Conservation Ecology podcasts

A global analysis suggests protected areas are more extensive than existing conservation accounts imply, while biodiversity remains under threat. A second research segment examines a large study associating brown fat with a broader range of health benefits. Research highlights consider Solar System stability and differences in brain aging among great apes.

David Lodge discusses environmental DNA as a tool for detecting invasive species and the challenges of translating ecological evidence into policy. The conversation follows invasive-carp detection in river water, scrutiny in legal proceedings, long-term crayfish observations, and the respective roles of researchers and decision-makers.

Hosted by Marty Martin, John Drake

Andrew Glester explores how drones, robotics and machine learning support wildlife research and conservation. Blair Costelloe discusses the WildDrone and WildBotics networks and the Mara Elephant Project; Camille Rondeau Saint-Jean describes real-time animal monitoring; William Njoroge explains how Ol Pejeta Conservancy combines drones with established conservation methods. The episode considers population data, field constraints, regulation and collaboration across disciplines.

Hosted by Andrew Glester

Sarah Crespi and Katie Langin examine assisted migration: replanting forests after wildfire with trees suited to the warmer conditions expected in coming decades. Susana Monsó, associate professor in logic, history and philosophy of science at Spain’s National University of Distance Education, then discusses how philosophical analysis contributes to scientific work, from defining concepts to formulating research questions. Produced with help from Podigy; published 17 September 2026, with a running time of 37 minutes and 28 seconds.

Hosted by Sarah Crespi

Daniel Simberloff discusses biological invasions, ecological theory and evidence from field experiments. The conversation explores how introduced species alter communities and ecosystems, and how long-running research informs conservation and management decisions.

Toni Lyn Morelli and Alexej Sirén discuss how climate change alters the geographical distribution of species. As habitats change, movement can offer plants and animals a route to persistence, but it also reshapes ecological relationships. The episode examines these shifts and their implications for conservation and the communities that share affected environments.

Hosted by Madison Goldberg

Julie Simpson explores the climate role of coastal saltwater wetlands, including marshes, mangroves and seagrass meadows. Alongside habitat, water purification and coastal protection, these ecosystems remove and retain substantial amounts of carbon dioxide. The episode examines how their ecological processes connect conservation with climate mitigation.

Hosted by Madison Goldberg

Mwezi Mugerwa discusses conservation of the elusive African golden cat using camera traps in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The conversation examines how field observations support study of a rarely seen species and how locally led projects, including Embaka, encourage community involvement in protecting it.

Hosted by Marty Martin, Cameron Ghalambor

Rae Wynn-Grant discusses wildlife ecology, conservation storytelling and making science accessible to communities underrepresented in research. She reflects on her path into the field, her work on Wild Kingdom and the role that nature programmes can play in public understanding and future scientific careers.

Hosted by Marty Martin, Cameron Ghalambor

Drew Harvell explores the unusual adaptations of marine invertebrates, including sponges, corals and sea stars. The discussion connects these biological capabilities with disease outbreaks, environmental change and ocean conservation, considering how resilience may help—or fail to protect—organisms under human-driven pressures.

Hosted by Marty Martin, Cameron Ghalambor

Dag Hessen discusses environmental tipping points and the connections between climate change and biodiversity loss. Conversation in Norwegian.

Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson discusses biodiversity loss, human pressures on ecosystems and the broader environmental crisis. Conversation in Norwegian.