21 May Podcast Episode 1
Soil Biodiversity with Dr Valerie Behan-Pelletier
Soil Biodiversity with Dr Valerie Behan-Pelletier
In this episode of What the f*** is biodiversity, Ann and Val talk about the incredibly biodiverse world of soil and how it connects to the ground above that we as humans inhabit. We rely so much on the work of many different arthropods, like soil mites, since these small creatures are an integral part of the soil food web. Wherever there is food or vegetation, there are soil mites. And without the vital work they do, the quality of our food would seriously decline.
About Dr Valerie Behan-Pelletier
Val is among the world’s leading experts on soil biodiversity. She is a specialist on the systematics and ecology of soil mites in ecosystems globally including arctic, temperate and tropical biomes. Presently, she is an Honorary Research Associate in the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Ottawa, where she worked as a Research Scientist for over 30 years. She is an Editor of the Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas and the Oxford University Press Soil Ecology and Ecosystem Services. Val taught courses on mites at Carleton University and the Acarology Summer Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. She has advised Ph.D. and postdoctoral students from Canada, USA, Georgia, Norway, Japan and China. She was a member of the UNEP Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) Soil and Sediment Subcommittee exploring the interrelationships and interdependence of soil, freshwater and marine sediments and contributed to SCOPE 64 Sustaining Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Soils and Sediments Island Press. Val is a Fellow of The Entomological Society of Canada, has been a recipient of Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship, is a past member of NSERC’s GSC on Evolution and Ecology, a peer reviewer for Canada Research Chairs, and was a long-term member of the Scientific Committee of the Biological Survey of Canada. She is a graduate of University College Dublin, Ireland and McGill University, Montreal.
CHECK OUT VAL’S BLOG POST
About Dr Valerie Behan-Pelletier
Val is among the world’s leading experts on soil biodiversity. She is a specialist on the systematics and ecology of soil mites in ecosystems globally including arctic, temperate and tropical biomes. Presently, she is an Honorary Research Associate in the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Ottawa, where she worked as a Research Scientist for over 30 years. She is an Editor of the Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas and the Oxford University Press Soil Ecology and Ecosystem Services. Val taught courses on mites at Carleton University and the Acarology Summer Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. She has advised Ph.D. and postdoctoral students from Canada, USA, Georgia, Norway, Japan and China. She was a member of the UNEP Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) Soil and Sediment Subcommittee exploring the interrelationships and interdependence of soil, freshwater and marine sediments and contributed to SCOPE 64 Sustaining Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Soils and Sediments Island Press. Val is a Fellow of The Entomological Society of Canada, has been a recipient of Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship, is a past member of NSERC’s GSC on Evolution and Ecology, a peer reviewer for Canada Research Chairs, and was a long-term member of the Scientific Committee of the Biological Survey of Canada. She is a graduate of University College Dublin, Ireland and McGill University, Montreal.
CHECK OUT VAL’S BLOG POST
Episode Notes
DR VALERIE BEHAN-PELLETIER RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
COLLEMBOLA SPRINGTAILS
- Hidden housemates: springtails are everywhere, even in your home, by Penelope Greenslade, The Conversation
IRISH POTATO FAMINE
CO-BENEFITS
- Co-Benefits of Climate Action, Changing the Conversation
- What are climate action co-benefits? video, HEAD Talks (CRC Research)
- Climate Action Co-benefits and Integrated Community Planning: Uncovering the Synergies and Trade-Offs., by Drs Robert Newell, Ann Dale and Mark Roseland, International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts & Responses
- Climate change sustainability strategies can also benefit biodiversity, by Dr Robert Newell, NET Blog
3 SOIL MITES NAMED AFTER VAL (there are over 150)
- Ceratoppia valerieae
- Ceratozetes behani
- Valbehanella freestatensis
Learn more on the Integrated Taxonomic Information System website.
TARDIGRADS: ‘WATER BEARS’ OR ‘MOSS PIGLETS’
- What is a tardigrade?, National Geographic
- Tardigrades Are the Toughest Animal on Earth that can Survive Space and Volcanoes video, The Dodo
NORMAN MYERS (SCIENTIST)
- Norman Myers Dies at 85; Sounded Early Alarm on Environment, by Daniel E. Slotnik, New York Times
BIODIVERSITY CONVERSATIONS
- Biodiversity Conversations: How Important are the Common Loon and Polar Bear to Canadians?, Changing the Conversation
- Biodiversity Action Agenda: A Call to Action for All Canadians, Women for Nature
PROTECTED AREAS/PLACES/SPACES (NAME VARIES)
- What is a protected area?, The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- Protected areas, Government of Canada
- Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- How can Canada protect biodiversity?, by Jeremy Guth, NET Blog
- Canada is increasing protected areas but how do we pay for them?, by Jeremy Guth, NET Blog
- How the green bond market can help fund protected areas, by Jeremy Guth, NET Blog
- Animal road crossings ensure safe passage for wildlife, by Jaime Clifton-Ross, NET Blog
MACLEANS SALMON ARTICLE
- Sockeye salmon stocks are crashing. Long-lost notebooks saw it coming. By Alanna Mitchell, MacLean’s
- History of Commercial Fisheries, The Canadian Encyclopedia (see ‘Codfish Moratorium’ section)