Available online
Description
Saving Species on BBC Radio 4 explores biodiversity, conservation and natural history, both in the UK and across the globe.
Saving Species on BBC Radio 4 explores biodiversity, conservation and natural history, both in the UK and across the globe.
| Series: | Saving species; Series 3 |
|---|---|
| Episode | 22 |
| First transmission date: | 2013-01-29 |
| Original broadcast channel: | BBC Radio 4 |
| Published: | 2013 |
| Rights Statement: | Rights owned or controlled by The Open University |
| Restrictions on use: | This material can be used in accordance with The Open University conditions of use. A link to the conditions can be found at the bottom of all OU Digital Archive web pages. |
| Duration: | 00:28:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Sheena Duncan |
| Presenter: | Brett Westwood |
| Contributors: | Kelvin Boot; David Browne; Richard Bullock; David Bunt; Sian Griffiths; Joanna Pinnock; Brett Westwood |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Footage description: | American eels (Anguilla rostrata) and European eels (Anguilla anguilla) share very similar lifecycles; as juvenile glass eels they migrate from the Sargasso Sea, in the Western Atlantic, to fresh water river systems where they spend many years before returning to the Sargasso Sea to spawn. The two species also face similar threats, albeit in different parts of the world. These include sluices, hydropower dams and the commercial fishing trade. A further threat comes from flood prevention measures which impede on the eel's migratory routes when travelling both upsteam and back out to sea. Chinese Mitten crabs were first found in the River Thames in the 1930s. As one of the world's 100 worst invasive species it arrived via ballast water in ships that came from the Far East. The crab has distinctive furry hairs on its pincers which is how it gets its name. As the crab spreads through waterways in the UK, it is causing concern as by burying into the base of river banks it is causing erosion. Also in the programme - news from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot, plus details on how you can contibute and use the Open University's iSpot facility. |
| Production number: | AUDA628B |
| Available to public: | no |
