Episode
The State of Nature Update #26 Podcast
- Podcast
- Nature Signals Podcast
- Published
- Jun 10, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 832
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
This episode explores six biodiversity stories from around the world: how elephant dung supports diverse dung beetle communities that drive nutrient cycling and seed dispersal in African ecosystems; the death of the last known Sacramento Mountains checkerspot caterpillar, which could mean that the rare butterfly is now extinct; surprising new evidence that daddy longlegs in South America can hunt and kill frogs despite their seemingly harmless appearance; the tagging of a nesting female sea turtle in Ecuador to better understand migration routes and reduce deadly fishing-net entanglements of eastern Pacific leatherback turtles; how an Italian farm is using forest-inspired, biodiversity-rich practices to build resilience against climate change while improving soil health; and it considers the argument that restoring and protecting nature may be one of the most effective climate solutions, simultaneously storing carbon, supporting biodiversity, and benefiting local communities. Key points: 1:01 – Elephant poop’s essential role in African ecosystems, thanks to dunk beetles. 4:04 - The last known caterpillar of a rare butterfly has died, all but eliminating all hope of reviving the species. 5:43 - Daddy longlegs don’t just eat insects - they also hunt down frogs. 7:15 - Scientists tagged a rare sea turtle while she was laying eggs, hoping to discover her migration and feeding patterns to help with conservation decisions. 8:18 - Incorporating nature into farming practices to make crops resilient to climate change. 10:47 - Biodiversity conservation as a solution for climate change. Articles & Resources: Anthropocene Magazine, 5/28/2026, by Warren Cornwall: What happens to the small things when the big things disappear ? Gijsman, Nutter, and Pringle, 2026: Importance of eleph…