How Are the Birds Doing?

In this episode, macroecologist Damaris Zurell and host Volker Hahn look at what the data tell us about bird change worldwide. While bird numbers (abundance) have declined in Europe and North America, some species are increasing—and local species richness can remain stable even as bird communities undergo major changes. They discuss the roles of habitat loss, land-use change, climate change and direct exploitation, and explore what can be done to protect birds—from international conservation efforts to creating better habitats in our own gardens.

In this episode, podcast host Volker Hahn talks to Louise McRae about the new Living Planet Index (LPI) featured in WWF’s new Living Planet Report, published on 8 October 2026.

In this episode, host Volker Hahn speaks with macroecologist Shai Meiri about the state of reptiles worldwide. Which reptile groups are most threatened? Why do we know so little about lizards and snakes? And how do public perceptions influence research and conservation? The episode explores global reptile trends, the major threats they face, and why these often-overlooked animals deserve far more attention.

Is biodiversity always declining? Or is the story more complicated? In this special review episode, host Volker Hahn revisits highlights from previous episodes to explore biodiversity change and the biodiversity conservation paradox. Featuring insights from leading researchers, the episode explains why biodiversity trends depend on scale, the metrics we use, and the species we study. It revisits scientific debates, challenges common assumptions, and shows why understanding biodiversity change requires nuance rather than simple narratives.

In this episode, plant ecologists Ute Jandt and Helge Bruelheide explain why a greener planet isn’t necessarily a more diverse one. They discuss global greening, the rise of generalist species, the homogenisation of ecosystems, and how rewilding, forestry, and agriculture can help conserve plant biodiversity in a changing world with podcast host Volker Hahn.

In this episode, Volker Hahn talks to Carlo Rondinini, Professor of Zoology at Sapienza University of Rome, about wolves, beavers, otters, hedgehogs, jackals, and the global fate of mammals. They explore why some species are making remarkable comebacks in Europe, while one quarter of mammals worldwide are at risk of extinction. And although the threats are complex — from habitat loss and overexploitation to climate change — Rondinini says one solution matters more than almost anything else.

Why are insects declining — and what can social media teach us about biodiversity? Entomologist Dr Shawan Chowdhury talks with host Volker Hahn about his research on insect conservation and protected areas, the striking lack of data from tropical regions, and how Facebook, iNaturalist and other platforms can help fill these gaps. Shawan also shares how he uses social media not only as a scientific tool, but as a bridge between research and the public — and why communicating science across cultures matters as much as doing it.

Are insect numbers really declining — and if so, why? In this episode, entomologist Roel van Klink explains what long-term data reveal about global and local insect trends and why the causes behind these changes remain surprisingly uncertain. We also discuss why it is difficult to distinguish between natural fluctuations and human-driven impacts, such as land-use change or climate change. We explore what scientists currently know, what they still don’t know, and why understanding these drivers is crucial for biodiversity conservation.

How can conservation succeed in a polarised society? This episode features Taylor Dotson, a Science and Technology Studies scholar and an associate professor at New Mexico Tech. Together with podcast host Volker Hahn, Dotson discusses his new book, “Conservation by the people – The Future of Biodiversity in a Divided World”. In it, Dotson describes “fanatical confrontations over nature”, and he explores ways of resolving environmental disputes productively and democratically. How can we better understand those who oppose conservation policies? How do we prevent biodiversity policy from becoming as polarising as climate change? How can incremental change through trial and error help us achieve what Dotson calls “biodiversity democracy”?

In this episode, Professor Katrin Böhning-Gaese, scientific director of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, and podcast host Dr. Volker Hahn discuss the Planetary Boundaries framework, focusing not only on the science but also considering the value of this framework for communication. Other questions at the heart of this episode are: Where has communication on climate and biodiversity gone wrong? Is there a tendency to exaggerate risks and understate progress? What are the consequences of catastrophizing rhetoric for mental health and people’s readiness to act? What can biodiversity communication learn from climate communication, and vice versa? Most importantly, how can researchers and the media do better?