The Naked Scientists

Naked Scientists Podcast

Subscribe via itunes,yahoo or google < Previous Show | Next Show >
3rd Feb 2008

Wet and Wild


Helen Scales

Chris Smith

Get Wet and Wild with the Naked Scientists! We don our wellies and wade into the science of wetlands, discovering the species you might see and why wetlands are vital for wildlife on land and at sea. We'll also find out how wetlands protect us from floods, and what can be done to conserve them in the face of climate change.  Also in this weeks show, how Humans are fatally infecting Chimps with the common cold, the culture of a chameleon's colours and onions that can't make you cry! Plus, in Kitchen Science we hear the radio signal from a remote control, and find out how you can answer your mobile phone before it even starts ringing!

Listen NowDownload as MP3 Podcast Enhanced Podcast, with pictures and chaptersMP3 Podcast.
Transcript Go back Vote for Us

Digg Thisfacebookdel.icio.usNetscapeRedditFarkStumbleuponNewsvineYahoo! My WebFurlMagnoliaSquidoo

Science News

Humans "prime-ate" suspects for giving chimps killer diseases

Recent research carried out in West Africa has shown that humans are fatally infecting chimpanzees with our common cold viruses. Primatologist Sophie Kondgen, from the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin...

Colourful Chameleons

Something that we all know about the natural world is how the colourful chameleons are masters of disguise changing the way they look to blend perfectly with their surroundings, hiding away from would...

Shed a tear for the humble onion

Scientists in New Zealand have used GM technology to develop onions that can't make you cry. Working with colleagues in Japan, Colin Eady, who is based at New Zealand Crop & Food Research, has su...

On the profound influence of salmon

Today’s programme is about wetlands, so I’m going to get the ball rolling with a piece of science news from Canada. If I was to ask you to think of an aquatic animal that has the ability to change its...

Kitchen Science

Remote Interference


You know you can use your remote control to save you the immense effort of getting out of your chair, but did you know you could make strange noises from it and a radio?

Question of the Week

Recycling Oxygen

How is oxygen made and recycled on the International Space Station?


Interviews

Rising Stars - You Feel What You Eat

Caroline Stokes

Wetlands of London

Martin Senior, Adam Salmon & Michelle Penelle

Louisiana Wetlands

Dr Robinson Fulweiler, Louisiana State University

Wetlands for Flood Protection

John Pygott, Environment Agency

Conserving Wetlands

Chris Durdin, RSPB

Questions

How many watts is a burning candle?


How much ear wax can you produce in a lifetime and can you make a candle with it?


Do fish always swim anticlockwise in a round bowl? I’ve watched my sister’s fish and they always go anticlockwise. When they’re in an oblong tank they go in every single direction.


My friend told me you shouldn’t repair a broken dish or a dish that has a crack in it for food because bacteria get in the crack and it’s not safe or sanitary. Is this true?


We get bacteria in our gut. Where does it come from? Is it from our mums in the womb? Does it come from the environment after we’re born or is it dropped off by the stork?


Wet and Wild - More about this podcast

Wet and wild

Every year, the 2nd of February is marked as World Wetlands Day, so this week on the Naked Scientists we thought we’d get bogged down a bit.  From the hurricane-ravaged wetlands of Louisiana to a boggy reserve under the Heathrow flight path, we’ll be finding out what wetlands are, why they’re so important, and why they need protecting.

The Louisiana WetlandsThe Deep Damp South

To be a wetland, an area has to have water, the right kind of soil, and the right kind of plants.  They  can be fresh or salt water, and both types are found in Louisiana’s 10,000 square kilometres of wetlands.  As well as being home to all manner of wildlife, the wetlands also contain around 48,000 km of the US’s oil and gas pipelines.

Hurricane Katrina dealt a devastating blow to Louisiana’s wetlands when it struck in 2005.  We’ll be talking to Wally Fulweiler from Louisiana State University about how this fragile ecosystem has been affected, and what it means for the future of the region.  Chris Durdin from the RSPB will also be joining us to discuss how wetlands in the UK can be protected, and the challenges posed to conservation by climate change.

You can read more about the Louisiana Wetlands here.

 

A protected wetland landscape area CHKO Záhorie, SlovakiaBoggy barriers

You may not think that wetlands could be much use against floods, seeing as they’re already full of water, but in fact they can provide a powerful barrier against the forces of nature.

In Lincolnshire, the Environment Agency has created an artificial wetland – the Alkborough Flats Tidal Defence Scheme.  This is the largest flood storage project in Europe, and has reduced the risk of flooding for around 300,000 people in the region – as well as becoming a haven for wildlife.  We’ll be finding out how it works, and if other regions could benefit from similar projects.

Finally, we sent Meera Senthilingam to the London Wetland Centre, conveniently located under the Heathrow flight path in Barnes.  This is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, boasting an impressive range of wild fowl and other creatures.

She’ll be telling us about the species to be found there, and the research that’s underway.  As well as being a fun day out for the family, does the Wetland Centre bring any other benefits to the local human and animal populations? To find out,  put on your wellies and waterproofs, and join us this Sunday on the Naked Scientists.

Kat Arney



- Naked Scientists Science Radio Show Home - Who are The Naked Scientists
- Information about Naked Scientists - Interviews with Famous Scientists - Latest Science Radio Show
- Experiments to do at Home - Naked Science Articles - Archived Podcasts - Science Discussion Forum
- Science Book Reviews - Answers to Questions - Fact or Fiction Quiz
- Naked Scientists Contact Details - Search Naked Scientists Online - Receive Naked Scientists Podcasts

Click here for the Naked Scientists PODCAST

The contents of this site are © The Naked Scientists® 2000-2008. The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks.