Sex, Dung and Climate Change

Mating systems are hugely variable across the animal kingdom, ranging from species where individuals carefully assess and choose their mates, through to ones which just toss their eggs and sperm out into the environment and let the wind or currents sort it all out. Now, research is telling us that a species’ mating system plays an important part in determining whether it can adapt in the face of changing environments. Rob Knell will explain how this may give species with extravagant ornaments or weapons - long tails, big antlers or bright colours an edge and discuss what seems to be happening

This talk is going to give you a full introduction to bacteria, including their living enviroments, such as biofilms, their nemesises of antibiotics, and a view of the world from their vantage point. To get real up close and personal with these miniature microbes, we'll be making models of bacteria.

Estuaries are formed by river and tidal currents, and are the most dynamic landscapes on earth. These systems form valuable ecological habitats, are often densely populated and are of great economic importance by providing access to important harbours. Anne Baar will be telling us all about these essential regions of our planet and how we can predict how the face of our planet is changing.