This study compared the patterns of scientific productivity of researchers in the area of ecology, from both genders, and evaluated the influence of doctoral education in Brazil and abroad, in terms of the number of articles published in Brazilian and international journals during different career phases. The curriculum vitae of 105 researchers whom obtained their doctorate between 1990 and 2004 were analyzed. Women published fewer articles than men, and those who achieved their doctoral degree abroad published even fewer articles than those who studied in Brazil. Among men, those who achieved their doctoral degree abroad published more articles than those who studied in Brazil, except while they were doing their doctorate and during the first five years of their careers.