Ecology Podcast

In this episode, Methods in Ecology and Evolution author Margot Belot talks to publishing assistant Hannah about her article 'High-throughput information extraction of printed specimen labels from large-scale digitization of entomological collections using a semi-automated pipeline'

Margot's article introduces a tool that can be used to automatically real the labels of museum specimens, helping to catalogue and digitise their vast collections

Read the full article here: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/2041-210x.70235

And a blog post about the work: https://methodsblog.com/2026/02/10/from-trowels-to-tensorflow-bridging-the-gap-between-ancient-past-and-digital-future/

In this podcast, Ecologist Sebastian Hoefer talks to Methods in Ecology and Evolution assistant editor Harriet Rhodes about his article ‘Sensors versus surveyors: Comparing passive acoustic monitoring, camera trapping and observer-based monitoring for terrestrial mammals’.

The paper compared different methods of monitoring, focusing on passive acoustic monitoring and observer based monitoring like camera trapping over several years in Eastern Australia, and they discuss some of the challenges involved in remote ecology.

Read the full article here: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/2041-210X.70169

En nuestro último episodio de podcast, hablamos con Ignacio Juárez sobre su artículo recientemente publicado, "respuestas fenológicas récord al cambio climático en tres especies de pingüinos simpátricos". Ignacio reflexiona sobre su incursión en el mundo de los pingüinos, lo que aprendió al realizar su estudio y el futuro de este campo de investigación. Gracias a Rowan Kuminski, editor asociado del blog "Animal Ecology in Focus", por presentar este podcast.

Puedes leer el artículo completo de Ignacio a continuación:

https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.70201

For our latest podcast episode, we spoke with Ignacio Juarez about his recently published paper, "record phenological responses to climate change in three sympatric penguin species". Ignacio reflects on his journey into the world of penguins, what he learnt from conducting his study, and reflects on the future of the research field.

You can read Ignacio's full paper below:

https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.70201

For the Journal of Animal Ecology's latest podcast episode, we spoke with Valentin Moser about his recently published paper, "Habitat heterogeneity and food availability in beaver-engineered streams foster bat richness, activity and feeding". Valentin reflects on his journey into the world of bats and beavers, what he learnt from conducting his study, and reflects on the future of the research field.

You can find some helpful links below:

Paper: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2656.70136

Research Highlight: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.70144

Blog: https://animalecologyinfocus.com/2025/12/16/beavers-boost-bat-biodiversity/

Richard Bardgett, Executive Editor of Journal of Ecolgoy interviews Professor Angela Moles - this year's Eminent Ecologist honouree.

From pioneering research on plant ecology and introduced species to mentoring the next generation of ecologists, Angela reflects on her career, the importance of teaching, and the lessons she wishes she’d known starting out. Tune in to hear Angela's candid and inspiring journey through science and academia.

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/