Making Worlds
Steve Backshall reveals the influence that insects and their relatives have on Earth's ecosystems, from ants in South American grasslands to a tiny ocean creature.
Steve Backshall reveals the incredible influence that insects and their close relatives have on Earth's many ecosystems. In the grasslands of South America, the landscape has been created almost solely by one team of insects - grass-cutter ants. Across the world's oceans one tiny creature plays such a key role that, without it, the largest animal on our planet, the blue whale, could not exist. And in East Africa the savannah would quickly be swamped in dung were it not for the activities of a certain beetle. Yet the greatest influence of all comes from a group of insects that have ultimately changed the colour and diversity of our planet.
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Farmer ants
Duration: 02:29
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An incredible relationship
Duration: 02:22
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Waste recyclers
Duration: 01:24
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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Emika
3 Hours
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Stereophonics
Dakota
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Spector
Never Fade Away
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Elbow
Open Arms
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Mumford & Sons
Winter Winds
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00:00Mumford & Sons
The Cave
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00:06Stereophonics
Dakota
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00:07Elbow
Open Arms
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00:26Embrace
Celebrate
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Steve Backshall |
| Series Producer | Doug Mackay-Hope |
| Producer | Anuschka Schofield |
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