Jumbo-gardeners: How elephants affect weather

The tropical forests of Congo help create downpours many miles away. What’s a key element in this forest flourishing? The elephant.

The tropical rainforests of Africa and Asia play a crucial role in keeping our planet healthy. They moderate our climate, absorb the carbon we produce, and act as a major source of atmospheric moisture – which can fall as rain many miles away.

One of the biggest tropical forests in the world is in Congo. Its huge size and incredible biodiversity is partly thanks to an unlikely ally – the elephant.

In this film, The Nature Conservancy’s lead scientist Dr M Sanjayan, Dr Valerie Kapos of the UN Environment Programme, and tropical field biologist and conservationist Dr Ian Redmond reveal the crucial role that elephants play in keeping these forests strong and resilient, and how elephants are the most important player when it comes to the diversity of tree species in the rainforest. 

Smiths fans discuss the magic of Morrissey and Marr

Broadcaster and Smiths fan Tim Samuels explores the enduring appeal of the Manchester band who exploded onto Britain’s pop scene in the 80s.

To their fans, they are “the most important, intelligent, most idiosyncratically English and most sorely-missed pop band of the 1980s.” To their detractors, they are merely the most miserable.

Presenter Tim Samuels, who grew up in Manchester in the 80s, is of the former persuasion. Thirty years since the release of Hand In Glove and the emergence of the band, Samuels asks why The Smiths were so important to their fans – as writer and DJ Stuart Maconie puts it, the band were “life-changing”.

They created a defined, poetic world, one rooted in the North and influenced by domestic melodrama, northern realism and the British New Wave cinema of the 50s and 60s.

As important as Morrissey’s lyrical style and defined sensibility was the musical genius of Johnny Marr, which went far beyond a mere talent for jangly guitar riffs.

Together, they formed a unique musical partnership which won them a swath of fans, from Manchester all the way across the pond to the United States. As ex-pat American and super-fan Amy Lamé explains, “they created a club of outsiders, and I felt part of that club, even 3,000-odd miles away.”

The beauty of maps

They show us more than the way from A to B – maps are important historical documents and some are stunning works of art

Some of history's most brilliant examples are examined here in incredible detail, revealing the role of the artist, their influences and the impact of their creations on the art world.

The Hereford Mappa Mundi is the largest intact medieval wall map in the world. Having spent most of its long life at Hereford Cathedral, it rarely emerges from behind its glass case. After a year-long restoration project, a rare opportunity has risen to get close to the map and explore its extraordinary detail, giving a unique insight into the medieval mind.

Clarence Seedorf set to take over as AC Milan manager

Clarence Seedorf says he is to become the new AC Milan manager after announcing his retirement from playing.

The 37-year-old, who played for the Serie A giants from 2002 until 2012, will replace Massimiliano Allegri, who was sacked as head coach on Monday after a poor start to the season.

"I am retiring from football after 22 years," said Seedorf. "My aim is to dream again."

Milan are currently 11th in the Italian top flight.

They have won only five of the first 19 games this season, and are 30 points behind leaders Juventus.

Allegri's sacking came after Milan lost 4-3 to minnows Sassuolo on Sunday.

Former Netherlands midfielder Seedorf made more than 400 appearances for Milan, helping them win two Serie A and two Champions League titles.

He was also the first player to win the Champions League with three different clubs - Dutch side Ajax in 1995, Spanish giants Real Madrid in 1998 and Milan, in 2003 and 2007.

He has also played for Inter Milan and Sampdoria and, after leaving Milan, the Dutchman joined Brazilian side Botafogo in 2012 where he finished his playing career.

"This experience at Botafogo has helped me grow a lot and will no doubt help me in my next step as coach of AC Milan," Seedorf added.

"I wish Botafogo and my team-mates the best."

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