This week, ballads tell stories about all kinds of real-life events, but after Hurricane Helene, one group of ballad singers felt some topics were still too raw. Also, the author of a new book on ancient Ohio credits a former grad student with introducing him to the region’s mysterious earthworks. And, the legacy of Affrilachian poet Norman Jordan includes a summer camp for teens to study their heritage.
The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom Presents: Signal Species
What can wildlife tell us about our ecosystem — and will we listen?
The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom and our partners are exploring what wildlife can tell us about our environment. Photo Credit: WPLN News
A “signal” or “indicator” species is an organism that can tell us about changes occurring in an ecosystem.
We’re talking bears encountering humans more frequently, armadillos moving farther north, invasive vines like kudzu growing at accelerated rates and bat populations dwindling.
These are all examples of species sending us signals about our changing world and climate — but are we paying attention? And if we are, is there a way to contribute to scientific findings? (Spoiler alert: Yes! iNaturalist will be entering the chat.)
The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom and our partner stations in Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia are bringing you answers through a series of features all about wildlife. We’ll publish a new story each Monday in June, with full episodes of WPLN’s This Is Nashville dedicated to the series airing on June 2 and June 23.
Reporters: Catherine Eggers, Jacqui Sieber, Giselle Rhoden, Eric Douglas Producers: Megan Jones, Andrew Henderson, Jared Kunish Editor: John Boyle Additional editing: Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones, Tasha A.F. Lemley.
