Podcasts about introduced species

This week we talk to Louise Bodt about the European Goldfinch. Although they are native to Europe, there is actually a population living in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Louise tells us how they got there, other examples of them being introduced, and much more. Louise Bodt is a PhD candidate at the University of Chicago and the Field Museum using introduced birds to study rapid evolutionary change. Prior to joining the Field Museum birds lab, she worked as a science educator in NYC where she got her MS in biology investigating genetics of invasive European starlings. Louise is such an amazing guest, you're going to enjoy this one!! We actually have another listener question about birds in Trinidad and Tobago, which we talk about at the end of the episode as well. Enjoy!Please follow our instagram @birds_of_a_feather_podcast Please send us your questions for us to answer as well! You can send them to podcast.birdsofafeather@gmail.com

It's a mixed bag for Australian wool producers as recent wool markets have been in the negative, while a new report says the future is looking pretty good, researchers are trialing a way to trick predators such as foxes into eating food that will make them throw up to deter them from coming back, and foetal bovine serum is becoming harder to source, putting vital cancer research at risk

Hello Terrorizers,Today, I bring you - out of character and out of canon - the very first Tiny Terrors Fan Showcase, don't worry this is only a working title and snazzier branding will be coming when next we attempt to crack open the twisted minds of those we call terrorizers online, in a more organized and formal fan showcase.But for now I bring you The Tiny Terrors Fan Showcase ™ - and it is just that, a showcase - not a contest.I have selected 3 stories, not based on a numerical value denoting whether or not they are good, but three examples I felt showed the writer felt joy in their creation of twisted creatures.Thanks to all the terrorizers, the exchange is… thriving…. And evolving… Unlike the exchange we hear our protagonists interact with, ours has become digital…. Still lo-fi, amateurish…. charming - but digital.This showcase is a way of giving back, for your devotion to the growth and prosperity of the exchange. May it forever live on in the darkness of our hearts.//This episode was brought to you by our newest Patreon Members and their generosity. Today we'd like to thank:Alexys Baxter, czsk, Cathy Gaubert, TTT, and Samantha Ward.//If you'd like to join them visit www.patreon.com/pulpaudio //Edited By: Mike LeBeau//Written By: Penny Durham//Directed By: Cole Weavers//This episode featured:Cole Weavers as ColeB.Narr as D//You can subscribe to this podcast using your podcast software of choice, or by visiting our Patreon for additional episodes and content//Marketed and Distributed By Rusty Quill Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we take a look at the introduced bird species in our area

We take on some tricky ethical dilemmas in how we should treat animals in nature, especially “non-native” species (more respectfully called 'Introduced species'), and when and how we should interfere in the lives of animals in a 'post wild' world, based on her thoughtful and nuanced book “Wild Souls: Freedom & Flourishing in the Non-Human World, by environmental writer Emma Marris  https://www.emmamarris.com/.  Carrie Freeman, host of "In Tune to Nature," interviews Emma in this 26-minute podcast where we discuss: the idea of abandoning "species purity" and static or colonial notions of who should be in a given ecosystem; how to value sentient beings (animals) in relation to other (plant) living beings, systems, or whole species; and ethical, fair, and compassionate ways to resolve conflicts that arise between animal species (especially "non-native" vs "native" or "endangered/rare" species). While we don't have definitive answers to these ethical dilemmas, we take a perspective that includes the interests of all animal individuals in decision-making (not just what is presumed best for the ecosystem as a whole). This is part of the classic dilemma of how to fairly balance individual rights with societal/group rights. Other resources on this topic include: The nonprofit science group working on welfare called  Wild Animal Initiative.  Or The Centre for Compassionate Conservation at UT-Sydney. Additionally, Catia Faria has a new book “Animal Ethics in the Wild”; and Kyle Johannsen has the new book "Wild Animal Ethics." In Tune to Nature is a weekly show airing on Wednesdays from 6:30-7pm EST on Atlanta indie station WRFG (Radio Free Georgia) 89.3FM hosted by Carrie Freeman or Melody Paris. Please consider donating to support this 50-year old independent progressive Atlanta radio station at www.wrfg.org  Take care of yourself and others, including all the unique beings we share our planet with.

Today's episode is all about the unique introduced species along Georgia's coast! Our barrier islands have a history of unusual animals, and we go into the mystery of these weirdos' arrivals.Click here for more information on Sapelo cattleClick here for more information about Cumberland Island.Click here for more information about St. Catherine's Island.Click here for more information about Ossabaw Island.Thank you for listening to our podcast! Please submit your comments or listener questions to SINERR.socials@gmail.com. 

What kind of thinking leads to the unleashing of exotic species on unsuspecting ecosystems? Hint: it's certainly not systems thinking or critical thinking – in fact, thinking may not be involved at all! Learn about three charter members of the Weirdo Hall of Fame who wanted you to eat tasty McHippo bacon burgers for breakfast. Influenced by the illusion of control and brainwashed by the industrial mindset, people have recklessly released plants and animals into environments where they cause colossal carnage. Perhaps you should think twice (first time in systems, second time critically) before accepting membership into the Society for the Acclimatization of Animals, Birds, Fishes, Insects and Vegetables.Support the show

"From the very beginning, everything that came off those (First Fleet) ships started to make a nuisance of themselves and before very long Sydney had a really serious feral dog problem and then they had really serious feral goat problem."

"From the very beginning, everything that came off those (First Fleet) ships started to make a nuisance of themselves and before very long Sydney had a really serious feral dog problem and then they had really serious feral goat problem."

In the uber-dry Mojave and Sonoran deserts, feral donkeys and horses dig wells that are sometimes as deep as two meters.

And so it is 2020. It has been an interesting few weeks here in Melbourne. Australia has been making headlines around the world due to a particularly severe bushfire season, and there have been a few days of smoke across the city that made things all feel a bit surreal. On a personal level, multiple […]

And so it is now 2020. It has been an interesting few weeks here in Melbourne. Australia has been making headlines around the world due to a particularly severe bushfire season, and there have been a few days of smoke across the city that made things all feel a bit surreal. On a personal level, multiple overseas visitors have helped see the local sights through a fresh lens, while a minor knee injury has meant a bit less movement than might have originally been anticipated. Recent weeks have also seen us gain a bit more familiarity with the local wildlife, too. Perhaps it is the time off that has allowed us to stop and look up for a bit, and to take a bit more accountability for nature and our surrounds. Wherever the shift in perspective has come from, it has been a welcome addition to our world.

Learn advanced English in today's Aussie Fact episode where I teach you about Australia's worst introduced species, like the rabbit and blackberries.

Now, humans have killed off many mammal species before, including: TASMANIAN TIGER: HUNTINGWESTERN BLACK RHINO: POACHINGVAKIDA - OVERFISHINGYANGTZE DOLPHIN: POLLUTIONSOUTH CHINA TIGER: POACHING SAUDI GAZELLE: HUNTINGAnd CHRISTMAS ISLAND SHREW (thanks to the INTRODUCED SPECIES yellow crazy ant - and yes - those ants are deadset mental)But the Bramble Cay Melomys is the FIRST mammal to die out due to climate change. Ummm, Congrats Australia?So, how exactly did the adorable rat-like Bramble Cay succumb to climate change?Was it that, it didn’t have adequate access to food, unlike the pizza rat? Nope.Was it that it looked like a rat, and it basically was a rat, so no one gave a rats arse? Kinda, Basically. Yeah.Scientists and the conservation community knew the Melomys was critically endangered – for a while. They believe the last melomys may have drowned in a storm surge that, because of rising sea levels caused by climate change, flooded the entire island. But It was only when someone formally declared the Bramble Cay as dead, did anyone care that it had been alive. Common story – just look at Van Gogh, Galileo and the 9/11 hijackers. Here’s what’s frustrating. Experts like Dr John Woinarski said the death of the melomys was entirely foreseeable and preventable.“IT SUFFERED FROM LIVING A LONG WAY AWAY FROM ANYWHERE ELSE, BEING A RAT, AND BEING NOT PARTICULARLY ATTRACTIVE.” - DR JOHN WOINARSKI IT “(IT) WAS NOT AN ANIMAL CHARISMATIC ENOUGH TO GARNER MUCH PUBLIC ATTENTION.” - DR JOHN WOINARSKI So in other words, if you want to not become extinct, you better bloody be the Cardi B of the animal kingdom.Obviously Australia is very sad and ashamed at the death of one of our own – so they’re totally reformed they’re climate change policies!Just kidding! Australia doesn’t give a shit.The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison – has got his hands in the pockets of big coal - and told Aussie kids on climate strike to “get back to school”. Dianne Feinstein, eat ya heart out.I should note here that the past last five Aussie summers have been like - each hotter than the last by record breaking amounts - which is by American standards – bloody hot. Not to mention longer droughts, more (and worse) bushfires, floods, you name it. Oh – and our coral reefs – bleached to high heavens. Literally.But this story isn’t just about my home country. Many more species are still vulnerable to rising sea levels and extinction from climate change.Consider this: Could we, humans, be the next Bramble Cay Melomys?Okay that’s an exaggeration, of course we won’t be the NEXT – but if we don’t get our shit together soon, well, let’s just say the endangered list is not a good place to be.But whadda you guys reckon? Are you as outraged as me at the loss of this adorable rodent? Let me know in the comments below.And, in honor of the Bramble Cay Melomys, I’ll now send you off with some photos of this lovable rat in happier times.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/sciQ)

Wasps are a big problem in New Zealand, and scientists hope that knowing the genomes of common and German wasps will help them find novel ways of controlling the pests.

Wasps are a big problem in New Zealand, and scientists hope that knowing the genomes of common and German wasps will help them find novel ways of controlling the pests.

Episode 7 of the Permanent Evolution Podcast. In part 1, Dr Coludar and Dr Jackson discuss an article - "If Philosophy Won’t Diversify, Let’s Call It What It Really Is" - published in the New York Times in 2016 which caused quite a bit of controversy. The original article can be found here: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/11/opinion/if-philosophy-wont-diversify-lets-call-it-what-it-really-is.html And some of the commentary can be found here: https://storify.com/BryanVanNorden/ethnocentrism-strikes-back In Part 2, we play a new game - "Devil's Advocate" - in which we come up with a proposition then throw (digital) dice to find out who will be defending it and who will be attempting to refute it. This time round, the proposition was "Non-native species are alien and damage the integrity of ecosystems, their eradication must therefore be a priority for conservation efforts." Thanks for listening!

Introduced koi carp are a nuisance in lakes and rivers in the Waikato, and the CarpN Neutral project catches them and turns their bodies into fertiliser for use in native revegetation programmes.

Introduced koi carp are a nuisance in lakes and rivers in the Waikato, and the CarpN Neutral project catches them and turns their bodies into fertiliser for use in native revegetation programmes.

Pete Convey, a polar ecologist at the British Antarctic Survey, discusses how growing numbers of tourists and a changing climate increase the risk of species invasions.

A team of biologists and chemists are developing super lures, based on pheromones found in animal urine, that they hope will be more attractive and longer lasting than food lures

Pete Convey, a polar ecologist at the British Antarctic Survey, discusses how growing numbers of tourists and a changing climate increase the risk of species invasions.

A team of biologists and chemists are developing super lures, based on pheromones found in animal urine, that they hope will be more attractive and longer lasting than food lures

Georgia Hitch and Alice Williamson take a look at new ways to solve some of the infestations threatening our fragile ecosystems.

In this episode, we will hear about how European starlings colonised North America, how the burrow structure of rabbits change as they move from the countryside into cities, and why polar bears have smelly feet!.

In this episode, we will hear about how European starlings colonised North America, how the burrow structure of rabbits change as they move from the countryside into cities, and why polar bears have smelly feet!.

The long-term success of an introduced population depends on the ecological conditions in its new environment, but is also influenced by stochasticity. This is particularly clear in the first stage of an invasion when the population is still small and either goes extinct quickly or establishes a self-sustaining population. Once established, some populations grow and spread spatially, with potential impacts on native communities and ecosystems. The role of stochasticity during these later invasion stages remains unclear. Furthermore, little is known about the population genetic and evolutionary consequences of stochastic invasion trajectories. With this dissertation, I would like to contribute to a stochastic eco-genetic theory of the entire invasion process—from the first introduction up to potential impacts. The overarching questions in this dissertation are: a) How does a population’s movement through the invasion process depend on ecological factors influencing its average growth rate? b) How does it depend on factors influencing the stochastic variability in the population dynamics? c) How much genetic diversity do introduced populations harbor on average upon reaching a certain point in the invasion process? d) To what extent can the population-genetic consequences of invasion trajectories feed back onto the population dynamics? Together with my advisors and coauthors, I have conducted four studies, each addressing two or more of these questions for specific ecological scenarios. We employ several types of stochastic models: Markov chains, Markov processes, their diffusion approximations, and coalescent-like genealogy simulations. In Chapter 1 (Wittmann et al., 2013a, appeared in Theoretical Population Biology), we focus on a factor influencing the introduced population’s average growth rate: the intensity of competition with an ecologically similar native species. Our results indicate that the expected time until the introduced species drives the native competitor to extinction is smallest for intermediate competition intensity. This phenomenon results from the opposing effects of competition intensity at different points of the invasion process: On the one hand, intense competition renders the establishment of the introduced population more difficult; on the other hand, it facilitates the later exclusion of the native species. In Chapter 1, we also investigate to what extent the native species’ extinction is accelerated if a reduction in population size entails a reduction in genetic diversity and thus a reduced ability to adapt to a changing environment. We find this eco-genetic feedback to be particularly strong at small competition intensities. In Chapter 2 (Wittmann et al., 2013b, in press at Oikos), we compare introduction regimes with the same average number of individuals introduced per time unit, but with a different temporal distribution. Relative to regimes with many small introduction events, regimes with few large introduction events generate more variability in population-size trajectories. We show that this variability helps introduced populations to overcome difficult stages in the invasion process (those with a negative average growth rate), but is disadvantageous during easy stages (those with a positive average growth rate). In the light of our results, we can reinterpret three published data sets on invasion success under different introduction regimes. In Chapters 3 and 4 (Wittmann et al., 2013c,d), we examine levels of genetic diversity in populations that have successfully overcome a strong demographic Allee effect. In this ecological scenario, the average population growth rate is negative below a certain critical population size and positive above, such that the first stage in the invasion process is difficult and the second one easy. In Chapter 3, we assume Poisson-distributed offspring numbers. We show that compared to successful populations without an Allee effect, successful Allee-effect populations are expected to harbor either more or less genetic diversity, depending on the magnitude of typical founder population sizes relative to the critical population size. Part of the explanation is that, counter-intuitively, successful Allee-effect populations escape particularly fast from the range of small population sizes where genetic drift is strongest. In Chapter 3, we also identify conditions under which the critical population size can be estimated from genetic data. In Chapter 4, we consider a range of offspring-number models leading to either more or less variability in population dynamics than the Poisson model. For a fixed founder population size, we observe that the Allee effect has a negative influence on genetic diversity for small amounts of variability, but a positive influence for large amounts of variability. We show that the differences between our various offspring-number models are so substantial that they cannot be resolved by rescaling the parameters of the Poisson model. Taken together, these results offer some general conclusions with respect to the four main questions raised above. a) How fast an introduced population completes the invasion process is mainly determined by the presence and severity of difficult stages. Therefore, an ecological change promotes invasion success if it lessens such difficult stages. b) From the perspective of the introduced population, variability is advantageous during difficult but not during easy stages of the invasion process. c) Because the strength of genetic drift depends on population size, a key to understanding the population genetic consequences of invasion trajectories is to consider how much time the population of interest spends in different population-size ranges. d) Feedbacks between a reduction in population size and a loss of genetic diversity are strongest in ecological scenarios where the population of interest spends considerable time at small population sizes. Some of the most striking results in this dissertation cannot be understood from a deterministic point of view, but only when considering stochasticity. Thus, stochasticity does not just add “noise” to some average outcome, but can qualitatively change the behavior of biological systems.

With less than 150 living representatives worldwide, the flightless Kakapo of New Zealand is an iconic speceis and poster child for the effects of introduced invasive species.  Join us as we speaks with Karen Arnold of the New Zealand government's Kakapo Recovery program which manages the last remaining members of this rapidly disappearing species. Be sure to join us live Friday night at 10pm EST and listen to the word-famous, award nominated, often imitated never duplicated...UrbanJunglesRadio

Could diet foods be making you fatter? How do we learn to like the foods we eat? This week, we indulge in the science of appetite, diet and diabetes. We'll find out how our early experiences of food can alter our diets for life, and ask if low calorie alternatives to sweet and fatty foods can fool the brain into underestimating the energy content of the real thing. Also, how synthetic chemists are searching for compounds to monitor blood glucose and control diabetes. Plus, how regions of the brain can "catch" Alzheimer's from each other, we discover a new microscopy technique that can... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Could diet foods be making you fatter? How do we learn to like the foods we eat? This week, we indulge in the science of appetite, diet and diabetes. We'll find out how our early experiences of food can alter our diets for life, and ask if low calorie alternatives to sweet and fatty foods can fool the brain into underestimating the energy content of the real thing. Also, how synthetic chemists are searching for compounds to monitor blood glucose and control diabetes. Plus, how regions of the brain can "catch" Alzheimer's from each other, we discover a new microscopy technique that can... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists