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In Defense of Plants Podcast

In Defense of Plants
Climate Change
Biodiversity
Botany
Ecology
Native Plants
Paleobotany
Invasive Species
Plant Conservation
Conservation
Pollination
Bryophytes
Orchids
Plant Ecology
Plant Evolution
Gardening
Fireflies
Devonian Period
Plant Stress
Evolutionary Biology
Ecosystem Health

Plants are everything. They are also incredibly interesting. From the smallest duckweed to the tallest redwood, the botanical world is full of wonder. Tune in for a podcast celebrating everything botany.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes595Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesNatureScience

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Artwork for In Defense of Plants Podcast

Latest Episodes

Habitats face pressures from all sorts of threats. Illegal logging, mining, and poaching are driving extinctions, accelerating climate change, and hurting communities everywhere. How can we use laws to change this? That is what Senior Lecturer at Lan... more

Puerto Rico may not be a very large island but its forests certainly are complex. Historically, Puerto Rico lost nearly 95% of its forest cover due to human activities but humans are also playing an important role in how they grow back. Understanding... more

Epiphytes of one kind or another are ubiquitous components of ecosystems around the globe, but we still know little about what they are doing up in the forest canopy. For instance, how do epiphytes influence the water cycle of various ecosystems? Fig... more

Rare plants aren't rare for the same reasons. They aren't even rare at different points in time. Figuring out the causes and consequences of plant rarity on a species by species basis is both very hard and very important. Ecologists have to get creat... more

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Recent Guests

Jacob Phelps
Senior lecturer at Lancaster Environment Center; executive director of Conservation Litigation
Lancaster University; Conservation Litigation
Episode: Ep. 591 - Justice for Habitats
Dr. Ariel Lugo
Ecologist and longtime Puerto Rico forest researcher
US Forest Service; International Institute of Tropical Forestry, University of Florida (retired)
Episode: Ep. 590 - The Complex Ecology of Puerto Rico's Forests
John Van Stan
Professor at Cleveland State University, Wet Plant Lab
Cleveland State University
Episode: Ep. 589 - Epiphytes & the Water Cycle
Dr. Varina Crisfield
Plant ecologist researching rarity and conservation, based in Boreal Canada
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
Episode: Ep. 588 - Investigating Boreal Rarities
Ashley Morris
Professor of biology and lab lead focused on clonal plants
Furman University
Episode: Ep. 587 - Cloning & Conservation in Plants
Juan Chávez
Conservationist working with Jocotoco Conservation Foundation on San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos
Jocotoco Conservation Foundation
Episode: Ep. 586 - Restoring a Galápagos Forest
Mary Ann Perron
Freshwater ecologist, Lieutenant Eero postdoctoral fellow at the St. Lawrence River Institute
St. Lawrence River Institute
Episode: Ep. 585 - Dragonflies Need Plants
Dr. Kenneth Anyomi
Forest ecologist researching disturbance interactions and forest successional dynamics
Institute/affiliation discussed in episode (Canada)
Episode: Ep. 584 - Understanding Forest Disturbance
Robert Warren
Ecologist, Buffalo State University professor
Buffalo State University
Episode: Ep. 583 - Commonness, Rarity, and Invasive Species

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 2.5k ratings
  • Excellent and Interesting Podcast

    I listen to ‘In Defense of Plants Podcast’ on and off. As with any long-running podcast, some are better than others. Yesterday, I listened to one of the best of any genre that I have listened to in a while. That was the interview with Dr. Ana Bedoya, researcher active in the Colombian Andes. The subject was fascinating, Ms. Bedoya presents very will - not too technical, but technical enough. My only complaint at all, and it is minor - Matt and others, please attempt proper (Latin) pronunciation... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EdLewis2
    United States2 months ago
  • Matt should introduce his guests

    The main reason I wrote this review is to address how Matt, the host, handles his introductions. He starts every interview by asking the guest “Tell us who you are and what you do”. Ok fine, that’s a proper way to start an interview, by explaining to the audience who the guest is. What bothers me is that the host isn’t doing the introduction himself. These are scientists and professionals in their field he’s interviewing, people who deserve respect. I’m not saying he is being disrespectful, but ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    RoseJ647
    United States3 months ago
  • Love Matt’s presentation

    Please don’t change your style as in tone of voice, or calm way you question and allow the stream of consciousness. Love the discussions. The guest is always able to present lots of information and then Matt summarizes and guides the discussion with questions to pull out more specifics or to begin to discuss another part of study or research. I didn’t find merch.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mpkfeedback
    United States4 months ago
  • Time Machine

    From Devonian forests to the High Sierras to Florida Everglades this show takes me back through time and forward to new scientific understandings of the green and beautiful world and how cleverly it has developed and survived as a basis of life on earth and as a huge planetary ecosystem full of coolness and colour and hearts delight and calmness. This is where science becomes magical

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chamsqiz
    Australia5 months ago
  • Lack of substance

    I appreciate the host’s deep knowledge but wish he could approach interviews with more of a « beginner’s mind. » Most of the conversation is commiserating, marveling, humble bragging but not on the substance of the research. Rarely do I come away with a better understanding of the subject, sadly.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Valjean2000
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Episodes are praised for accessibility and credible guest expertise.
Some listeners feel the show can be heavy on host storytelling at times.
Listeners commend clear, engaging delivery and deep dives into plant science.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 591 - Justice for Habitats
Q: Why is there a need for remedies in environmental justice beyond fines or imprisonment?
Remedies can directly restore habitats, populations, and ecosystem functions, providing tangible outcomes and educational value that punitive measures alone cannot achieve, especially when large players are involved.
Ep. 580 - Celebrating a Foundational Aquatic Plant
Q: What makes Podostomum serratifilum so hard to study compared to more typical aquatic plants?
Its habitat is fast-flowing, rocky substrates with little soil, making access and replication in experiments difficult; plants are difficult to cultivate in labs, and field conditions vary widely between rivers.
Ep. 580 - Celebrating a Foundational Aquatic Plant
Q: How did you become interested in studying this unusual river plant?
Dr. Wood describes a lifelong love of rivers and plants, a serendipitous invitation from a fish biologist, and a bridging of kayaking with field biology that led to focusing on Podostomum serratifilum.
Ep. 577 - Ginger Flowers & Plant Evolution
Q: Why is the labellum in Costaceae so important to understanding their pollination strategies?
Because the labellum is a key floral structure formed from fused infertile stamens, it acts as the primary display while the true petals are less conspicuous; studying its diversity across species reveals how development and pollinator interactions drive speciation.
Ep. 577 - Ginger Flowers & Plant Evolution
Q: How did you become interested in botany and monocots specifically?
The guest describes an early love of biology and the joy of field experiences; mentorship and a shift from a pharmacology focus to ethnobotany and evolutionary chemistry steered her toward studying plant development and biodiversity, with monocots and the Zingiberales providing a rich system for exploring floral evolution.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About In Defense of Plants Podcast

What is In Defense of Plants Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A science-forward show that explores plants, botany, and ecological interactions through expert interviews and field stories. Episodes often cover plant evolution, conservation, restoration, and the role of plants in climate resilience, with a mix of lab work, field observations, and practical takeaways for gardeners, conservationists, and science enthusiasts. Noteworthy strengths include accessible explanations of complex topics, strong guest credibility from universities and research institutes, and a propensity to connect plant science to real-world applications like habitat restoration and citizen science. The format tends to blend detailed botanical concepts with engaging narratives, making it appealing to listeners who crave depth wit... more

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Which podcasts are similar to In Defense of Plants Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with In Defense of Plants Podcast:

1. Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't
2. Native Plants, Healthy Planet
3. Completely Arbortrary
4. Cultivating Place
5. MARGARET ROACH A WAY TO GARDEN

How many episodes of In Defense of Plants Podcast are there?

In Defense of Plants Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 595 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on In Defense of Plants Podcast?

Recent guests on In Defense of Plants Podcast include:

1. Jacob Phelps
2. Dr. Ariel Lugo
3. John Van Stan
4. Dr. Varina Crisfield
5. Ashley Morris
6. Juan Chávez
7. Mary Ann Perron
8. Dr. Kenneth Anyomi

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