Here’s what ‘deep listening’ can tell us about the natural world and our place in it
Tue 04 Mar 11:00: High-Resolution PM2.5 Mapping Across Malaysia Using Multi-Satellite Data and Machine Learning Techniques https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MTQ5N2Q5ZDYtODRmYi00MzJhLTg0ZjctNjc2NGVlZDUzYmUx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b...
Air pollution assessment in urban and rural areas is really challenging due to high spatio-temporal variability of aerosols and pollutants and the uncertainties in measurements and modelling estimates. Nevertheless, accurate determination of the pollution sources and distribution of PM2 .5 concentrations is especially important for source apportionment and mitigation strategies. This study provides estimates of PM2 .5 concentrations across Malaysia in high spatial resolution, based on multi-satellite data and machine learning (ML) models, namely Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Regression (SVR) and extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), also covering remote areas without measurement networks. The study aims to develop ML models that are simpler than previous works and demonstrate computational efficiency. Six sub-models were developed to represent different locations and seasons in Malaysia. Model 1 includes all data from 65 air-quality stations, Models 2 and 3 characterize urban/industrial and suburban sites, respectively, while Models 4 to 6 correspond to dry, wet, and inter-monsoon seasons, respectively. The RF technique exhibited slightly better performance compared to the XGBoost and SVR approaches. More specifically, for model 1, it exhibited a high correlation with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.64 and RMSE of 12.17 μg m−3, while similar results were obtained for models 3, model 4 and model 5. The lower performance (R2 = 0.16-0.94) observed in the wet and inter-monsoon seasons is due to fewer numbers of data used in model calibration. Integration of two Aerosol Optical Depth products from the Advanced Himawari Imager and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensors together with gases pollutants from Sentinel 5P enabled seamless seasonal PM2 .5 mapping over Malaysia, even for a short period of time. However, usage of data with insufficient information during the model training procedure, and lack of satellite data due to cloud contamination, can limit the PM2 .5 prediction accuracy.
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MTQ5N2Q5ZDYtODRmYi00MzJhLTg0ZjctNjc2NGVlZDUzYmUx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2249a50445-bdfa-4b79-ade3-547b4f3986e9%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%228b208bd5-8570-491b-abae-83a85a1ca025%22%7d
- Speaker: Kasturi Kanniah, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA), Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
- Tuesday 04 March 2025, 11:00-12:00
- Venue: Chemistry Dept, Unilever Lecture Theatre and Zoom.
- Series: Centre for Atmospheric Science seminars, Chemistry Dept.; organiser: Dr Megan Brown.
Tue 04 Feb 11:00: Could stratospheric aerosol injection produce meaningful global cooling without novel aircraft? https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZjVmYTU2YmItNmMyZC00NGYzLTllZmMtNGU5OWJiMjlhNDAy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22...
Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) is a proposed method of cooling the planet and reducing the impacts of climate change by adding a layer of small particles to the high atmosphere where they would reflect a fraction of incoming sunlight. While it is likely that SAI could reduce global temperature, it has many serious risks and would not perfectly offset climate change. For SAI to be effective, injection would need to take place in the stratosphere. The height of the transition to the stratosphere decreases with latitude, from around 17km near the equator to 8km near the poles. The required injection height would therefore also decrease for higher latitude injection. In this talk, I will present simulations of SAI in an earth system model, UKESM , which quantify how impacts would vary with the injection location and timing, focusing on low-altitude high-latitude injection strategies. Our results suggest that SAI could meaningfully cool the planet even if limited to using existing large jets and injecting at around 13km altitude, if this injection is in the high latitudes during spring and summer. However, relative to a more optimal deployment with novel aircraft at 20km, this strategy requires three times more sulphur dioxide injection and so would strongly increase some side-effects.
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZjVmYTU2YmItNmMyZC00NGYzLTllZmMtNGU5OWJiMjlhNDAy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2249a50445-bdfa-4b79-ade3-547b4f3986e9%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%228b208bd5-8570-491b-abae-83a85a1ca025%22%7d
- Speaker: Alistair Duffey, PhD Student at University College London, Earth Sciences
- Tuesday 04 February 2025, 11:00-12:00
- Venue: Chemistry Dept, Unilever Lecture Theatre and Teams.
- Series: Centre for Atmospheric Science seminars, Chemistry Dept.; organiser: Yao Ge.
Mon 10 Mar 13:00: Ice Shelves: Antarctica’s Gatekeepers
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Becky Dell (Geography)
- Monday 10 March 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: MR3, CMS.
- Series: Quantitative Climate and Environmental Science Seminars; organiser: Dr Kasia Warburton.
Thu 20 Mar 19:00: Natural Materials for Musical Instruments Please note the start time, being after the AGM, is approximate.
Immediately following the CNHS AGM , Jim Woodhouse will give a Presidential Address on the various uses of natural materials in the making of traditional musical instruments.
The talk will focus mostly on wood: why instrument makers prefer certain particular types of wood, what it is in the cellular structure that makes these timbers special, and what scope there may be to use alternative materials in the light of climate pressure and CITES restrictions.
Please note the start time, being after the AGM, is approximate.
- Speaker: Jim Woodhouse, CNHS President; Emeritus Professor of Structural Dynamics
- Thursday 20 March 2025, 19:00-20:30
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: president.
Thu 20 Mar 19:00: Natural Materials for Musical Instruments Please note the start time, being after the AGM, is approximate.
Immediately following the CNHS AGM , Jim Woodhouse will give a Presidential Address on the various uses of natural materials in the making of traditional musical instruments.
The talk will focus mostly on wood: why instrument makers prefer certain particular types of wood, what it is in the cellular structure that makes these timbers special, and what scope there may be to use alternative materials in the light of climate pressure and CITES restrictions.
Please note the start time, being after the AGM, is approximate.
- Speaker: Jim Woodhouse, CNHS President; Emeritus Professor of Structural Dynamics
- Thursday 20 March 2025, 19:00-20:30
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: president.
Thu 20 Mar 19:00: Natural Materials for Musical Instruments Please note the start time, being after the AGM, is approximate.
Immediately following the CNHS AGM , Jim Woodhouse will give a Presidential Address on the various uses of natural materials in the making of traditional musical instruments.
The talk will focus mostly on wood: why instrument makers prefer certain particular types of wood, what it is in the cellular structure that makes these timbers special, and what scope there may be to use alternative materials in the light of climate pressure and CITES restrictions.
Please note the start time, being after the AGM, is approximate.
- Speaker: Jim Woodhouse, CNHS President; Emeritus Professor of Structural Dynamics
- Thursday 20 March 2025, 19:00-20:30
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: president.
Thu 13 Mar 18:45: The Cambridgeshire Bird Club - 1925 to 2025: a century of bird watching
The people, the places and the birds, losers and winners – a century of the most remarkable changes.
- Speaker: Bob Jarman
- Thursday 13 March 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 13 Mar 18:45: The Cambridgeshire Bird Club - 1925 to 2025: a century of bird watching
The people, the places and the birds, losers and winners – a century of the most remarkable changes.
- Speaker: Bob Jarman
- Thursday 13 March 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 13 Mar 18:45: The Cambridgeshire Bird Club - 1925 to 2025: a century of bird watching
The people, the places and the birds, losers and winners – a century of the most remarkable changes.
- Speaker: Bob Jarman
- Thursday 13 March 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 27 Feb 18:45: CNHS Field Studies 2024
This talk will summarise the various CNHS fieldwork projects during 2024.
Jonathan will talk about plants and fungi, Duncan about moth-trapping.
- Speaker: Duncan Mackay and Jonathan Shanklin
- Thursday 27 February 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 27 Feb 18:45: CNHS Field Studies 2024
This talk will summarise the various CNHS fieldwork projects during 2024.
Jonathan will talk about plants and fungi, Duncan about moth-trapping.
- Speaker: Duncan Mackay and Jonathan Shanklin
- Thursday 27 February 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 27 Feb 18:45: CNHS Field Studies 2024
This talk will summarise the various CNHS fieldwork projects during 2024.
Jonathan will talk about plants and fungi, Duncan about moth-trapping.
- Speaker: Duncan Mackay and Jonathan Shanklin
- Thursday 27 February 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 20 Feb 18:45: Great Fen: progress on the peat
Find out the latest from the Great Fen.
With so much going on at the Fen since the purchase of Speechly’s Farm, it’s never too soon for an update.
With the usual sights and sounds from the Great Fen, including trail camera and drone videos.
- Speaker: Henry Stanier, Monitoring & Research Officer at the BCN Wildlife Trust
- Thursday 20 February 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 20 Feb 18:45: Great Fen: progress on the peat
Find out the latest from the Great Fen.
With so much going on at the Fen since the purchase of Speechly’s Farm, it’s never too soon for an update.
With the usual sights and sounds from the Great Fen, including trail camera and drone videos.
- Speaker: Henry Stanier, Monitoring & Research Officer at the BCN Wildlife Trust
- Thursday 20 February 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 20 Feb 18:45: Great Fen: progress on the peat
Find out the latest from the Great Fen.
With so much going on at the Fen since the purchase of Speechly’s Farm, it’s never too soon for an update.
With the usual sights and sounds from the Great Fen, including trail camera and drone videos.
- Speaker: Henry Stanier, Monitoring & Research Officer at the BCN Wildlife Trust
- Thursday 20 February 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 06 Feb 18:45: Alice Hibbert-Ware: Nature Study and the Little Owl Food Enquiry (1936-7)
This talk will explore the life of Alice Hibbert-Ware, a little-known naturalist with a Cambridge connection.
Hibbert-Ware was a teacher and promoter of school nature study in the early twentieth century, and also undertook a survey of the Little Owl’s eating habits in the 1930s, which contributed to the bird’s protection at a time when landowners blamed them for attacking game bird chicks. The enquiry was a fascinating early case of “citizen science”, with volunteers recruited via a public call in the press, including BBC Radio and the ZSL ’s Zoo magazine.
- Speaker: Max Long
- Thursday 06 February 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 06 Feb 18:45: Alice Hibbert-Ware: Nature Study and the Little Owl Food Enquiry (1936-7)
This talk will explore the life of Alice Hibbert-Ware, a little-known naturalist with a Cambridge connection.
Hibbert-Ware was a teacher and promoter of school nature study in the early twentieth century, and also undertook a survey of the Little Owl’s eating habits in the 1930s, which contributed to the bird’s protection at a time when landowners blamed them for attacking game bird chicks. The enquiry was a fascinating early case of “citizen science”, with volunteers recruited via a public call in the press, including BBC Radio and the ZSL ’s Zoo magazine.
- Speaker: Max Long
- Thursday 06 February 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 06 Feb 18:45: Alice Hibbert-Ware: Nature Study and the Little Owl Food Enquiry (1936-7)
This talk will explore the life of Alice Hibbert-Ware, a little-known naturalist with a Cambridge connection.
Hibbert-Ware was a teacher and promoter of school nature study in the early twentieth century, and also undertook a survey of the Little Owl’s eating habits in the 1930s, which contributed to the bird’s protection at a time when landowners blamed them for attacking game bird chicks. The enquiry was a fascinating early case of “citizen science”, with volunteers recruited via a public call in the press, including BBC Radio and the ZSL ’s Zoo magazine.
- Speaker: Max Long
- Thursday 06 February 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.
Thu 13 Feb 18:45: Squirrels of the British Isles: Red, Grey, and Black!
This talk will look at the current squirrel population of the UK from the ancient, native red squirrel to the relatively recent introductions of the American grey squirrel.
We will look at the changing ranges of these two species over time. We will look at what has been done so far, and what could be done in the future to protect the red squirrel. We will also look at the genetics of squirrel colouration, looking at the fascinating origin of the black genetic variant of the grey squirrel.
- Speaker: Helen McRobie, Anglia Ruskin University
- Thursday 13 February 2025, 18:45-20:00
- Venue: Main Seminar Room (First Floor) David Attenborough Building, University of Cambridge Pembroke St, Cambridge CB2 3QZ.
- Series: Cambridge Natural History Society; organiser: events.