Nature Interviews

Nitrates in the Thames - Planet Earth Online

Nitrates in water can harm newborn babies and trigger the rapid growth of algae in rivers, killing fish and choking plants. The amount of nitrates in the River Thames has trebled since the 1930s. Sue Nelson met two researchers studying how nitrates move through the land to end up in rivers, springs and other sources of water... Dr Nicholas Howden, University of Bristol and Professor Tim Burt, Durham University.

Scanning the Sea from Space

Building an instrument to fly on board a satellite is a feat of precision engineering. It’s got to be robust enough to withstand the launch, sophisticated enough to produce new science and – since you can’t easily call out a repairman – very reliable. We find out how they're tested down here on the ground...Hugh Mortimer, RAL Space

Meat in the Lab, Not-so-speedy Neutrinos, Tracking Toxins and Fearful Fish!

Hear how meat is being made in the lab using stem cells, the flaws identified which could mean those neutrinos weren't moving so fast, track botulinum toxins as they move through the guy and discover the sweet smell of fear...in fish.Mark Post, Maastricht University; Alfons Weber, RAL; Rongsheng Jin, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute; Suresh Jesuthasan, National University of Singapore

Managing Hedgerows - Planet Earth Online

In England there are 450,000 kilometres of managed hedgerows, often containing hawthorn and often dubbed “corridors for wildlife” – be it beetles, bird, butterflies or even dormice. Most farmers trim their hedges every year. But now new research has shown that less frequent trimming is best for wildlife...Dr. Jo Staley, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; Nigel Adams, Independent Hedgerow Consultant

Revitalising Urban Rivers - Planet Earth Online

Rivers in cities and towns have had a rough time over the years – often diverted, hidden or lined with concrete. Some even end up as sewers! But now, around the world, urban rivers are undergoing a revival…many becoming havens for wildlife....Bella Davies, Wandle Trust and Angela Gurnell, Queen Mary University of London

The Conservation Hotlist - Planet Earth Online

Richard Hollingham explores the hotlist of conservation issues facing the world today...Bill Sutherland, University of Cambridge

Elephants in the Outback

Introducing new species has proved disasterous for the Australian ecosystem. So it's no wonder that ecologist David Bowman has met controversy with his suggestion that, to stablise the system, we may need to introduce even more...David Bowman, University of Tasmania

Studying seagrasses: from plastic bucket to planet

J. Emmett Duffy, Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Seeking Out Storms - Planet Earth Online

2012 began with gale force winds, localised flooding and travel disruptions in the UK. But not everyone is sorry to see the stormy weather. Here's Professor Robin Hogan telling us how he tracks, and predicts, thunderstorms..... Professor Robin Hogan, Reading University

The Magnetic Moon

When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin brought back the first samples of moon rock in 1969, scientists were surprised to see telltale signs in the material that the moon had once had a magnetic field – much like the one we have around the Earth. Now, another look at one of those 1969 samples has revealed something very unexpected...Erin Shea, MIT

New Species at Hydrothermal Vents - Planet Earth Online

We explore the disovery of new species in the hydrothermal vents of Antarctica...Katrin Linse and Ali Graham, British Antarctic Survey

Mapping Solar Storm Risk - Planet Earth Online

Solar storms can disrupt satellites, communications and power supplies and so scientists have now produced the first ever map that shows which regions of the UK power grid are most at risk...Dr Ciaran Beggan, British Geological Survey

Quitting Smoking, Exoplanets and Carnivorous Plants!

Why nicotine replacement may not be the key to kicking the habit, how most stars in our solar system have planets accompanying them, How Fungi could hold the key to tackling lead pollution and a new plants which makes a meal out of worms!Gregory Connelly, Harvard School of Public Health; Martin Dominik, University of St Andrews; Geoffrey Gadd, University of Dundee; Caio Pereria, State University of Campinas.

Ozone Depletion and Behavioural Change - Planet Earth Online

Richard Hollingham investigates why ozone depletion sparked unanimous change around the World in 1987 and whether a similar feat could be achieved to fight Climate Change...Jonathan Shanklin, British Antarctic Survey

Adopt a baby lobster

This Christmas, why not adopt a baby lobster?

Eco-friendly fishy pets

Sustainably-caught fish are the perfect gift for aquarium keepers

Rime of the Modern Mariner - retelling of classic poem for our plastic times

The perfect Christmas gift for a book loving, ocean loving friend.

Mercury Poisoning from Museum Samples

It seems some museum samples could be harbouring volatile compounds of mercury. But no need to fear, as it is only the people handling the samples themselves that need to watch out, as John Fellowes explains...John Fellowes, University of Manchester

The European Shag - Planet Earth Online

Sue Nelson is off in search of the disappearing European shag, which is a sea bird similar to a cormorant....Hannah Grist, University of Aberdeen

Alien Hikers - Planet Earth Online

We explore how invasive plant species can affect landscapes and indigenous wildlife...Professor James Bullock, Wallingford’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology