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Last broadcast on Tue, 8 Sep 2009, 15:00 on BBC Radio 4.
Synopsis
Our planet is peppered with great valleys and depressions, many of which are both arid and below sea level. We are concerned that rising sea levels will threaten coastal populations, so could we not kill two birds with one stone by pumping sea water into, say, the Great African Rift Valley? It could also generate power by running the water through hydro-electric turbines. Once done, the once-arid areas would be overflowing with sea water, good for algae but not for the majority of land grown crops. So could genetic engineering step in to produce salt tolerant plants able to feast on this bounty/
Plus a discussion of the world's distribution of oxygen, tackling invasive plants by targeting their friendly funghi and how much we can allow scepticism to stifle action on climate change.
On the panel are Prof Sue Buckingham, Director of Centre for Human Geography at Brunel University, planet geneticist Prof Denis Murphy of the University of Glamorgan, and Prof Philip Stott, an environmental scientist from the University of London. As always we want to hear listeners' comments on the topics discussed and any questions to put to future programmes.
Don't forget we want to hear your observations of House Martins; have they returned this year and when, and have they bred successfully?
Guest: Professor Sue Buckingham
Guest: Professor Denis Murphy
Guest: Professor Philip Stott
British Trust for Ornithology House Martins Survey
The British Trust for Ornithology has existed since 1933 as an independent, scientific research trust, investigating the populations, movements and ecology of wild birds in the British Isles.
Could we lower sea levels by pumping water into the Great African Rift Valley?
Useful Links
A simple map of East Africa showing the tectonic plates involved in the generation of the Rift Valley. Source: United States Geographical Survey.
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Detailed information on the seismic behaviour of the Rift Valley. Source: International Geological Correlation Programme.
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A news story reporting on the possible link between earthquakes and large bodies of water. Source: BBC News.
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A news story on the possible link between a large reservoir and a Chinese earthquake. Source: New York Times.
Can plants be made salt tolerant by genetic modification?
Useful Links
A brief introduction to the most comprehensive database of salt tolerant plants. Source: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
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Information on mangroves and their ability to tolerate salt water. Source: State University of New York.
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A link to the book “Saline Agriculture: Salt-Tolerant Plants for Developing Countries”. A Report of a Panel of the Board on Science and Technology for International Development, National Research Council. The book is available to read online for free.
Saline Agriculture: Salt-Tolerant Plants for Developing Countries
Useful Links
A news story describing the recent development of a genetically modified salt tolerant plant.
Can invasive plants be controlled by attacking their symbiotic funghi?
Useful Links
An overview of micorrhizal symbioses. Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations that form between the roots of most plant species and fungi.
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Information on the spread and damage caused by Rhododendron.
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Information on invasive species from the Global Invasive Species Programme.
Protecting plants and plant habitats from invasive alien species (.pdf file)
How is oxygen distributed around the planet?
Useful Links
An introduction to photosynthesis, the process by which plants fix carbon and produce oxygen. Source: Arizona State University.
An Introduction to Photosynthesis and Its Applications - ASU
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An article describing the origin of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere. Source: Scientific American.
The Origin of Oxygen in Earth's Atmosphere - Scientific American
Useful Links
A detailed description of how the winds flow around the globe.
Broadcast
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Tue 8 Sep 200915:00
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