In our monthly podcast, Counting the Earth, award-winning science journalist Sue Nelson and UKCEH’s Alice Hope explore the numbers behind nature, picking apart the statistics surrounding climate and biodiversity, and tallying up the contributions that the natural world makes to our lives.

Each episode starts with a number and then delves into what it really means – from the zero in net zero and the vital statistics of earthworms – to the ideal length of hedgerow to support biodiversity and store carbon. Find the latest episodes on Spotify, Apple, Google, or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review.

Episodes

The Spongescapes team beside the pond. Image by Boffin Media
Slow the flow: 5.7 million
An estimated 5.7 million properties in England face flood risks. In this episode, we explore how nature-based approaches, like leaky dams and swales, can work beside traditional flood management techniques to help manage water flow through catchments.
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Dr Gbotemi Adediran and Alice Hope in the CoreMiS facility
Breaking down microplastics: 115
In this episode Alice and Sue explore microplastics—tiny plastic particles that permeate soil, water, food, drinking supplies, and even our bodies—and ask how much do we actually understand about their long-term effects?
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Lee Walker and Alice Hope looking at bird samples in a freezer
Chilling facts about forever chemicals: 1000
We find out about forever chemicals – persistent pollutants that can pose serious environmental and health risks and brave the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme's icy freezers to discover what dead birds like buzzards and barn owls reveal about how these chemicals accumulate.
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Woodland canopy at Heartwood Forest
Into the woods: 30,000
Join Sue and Alice for an exploration of the past, present and future of the UK's woodlands, with help from Chris Nichols of the Woodland Trust and Stephen Cavers from UKCEH.
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Puffins landing on a rock on the Isle of May
Puffin patrol on the Isle of May: 52,000
Alice and Sue journey to the Isle of May to learn about the long-term monitoring of the seabird colonies that live there and uncover the history of this National Nature Reserve.
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Four people on a boat on Windermere on a wet day
A deep dive into Windermere: 79
Join Alice and Sue out on the water with UKCEH scientists Eleanor Mackay and Heather Moorhouse as they explore the deep waters and vibrant ecosystem of this iconic lake.
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Sue Nelson and Claire Carvell beside a pan trap used for monitoring pollinators
What's the buzz: 1500
In this episode, Alice Hope and Sue Nelson get knee-deep in flowers to hear which plants attract the most pollinators – those vital bees, butterflies, wasps, beetles, flies and moths – and why.
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Three people standing in a river recording a podcast
Reflections on our rivers: 14
Sue and Alice dive into the factors affecting the ecological health of our rivers, encountering some fascinating river residents along the way and exploring how both the state of our rivers and our approach to monitoring them is changing over time.  

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Two people standing at the edge of a saltmarsh
Secrets of the Saltmarsh: 450
From wildlife habitat to carbon storage, discover the huge benefits that these complex coastal ecosystems have to offer!
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Alice Hope and Alex Robinson from UKCEH with a tray containing earthworms
Soil superheroes: 50 trillion
Delve into the vital statistics of earthworms, as Alice and Sue uncover the unsung heroes of our soil.
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Natural regeneration of trees following reduction in grazing at Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve Picture: Mike Morecroft
Nature for net zero: 0
Sue and Alice visit Heartwood Forest and the Fens to explore how far nature-based solutions like planting trees and restoring peatlands can take us towards net zero.
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Three UKCEH people recording a podcast beside a hedgerow
Hedgelife: 390,000
Sue and Alice poke around that great staple of the British countryside - the hedgerow - and discover a surprising variety of residents, from mice to molluscs.
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Producer: Rachael Buchanan

A Boffin Media production for the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

 

Counting the Earth
Listen to the series trailer