BBC Inside Science BBC Inside Science

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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