Month: January 2012
Pulse of the Planet Daily Audio
Science Diary: Monkeys – Finding Howlers
When searching for Howler monkeys, use your ears, and exercise patience.
January 30, 2012Science Diary: Monkeys – Howler Crop Raiders
Humans aren’t the only species to enjoy seasonal fruit. During Costa Rica’s short mango season, howler monkeys take full advantage.
January 27, 2012Science Diary: Monkeys – Costa Rican Model
Wildlife reserves account for 25 percent of Costa Rica. But these regions are isolated and this has a major impact on their wildlife.
January 26, 2012Science Diary: Sharks – Big Mako
While catching and tagging sharks, a sports fisherman turned ecologist sees them in a new light.
January 25, 2012Science Diary: Sharks – Squid
What weighs 100 pounds, has a beak, and fights sharks? A feisty California Calamari!
January 24, 2012Science Diary: Sharks – Tagging
Hooked! Catch and release shark tagging off California’s coast.
January 23, 2012Science Diary: Sharks – Reeling In
In the Pacific Ocean, a shark abundance survey team catches, calms and tags sharks, in an effort to monitor their population.
January 20, 2012Science Diary: Tundra – Stored
Stored in Alaska’s icy tundra is carbon, hundreds and thousands of years old. Global warming may unlock this carbon, which could result in a runaway greenhouse effect.
January 19, 2012Science Diary: Tundra – Pulling Roots
Even on a balmy day in Alaska, ice can be found just below the surface of the soil. But as global warming melts this ice, the ecosystem may be in jeopardy.
January 18, 2012Science Diary: Tundra – Pumping Carbon
How would you measure the release of carbon from the vast landscape of Alaska’s tundra? Think small.
January 17, 2012Science Diary: Tundra – Clipping
Science Diarist Ted Schuur is in Alaska’s northern latitudes, using ordinary garden clippers and canning jars to conduct cutting edge climate research.
January 16, 2012Science Diary: Tundra – Finding a Sample
Climate change is having a significant impact on Alaska’s tundra. And as frozen soils melt, the release of carbon may have a significant impact on our climate.
January 13, 2012KSC – Animal Smarts – How Smart
Will Fetch For Food! – How do dogs go about solving their everyday problems?
January 12, 2012KSC – Animal Smarts – Breed Smarts
If Einstein was a dog, would he have been a Jack Russell Terrier or a Labrador Retriever?
January 11, 2012KSC – Animal Smarts – Successful
How have dogs have managed to “nose” their way into the lives of humans around the world?
January 10, 2012Plough Monday – Tradition
Imagine a holiday like Halloween, with a bit of Mardi Gras thrown in, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what Plough Monday was like – in 18th century rural England.
January 9, 2012Plough Monday – Purpose
Once a year, riotous behavior gave farm workers an escape from social constraints in 18th century England.
January 6, 2012Three Kings Day – The Magi
One of our listeners returns to his homeland of Puerto Rico each year for the celebration of the Epiphany.
January 5, 2012Three Kings Day – Parranda
“It’s Christmas caroling – Puerto Rican Style!” In the days leading up to the Feast of Epiphany, the sounds of Parrandas are heard throughout the island.
January 4, 2012Three Kings Day – Holiday Foods
In Puerto Rico, Three Kings Day is a festival for the palate, with savory traditional foods such as roasted pig.
January 3, 2012Yoiks – Memories
For the Sami people of Scandinavia, yoiking is a sonorous characterization of loved ones.
January 2, 2012Hogmanay: Biggest Day of the Year
Scottish culture preserves New Year’s Day as the most important family holiday.