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Saving Species

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Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Saving Species: Series 1: Episode 22

Series 1

Episode 22

BBC Radio 4 - Saving Species, Series 1, Episode 22

Saving Species visits the Mississippi Delta in the aftermarth of the Gulf oil spill.

Saving Species visits the Mississippi Delta and asks naturalists and biologists 'just how tough are the oceans' defences to huge pollution events like the recent oil spill'?

22/40. How tough are oceans? Biologists use the word 'resilience'. In this programme we're devoting our air time to the resilience of oceans. The Gulf of Mexico spill remains fresh in our minds. For now the oil leak is plugged and as the weeks and months unfold so the impact of this pollution event will be assessed. Resilience in an ecological sense means the ability of a wilderness, an ocean, to continue to function in the light of external change. The sea is made of community upon community of animals, plants and microbes which eat each other, grow on each other and parasitise each other in such a way that nutrient is circulated and populations of species are sustained.

Howard Stableford will be in the Mississippi Delta area gathering information about the resilience of a huge river Delta and its relationship with the sea.

Kelvin Boot will be talking to experts about the sea's ability to rebuff pollution events and human exploitation.

How much flex is in the system? We'll find out.

Presented by Kelvin Boot
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species: Series 1

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Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Brett Westwood examines the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

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