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

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.

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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

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/