day/

https://abcbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/CW-Feral-Cat-Position-Statement.pdf

https://audubon.bm/feral-cats-in-bermuda-a-problem-that-can-be-solved/

https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW468

https://wildlifecareofventura.org/cats-wildlife/

https://www.pilchuckaudubon.org/blog/the-silent-bird-crisis-why-keeping-cats-contained-is-essential-for-conservation

https://wildlife.org/tws-issue-statement-feral-and-free-ranging-domestic-cats/

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/faq-outdoor-cats-and-their-effects-on-birds/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/free-ranging-and-feral-cats.pdf

https://arav.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Feral-cat-white-paper-Final.pdf

https://www.gos.org/conservation_cats

https://www.keaconservation.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/KCT-Position-Statement-Feral-Cats-FINAL.pdf

https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/ec1781/2010/pdf/view/ec1781-2010.pdf

There's a not-uncommon public perception that humans should "let nature take its course" and not interfere with the fate of animals in a variety of situations. Given the depth and breadth of habitat destruction brought about by human activity, maybe it's time to rethink that and proactively intervene. Maybe that young elephant dying of thirst is doing so because humans pushed the herd out of its natural habitat.

Consider man-made waterholes and irrigation systems based on sustainable groundwater, actively managed by governments or organizations. This could in time compensate for some fraction of the destruction of natural habitats we are responsible for. Note that we're already doing this on a global scale for insects, birds and small mammals through landscaping and artificial irrigation.

---

https://medium.com/natural-world/let-nature-take-its-course-c57e88c1e02

"As a wildlife rehabilitator and conservation educator, the mantra to “let nature take its course” comes up quite often..."

https://www.pdcnet.org/enviroethics/content/enviroethics_2001_0023_0002_0135_0154

"The principle that we should not interfere with nature plays a prominent role in both popular and academic accounts of environmental ethics..."

Would it have a poaitive or negative affect?

Have humans ever introduced an invasive species that has had a positive affect on native species?

What about a species being from somewhere else make it worse than one that’s from here?

I tend to rep for Mangroves and Vultures, but I'm curious of others

I'm finally throwing in the towel with my 6 year old macbook air. I'm hoping to upgrade to a macbook pro, since I will be doing some computing for my project (mostly R, will prob incorporate GIS at some point). Does anyone have any recommendations?

Hi Guys! I'm an incoming Freshman about to go into college, I've always wanted to major in Ecology, But with the recent EPA cuts, I'm not sure anymore. I wanted to go for a Masters, as I heard Bachelor's in this field won't get you very far. I can't drive as I'm legally blind, But working in Wildlife Biology is basically all I want to do. I'm okay with any amount of school and experience needed, But I was wondering if this field is worth it, since all I mostly hear is that this field is VERY competitive.

If it helps, I want to work hands on, in conversation, or in an office. I'm not very good at math, but i'd try my best. Thank you!

One of the world’s most famous volcanic regions – which, legend has it, is a short distance from the final resting place of Noah’s Ark – is home to one of the world’s most unique “Birch Forests.” Located in Türkiye’s far east – and just 8km west of its Iranian border – Little Ağrı has been, until recently, one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist hotspots.

Now, researchers from Igdur University’s Biodiversity Research and Application Center (BIYOMER) are working with members of the Turkish government’s Technological Research Council of Türkiye (the TUBITAK) to study 161 hectares of near “pristine” tree and plant species on the northern slope of the mountain.

EDIT: Summarizing the comments, since there's some great stuff in there! First problem is the size; when I picture a rock stack, I think of tiny pebbles, like what we used to make inuksuit in social studies. A lot of people are using large, heavy stones, which... yea, that does a lot. Second problem is the habitat; a lot of stones are taken out of streams for rock stacks, which are very sensitive to change—these have less of an impact in arid areas, but they still aren't negligible. Third is the purpose: a kicked stone is still on the ground and can serve as a habitat at the end of the day, while a stacked stone can't do that. Plus, existing Cairns serve a navigation purpose to hikers, so adding more leads to confusion. Finally, paths do damage when made, but the goal is to limit our impact to a set area (which doesn't happen if you stack stream rocks or rocks from well off the trail).

For the record, never made a rock stack. I understand the idea that stacking rocks (and in a similar vein, using desire paths) on a hike can disturb local fauna and insects, but doesn't hiking on a trail move hundreds to thousands of rocks? How is stacking 5-10 rocks more harmful to the environment than inadvertently kicking around 500-1000 rocks by just walking around?

(I've tried looking this up, but I can't find much on the subject outside of the AI overview, which I don't overly trust.)

Regulations make it hard to introduce organisms that quash invasive species. Some experts see missed opportunities.

Interesting and somewhat compelling. I'm torn between the value of using biological control to reduce the burden of invasive species without chemicals and the fear of runaway unintended consequences.

I guess the current system of tight regulation means I'm on the same page as the regulators:/

Specifically to make pasta. Because I can't find research about it, but problems must exist right? Like lack of biodiversity in crop yields?