The state of our substrate: What is drought doing to our soil?
Aug 6, 2026 · 26m
Summary
This episode examines how severe drought damages soil ecosystems, featuring Professor Katie Field on microbial stress and subsidence risks. Virologist Tis Kuyken discusses the spread of H5N1 bird flu in Australia and its origins in poultry farming. ESA engineer Esther Bastida-Bertegas explains the Proba-3 mission’s artificial solar eclipses, while Lizzie Gibney reveals ancient Amazonian earthworks discovered via LIDAR.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and intro
Episode overview: drought, eclipse, bird flu
Drought impact on soil health and microbes
Garden water conservation tips
H5N1 bird flu spread in Australia and risks
Listener contact and ad break
ESA's Proba-3 artificial solar eclipse mission
Amazon geoglyphs discovered via LIDAR
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