British Ecological Society
VitenskapPodcasts from the British Ecological Society
Siste episoder av British Ecological Society podcast
- Functional Ecology | Fernando Gonçalves: Pollen essential amino acids shape bat–flower interaction networks (00:31:08)
In this podcast, Functional Ecology author Fernando Gonçalves talks to Assistant Editor Amelia Macho about his article "Pollen essential amino acids shape bat–flower interaction networks". Fernando's article discusses how pollen protein and amino acid composition influence year-round and seasonal bat–flower interaction networks. Its results underscore the essential role of pollen, not just nectar, as a key reward for attracting flower-visiting bats, and therefore highlights pollen content as an important driver structuring pollination networks. Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.70161 Check out a video of the bat species in this study! https://youtu.be/7FX2x4T45i8?si=be7V7t3gAwBR4yiw
- ELM Network | Episode 4: Leading with clarity and kindness with Professor Sallie Bailey (00:45:10)
As part of our 'Community' series, we’re launching the Emerging Leadership Management (ELM) Network, hosted by Rob Brooker, Thorunn Helgason, and Pen Holland.This is the podcast for people who love to lead or one day might emerge as a leader. This episode features Professor Sallie Bailey, Chief Scientist at Natural England and inaugural BES Fellow. Sallie shares insights from her leadership journey, from shaping strategy and managing expectations to driving cultural change across organisations. We discuss what makes communication effective, how leaders can bring clarity and energy to their teams, and why strong leadership is vital for lasting impact.
- Spiders Spotted Using Trapped Fireflies to Lure Prey | The Story Behind The Paper (00:56:31)
For the Journal of Animal Ecology's latest podcast episode, Associate Blog Editor Edie Abrahams speaks with Professor I-Min Tso about his recently published paper, "Prey bioluminescence-mediated visual luring in a sit and wait predator". Professor Tso reflects on his journey into the world of spiders and what he learnt from conducting his study, as well as providing some valuable insights for those who are interested in pursuing a career in the area. You can find some helpful links below: Paper: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.70102 Website: https://www.spiderandsilksupply.com/
- Included in Nature with Clare Rishbeth | Introduction (00:08:07)
This series will be discussing four evidence reports commissioned by Natural England which were deposited on Applied Ecology Resources and explored the importance of nature inclusion across various communities; people with disabilities, older people, ethnic minorities, and those in low-income areas. This series will be deep diving into the importance of nature connection, the potential barriers to inclusion for four specific groups of individuals, and strategies to overcome them. Our guest is Clare Rishbeth, who is a professor in Landscape Architecture from the University of Sheffield and co-authored the reports. Clare explains the reason for the reports and for the focus on four specific groups of people. The reports are linked below: People with Disabilities https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/applied-ecology-resources/document/20220436861/ Low Income Areas https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/applied-ecology-resources/document/20220436862/ Older People https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/applied-ecology-resources/document/20220436863/ Ethnic Minorities https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/applied-ecology-resources/document/20220436860/
- Included in Nature with Clare Rishbeth | Case Report 1 - Disabilities (00:11:55)
This series will be discussing four evidence reports commissioned by Natural England which were deposited on Applied Ecology Resources and explored the importance of nature inclusion across various communities. In this episode, Clare will be discussing the barriers to inclusion for those with disabilities, and how we might be able to overcome them. PEDALL Inclusive Cycling | New Forest National Park - https://www.pedall.org.uk/ Sensing Nature - https://sensing-nature.com/ Applied Ecology Resources Report: People with Disabilities - https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/applied-ecology-resources/document/20220436861/
- Included in Nature with Clare Rishbeth | Case Report 2 - Low Income Areas (00:13:15)
This series will be discussing four evidence reports commissioned by Natural England which were deposited on Applied Ecology Resources and explored the importance of nature inclusion across various communities. In this episode, Clare will be discussing the barriers to inclusion for those in low-income areas, and how we might be able to overcome them. Applied Ecology Resources Report: Low Income Areas - https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/applied-ecology-resources/document/20220436862/
- Included in Nature with Clare Rishbeth | Case Report 3 - Older People (00:10:52)
This series will be discussing four evidence reports commissioned by Natural England which were deposited on Applied Ecology Resources and explored the importance of nature inclusion across various communities. In this episode, Clare will be discussing the barriers to inclusion for older people, and how we might be able to overcome them. Wild at Heart, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust - https://www.wildsheffield.com/discover/your-community/wild-at-heart/?srsltid=AfmBOooBDMSVIiz51JkVIAN2lotY4qAD5uogVfGTUXRPAOWbK6BOnBs8 Welcome to DalesBus - https://www.dalesbus.org/ Applied Ecology Resources Report: Older People - https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/applied-ecology-resources/document/20220436863/
- Included in Nature with Clare Rishbeth | Case Report 4 - Ethnic Minorities (00:20:01)
This series will be discussing four evidence reports commissioned by Natural England which were deposited on Applied Ecology Resources and explored the importance of nature inclusion across various communities. In this episode, Clare will be discussing the barriers to inclusion for ethnic minorities, and how we might be able to overcome them. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: Whose Values, Whose Benefits? by Dr. Bridget Snaith - https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/19291/ 9 Rules for the Black Birdwatcher by J. Drew Lanham - https://orionmagazine.org/article/9-rules-for-the-black-birdwatcher/ Applied Ecology Resources Report: Ethnic Minorities - https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/applied-ecology-resources/document/20220436860/
- Included in Nature with Clare Rishbeth | Claire's Current and Future Research (00:05:43)
This series discussed four evidence reports commissioned by Natural England which were deposited on Applied Ecology Resources and explored the importance of nature inclusion across various communities. Clare ends the series by discussing her current and future research focus, as well as future reports for Natural England. Young People Act - https://treescapes-voices.mmu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/454/2024/11/Young-People-Act-Nature-Climate.pdf Informal Sport and Social Inclusion - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/02614367.2022.2162109?needAccess=true Clare’s Sheffield Links - https://sheffield.ac.uk/architecture-landscape/people/academic/clare-rishbeth
- Functional Ecology | Jennifer Apland: Isolating the effects of floral temperature on visitation and behaviour of wild bee and fly pollinators (00:27:53)
In this podcast, Functional Ecology author Jennifer Apland chats to Assistant Editor Amelia Macho about her research article, " Jennifer experimentally manipulated the temperature of model flowers to evaluate how flower temperature impacts visitation and behavior of wild bee and fly pollinators. Her research highlights that wild insect pollinator responses to floral temperature depend on ambient temperature. It also suggests that flowers with traits facilitating warming in cool conditions and cooling in warm conditions may experience higher rates of pollinator visitation and resultant reproductive success. You can read Jennifer's full research article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.70037 You can also check out Jennifer's blog post about this work (as mentioned in the podcast!) here: https://functionalecologists.com/2025/06/04/jennifer-apland-does-flower-temperature-affect-pollinator-behaviour/
- Journal of Animal Ecology | Editor Expertise: Dr Mariano Rodriguez-Cabal (00:15:58)
For our ‘Editor Expertise’ series, we will be meeting with each of our Senior Editors, who will share the reason they went into animal ecology, their current and future research focus, and their experience working as an editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology. Our aim is to spread awareness of their research area and give you a chance to get to know the editors behind the journal. This month's guest is Dr. Mariano Rodríguez-Cabal, Research Highlights Editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology.
- Revista de Ecología Animal | Experiencia del Editor: Dr Mariano Rodriguez-Cabal (00:18:17)
En nuestra serie 'Experiencia editorial', nos reuniremos con cada uno de nuestros editores principales, quienes compartirán los motivos por los que se dedicaron a la ecología animal, sus áreas de investigación actuales y futuras, y su experiencia como editores de la revista Journal of Animal Ecology. Nuestro objetivo es dar a conocer su área de investigación y ofrecerle la oportunidad de conocer a los editores que hay detrás de la revista. El invitado de este mes es el Dr. Mariano Rodríguez-Cabal, editor de Research Highlights para la revista Journal of Animal Ecology. Gracias a nuestro editor del blog, Rowan Kuminski, por presentar este episodio.
- BES Special Feature | Marine Heatwaves (00:29:22)
In this podcast episode, we spoke with Dr Daniel Gomez-Gras, Guest Editor for our latest cross-journal Special Feature on "Marine Heatwaves". The Special Feature ran across the Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal of Ecology, and Functional Ecology, and provides an interdisciplinary and cross-taxonomic view of one of the most pressing topics in marine animal science, rendering a general overview of the vulnerability of animal life to current and future marine heatwave conditions. You can explore a curated list of all the articles published at the link below: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1002/(ISSN)9999-0033.marine-heatwaves Thank you to Daniel, Pol, and Cristina, the Guest Editors of this incredible Special Feature.
- Methods in Ecology and Evolution | Dr René Steinmann : Decoding the footsteps of the African savanna (00:26:37)
Methods in Ecology and Evolution author René Steinmann chats to Harriet about his research article 'Decoding the footsteps of the African savanna: Classifying wildlife using seismic signals and machine learning'. The study investigates the seismic signal properties of African savanna species during locomotion and employs machine learning techniques to classify wildlife based on these footfall signals. Read René's full research article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.70021 Read René's post on the Methods Blog here: https://methodsblog.com/2025/05/19/the-ground-beneath-their-feetlistening-in-on-africas-wildlife-using-seismic-sensors/
- ELM Network | Episode 3: Leadership lessons from Professor Malcolm Press (00:28:24)
As part of our 'Community' series, we’re launching the Emerging Leadership Management (ELM) Network, hosted by Rob Brooker, Thorunn Helgason, and Pen Holland. This is the podcast for people who love to lead or one day might emerge as a leader. In this episode, they interview Professor Malcolm Press, Vice-Chancellor at the Manchester Metropolitan University and former BES President. Listen in to hear Malcolm share his experience with leadership and discuss how vision and wisdom are essential for effective leadership. #leadership #management #ecology #science #emergingleader #leader #manager
- Journal of Animal Ecology | Editor Expertise: Dr Roberto Salguero-Gómez (00:25:17)
For our ‘Editor Expertise’ series, we will be meeting with each of our Lead Editors, who will share the reason they went into animal ecology, their current and future research focus, and their experience working as an editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology. Our aim is to spread awareness of their research area and give you a chance to get to know the editors behind the journal. This month’s guest is Dr Roberto Salguero-Gómez, Commissioning Editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology. (0:00) – British Ecological Society intro (0:35) – Podcast introduction (1:29) – Rob's journey into animal ecology (6:30) – Rob's current and future research focus (11:30) – Shoutouts to past supervisors and colleagues (13:56) – Ad break (14:36) – Rob's experience as Commissioning Editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology (22:05) – Advice for people who want to become journal editors / are thinking of a career in ecology (24:53) – British Ecological Society outro Links referred to in the podcast: Rob's Elton Prize paper - https://animalecologyinfocus.com/2017/03/28/2016-elton-prize-winner-rob-salguero-gomez/ An editorial on writing a good review / long term study paper - https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.13821 An editorial on writing a good concept paper - https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2656.14206
- Journal Club episode 1: Can developing climbing routes be a threat to endemic plants? (00:50:59)
Welcome to the first episode of Journal Club, a new series that explores research papers to empower early-career researchers to read, utilise, and critically assess academic literature with confidence. In this episode, our host, Matt Town, Professional Development Manager, discusses the Journal of Applied Ecology paper titled 'Climbing Route Development Affects Cliff Vascular Plants More Than Subsequent Climbing: A Guide to Evidence-Based Conservation Management to Regulate Climbing.' Tune in to hear key insights from BES Assistant Editor Lydia, Associate Editor Phil Martin and Ardian Ardiantiono, and PhD student Lira Lewis. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14785
- Journal of Animal Ecology | Editor Expertise: Professor Darren Evans (00:53:43)
For our ‘Editor Expertise’ series, we will be meeting with each of our Senior Editors, who will share the reason they went into animal ecology, their current and future research focus, and their experience working as an editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology. Our aim is to spread awareness of their research area and give you a chance to get to know the editors behind the journal. This month’s guest is Dr Darren Evans, Senior Editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology. (0:00) – British Ecological Society intro (0:58) – Podcast introduction (1:30) – Darren's journey into animal ecology (15:30) – Darren’s current and future research focus (34:30) – Shoutouts to past supervisors and colleagues (38:30) – Darren’s experience as Senior Editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology (47:00) – Advice for people who want to become journal editors / are thinking of a career in ecology (52:50) – British Ecological Society outro
- Functional Ecology | Dr Abbey Yatsko: Why are trees hollow? Termites, microbes and tree internal stem damage in a tropical savanna (00:31:07)
Functional Ecology author Dr Abbey Yatsko chats to Amelia Macho about her research article, 'Why are trees hollow? Termites, microbes, and tree internal stem damage in a tropical savanna' Abbey's study sought to understand how two important biotic decomposers, termites and microbes, decompose wood on the inside of living tree stems, shedding a light on previously concealed wood decomposition dynamics occurring inside trees. Abbey's research has implications for for accurate carbon estimation across savanna ecosystems, and suggests that tree carbon models should make efforts to incorporate the effects of internal stem damage. Read Abbey's full research article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14727 Abbey's second research article, 'Rotten to the core? Drivers of the vertical profile and accumulation of internal tree stem damage' has also been published in Functional Ecology! Check it out here: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.70061
- Functional Ecology | Adam Devenish: Mutualistic interactions facilitate invasive species spread (00:24:32)
Functional Ecology author Adam Devenish chats to Amelia Macho about his research article, 'Mutualistic interactions facilitate invasive species spread' Adam's study explored the impact of invasive Argentine ants on seed dispersal involving both native and invasive plants. Through field experiments comparing invaded and non-invaded areas, he observed shifts in seed dispersal patterns and examined how traits like seed size and chemical composition affected ant-seed preferences. Adam's findings, that in areas invaded by Argentine ants, seeds from invasive plants were three times more likely to be dispersed than native seeds, highlight that impact of invaders may be greater than initially perceived, driving losses in both biological and functional plant diversity. Read the full research article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14688 You can view images of Adam's research, mentioned in this podcast, in the article's plain language summary: https://fesummaries.wordpress.com/2024/10/15/how-invasive-argentine-ants-disrupt-native-seed-dispersal-and-promote-plant-invasions/
- Journal of Animal Ecology | Editor Expertise: Professor Jean-Michel Gaillard (00:17:59)
For our ‘Editor Expertise’ series, we will be meeting with each of our Senior Editors, who will share the reason they went into animal ecology, their current and future research focus, and their experience working as an editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology. Our aim is to spread awareness of their research area and give you a chance to get to know the editors behind the journal. This month’s guest is Professor Jean-Michel Gaillard, Senior Editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology. (0:00) – British Ecological Society intro (0:33) – Podcast introduction (01:15) – Jean-Michel's journey into animal ecology (02:58) – Jean-Michel's current and future research focus (07:20) – Shoutouts to past supervisors and colleagues (08:50) – Jean-Michel's experience as Senior Editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology (12:40) – Jean-Michel's editorial highlights and challenges during his time with the journal (15:40) – Advice for people who want to become editors / are thinking of a career in ecology (17:32) – British Ecological Society outro
- ELM Network | Episode 2: Motivation to lead with Professor Jane K. Hill (00:41:54)
As part of our 'Community' series, we’re launching the Emerging Leadership Management (ELM) Network, hosted by Rob Brooker, Thorunn Helgason, and Pen Holland. This is the podcast for people who love to lead or one day might emerge as a leader. In this episode, they interview Jane K Hill, Professor of Ecology at the University of York, former BES Trustee and chair of the publications committee. Tune in to hear Jane discuss her thoughts on leadership, including different leadership styles and exploring what motivations to lead can look like. #leadership #management #ecology #science #emergingleader #leader #manager
- The Superb Lyrebird: Nature’s Ecosystem Engineer - The Story Behind the Paper (00:25:53)
We spoke with Dr Alex Maisey, author of "Foraging activity by an ecosystem engineer, the superb lyrebird, ‘farms’ its invertebrate prey", to hear the story behind the paper. Alex also shared his personal journey into animal ecology and some unexpected sounds from a local lyrebird. You can read Alex's full paper, co-authored by Angie Haslem and Andrew F. Bennett, here: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2656.70009
- Ella Plumanns Pouton: How do intervals between fires influence canopy seed production and viability? (00:36:03)
Functional Ecology author Ella Plumanns Pouton chats to Amelia Macho about her research article, 'How do intervals between fires influence canopy seed production and viability?' Ella's study sought to understand how the frequency of fire shaped the quantity of available cones and the seeds within those cones. Her findings, in the context of expected increases in wildfire frequency and droughts in Mediterranean ecosystems, suggest that serotinous species' reproduction and recruitment will be differentially impacted depending on a suite of functional traits. Read the full research article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14619
- ELM Network | Episode 1: What leadership looks like with Professor Yadvindar Malhi (00:37:56)
As part of our 'Community' series, we’re launching a new series called the Emerging Leadership Management (ELM) Network, hosted by Professor Rob Brooker, Professor Thorunn Helgason, and Professor Pen Holland. The new BES ELM network is born out of a shared vision to help and celebrate researchers' transitions into management and leadership roles. In this episode, they interview Yadvinder Malhi, a former BES president and Professor of Ecosystem Science at the Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, and Senior Research Fellow at Oriel College. Tune in to hear Yadvinder discuss transitioning into a leadership role and the key aspects of managing and leading a team. ELM Network | What leadership looks like with Professor Yadvinder Malhi By British Ecological Society is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Host Rob Brooker, Head of Ecological Sciences at The James Hutton Institute and Honorary Secretary at the British Ecological Society. Host Thorunn Helgason, Chair in Ecology, School of Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh and Board of Trustee at the British Ecological Society. Host Pen Holland, Deputy Head of Department (Education) at the University of York.