Flora
The wild ancestors of common domestic fruit trees are in danger of becoming extinct.
Scientists have discovered the source of the gigantic green tide of algae that almost derailed the Beijing Olympics sailing regatta.
Fauna
Tagging whale sharks in the Maldives.
Does Homo floresiensis truly represent a new hominid species?
Natural Resources and Public Policy
U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced that he will retain the Bush administration’s controversial rule on polar bear protections, rejecting special authority given to him by Congress and the pleas of Democratic lawmakers, environmentalists and scientists to overturn the regulation.
To help starving vultures, EU farmers are to be allowed to leave dead livestock in their fields.
Podcasts
BirdNote – Hummingbirds, waterthrushes, and some very handy nest box advice.
Birdwatch Radio – Prominent naturalists – as well as yours truly – reflect on springtime and migration.
Ecological Society of America Podcast – Tropical reefs are known to be teeming with biological diversity and density, which can make life difficult for a little fish trying to make it.
SPECIAL MENTION! Fresh Air – Douglas Emlen, a professor of biology at the University of Montana, discusses the world of the dung beetle. (Get this one fast; they only keep the most recent seven episodes available for download at no charge.)
Green Week in Review – The Environmental Protection Agency issued a draft rule this week for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels.
Nature – Something in their genes helps finches sing the right song.
Nature Stories – Conservation on the island of Vanuatu.
Sierra Club Radio – Hockey legend and former N.Y. Ranger Mike Richter on his new career as an environmentalist, Nick Ellis from the search firm Bright Green Talent on the emerging green job market, Rebecca Hoffman on green gifts for Mother’s Day, and Chef Annie Somerville gives organic cuisine tips for spring.
