Soil Biology podcasts

Evolutionary biologist Toby Kiers joins Steven Strogatz to explore how mycorrhizal fungi exchange nutrients with plants and influence soil carbon storage. The conversation examines decentralized resource allocation, partnerships between fungi and roots, and experiments using fluorescent tracers and imaging robots to observe underground networks. Kiers also describes efforts to map fungal biodiversity and protect these ecosystems.

Hosted by Steven Strogatz, Janna Levin

Nature's Benjamin Thompson and Maren Hunsberger discuss research recognised by the 2026 Ig Nobel prizes, including a soil-health experiment, and examine an intriguing signal from a xenon-based dark-matter experiment. Published on 4 September 2026, this episode connects environmental measurement with particle-physics news.

Erik Joner discusses soil ecosystems and their roles in food production, decomposition, water quality and climate. Conversation in Norwegian.