- 1 hour ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00Our most vital waters flow like arteries over the land, cleansing, nurturing, delivering life.
00:18These waterways have the ability to overcome mountains, carve canyons, and connect vastly different worlds.
00:34But they are not immune to the influence of others.
00:38They are the pulse to which everything flows.
00:44Our precious rivers.
01:02Take a dive into our planet's mesmerizing world of water.
01:08From the monumental open ocean to the rugged coasts that serve as the dividing line between two worlds.
01:22From the changing rivers that carve through continents.
01:30To mysterious lakes and swamps.
01:36Immerse yourself in the magic that unfolds.
01:40As we reveal the secrets of our enchanted waters.
01:54In Russia's Far East lies Kamchatka Peninsula.
02:08This is a magical place.
02:14Born of fire.
02:18With 300 volcanoes.
02:2129 of which still regularly erupt.
02:24It is one of the most geologically active zones on the planet.
02:32And at the heart of it lie Kamchatka's rivers.
02:38Coursing over lava fields.
02:40Bringing fresh life to the area as they flow.
02:44Pooling into ancient caldera.
02:48Before eventually flowing into the sea of Okhotsk.
02:56How does a place under the constant threat of complete destruction.
03:02Produce such a unique and pountiful habitat.
03:08Perhaps there's something in the water.
03:18Kamchatka's rivers are a lifeline to a population of wild Pacific salmon.
03:26Every year a supersized cohort of these salmon enter the river from the sea.
03:32And head inland on a once in a lifetime mission to reproduce.
03:44They have traveled over 600 miles from the open ocean for this privilege.
03:48Their journey now takes them up river towards their spawning grounds.
03:55Their vibrant red color indicates that they're nearing the end of their story.
04:01They have not eaten since their journey began.
04:05And their bodies are slowly degrading.
04:10As they near their destination they have yet to face their biggest challenge.
04:17Standing in their way are more than 20,000 hungry bears.
04:25The largest population of brown bears on the planet.
04:31And the biggest in size outside of North America.
04:37This mother bear has three cubs to feed.
04:48They're reaching a pivotal stage in their season.
04:52Time to fatten up.
04:54Ready for hibernation.
05:01With the impending arrival of masses of spawning salmon.
05:05She couldn't have picked a better river.
05:08Now she just has to find a good fishing position.
05:14A chance for her little ones to watch and learn.
05:20But why learn when you can play tag?
05:37With so much fun to be had.
05:39Best leave the fishing to mum.
05:45This isn't an ideal place to catch salmon.
05:50There's too much open space allowing the fish to evade capture.
05:58The top spots go to the most experienced adult males.
06:04And she daren't risk the safety of her cubs by venturing too close.
06:17Even here, in this less than perfect location, the river won't let her down.
06:23These waters flow under the shadow of the tinderbox mountains.
06:40Where eruptions happen up to eight times a year.
06:46These volcanoes can both destroy and create life.
06:52Starting with the moment ash hits the water.
07:03Volcanic ash initiates a wave of destruction.
07:06Smothering everything in its path.
07:09At first, all appears lost.
07:16But every ash cloud has a silver lining.
07:22The river's flow dissipates the ash, carrying it far and wide.
07:28In some areas, the ash causes algal blooms to proliferate in the water.
07:34Triggering an explosion of zooplankton that feeds off it.
07:45Which in turn, becomes a bounty of food for young salmon.
07:51Ensuring as many as possible grow and make it out to sea.
07:57To return, often in record numbers.
08:02Now, as those fish make the journey back up the river to where they were born, the bears have one of the world's biggest populations of Pacific salmon within their grasp.
08:17This mum doesn't need the best fishing spot.
08:23There's more than enough to go around.
08:25The fish who make it past the bears go on to spawn.
08:40Fulfilling their destinies.
08:42They have nothing left to give, other than their remains, which continue to add to the richness of the rivers that are the mainstay of this region.
08:57For this bear family, the future looks rosy.
09:01With full bellies all round, mum and her young family have time to relax.
09:12She owes her success to a coalition between a river and its volatile landscape.
09:19Guided by geology, these rivers disperse volcanic nutrients to the very ends of their reach.
09:29Turning the land into a fertile paradise.
09:35And transforming the animal populations that live here into some of the most plentiful on the planet.
09:43A river's ability to flow and distribute is its greatest asset.
10:00Because it delivers something that's as precious to life as the air we breathe.
10:05Of all the water on Earth, just 3% of it is fresh water.
10:18Only a tiny, precious amount of it is drinkable.
10:26That valuable drop is as vital to us as the blood that courses through our bodies.
10:35Rivers are the veins and arteries of our planet.
10:41And much like how blood shuttles oxygen, food and waste around, rivers do the same.
10:50Starting at the source, as water seeps through the grains and fissures of rocks, it collects minerals.
11:06Before distributing them downstream.
11:12Aquatic plants and the Earth's atmosphere ensure the river is sufficiently oxygenated.
11:18Helping to bring life to its farthest reaches.
11:26Nutrients, and waste, are also picked up and deposited.
11:31Feeding and cleansing the land, and itself, as it flows.
11:39The action of these headwaters, rivers, and tributaries create havens.
11:48Where life congregates from far and wide.
11:55But at some point, every river must come to an end.
12:03Some empty out into floodplains.
12:06Others into the ocean.
12:10Carried within their flow is a vital cargo.
12:17So, whether it's an elephant bathing in nutrient-rich mud.
12:23Or a scallop using minerals to form its own protective shell out in the ocean.
12:28Those elements were collected in the mountains.
12:33Thousands of miles away.
12:35And delivered to them by rivers.
12:39From the rapids that flow over mountain rock.
12:45To the river mouths that feed the ocean.
12:48That tiny quota that is our planet's accessible fresh water goes a long way.
12:59Even for ocean dwellers, the lure of fresh water can be too strong to ignore.
13:19So, one creature satisfies that desire with an annual winter getaway.
13:30It's winter along the Florida coast near Miami.
13:44And this female manatee is searching for paradise.
13:49Manatees belong to a group of animals called Cyrenians.
14:00Named after the sirens of Greek mythology.
14:07Legend has it, these nymph-like women lured homesick mariners to their deaths.
14:13With their captivating song.
14:14Some believe that these hallucinating sailors mistook manatees for sirens.
14:31Perhaps the reality doesn't quite match the alluring mirage.
14:36But these creatures are no less beguiling in their own right.
14:44Now, this would-be mermaid needs to find warmth.
14:52Despite this stretch of ocean being the warmest anywhere off mainland US.
14:58It's still too cool for her at this time of year.
15:01If she stays in the ocean, she won't make it through the winter.
15:13She may look like she has plenty of blubber, but her curves are deceptive.
15:15Her shape and size keep her buoyant as she eats.
15:31But there's little excess fat to keep her insulated.
15:36So she heads inland to take refuge in the region's rivers.
15:48Amongst more than 200 miles of watery networks sits Silver Springs.
15:54Even in the depths of winter, it's a balmy 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
16:08Steam comes off it, as if rising from a hot tub.
16:13It's the manatee equivalent of a spa retreat.
16:24And it'll keep her alive during the cold winter months.
16:27More than 25 freshwater springs feed the Silver River.
16:36Discharging around 500 million gallons of geothermally warmed water every day into the manatee bathtub.
16:49Bubbling up from deep underground, the spring is recharged by rainwater
16:53that filters through the area's porous limestone rocks.
17:00It's this intensive filtering process that gives this water its exquisite clarity.
17:10Time to relax and rejuvenate.
17:14Her thick, grey skin is encrusted with barnacles.
17:24Algae, fueled by the Florida sunshine, has also colonized her body.
17:33But waiting teams of fish are only too happy to help her exfoliate.
17:39The pesky barnacles that clung to her in the ocean can't survive in the freshwater.
17:47So they gradually drop off.
17:50The only thing missing here is food.
17:54But she won't need to travel far.
17:57Moving away from the springs, she heads out into the surrounding river.
18:01Where the cooler water allows for freshwater plants to grow in abundance.
18:16In these rivers, inlets and springs, our chilly manatee has found the complete package.
18:23A complete package.
18:24Warmth.
18:26Relaxation.
18:28And a rejuvenating skin treatment.
18:31She'll stay till spring, when the ocean temperature starts to rise.
18:36And she's tempted back to the open seas.
18:39To entice fishermen once again.
18:42Between source and mouth, a river will always attempt to find the path of least resistance.
18:59But sometimes, it's not the land, but a creature that disrupts a river's journey.
19:06With the onset of autumn, this beaver has an infinite list of chores to complete.
19:21Luckily, he has his family on hand to help out.
19:25His instinct drives him to stem the flow of his entire river.
19:31With the help of a set of iron-clad teeth that never stop growing.
19:42Everything they need to build a water-stopping dam is within 60 feet of their lodge.
19:50From aspen, to willow, to cottonwood.
19:55Good quality construction materials, and the ultimate tools to gnaw them down to size.
20:06Branch by branch, this carpenter turned plumber holds back the river.
20:12Forging a deep pond, where he and his family can create a safe haven.
20:19Despite his construction skills, no beaver dam is ever completely watertight.
20:31So his river still finds a way through, albeit at a much slower pace.
20:36Next, his pantry needs to be restocked.
20:49Next, his pantry needs to be restocked.
20:51The more succulent wood is dragged under, its stems pushed into the riverbed to keep it fresh.
21:07While most rodent teeth contain magnesium, a beaver tooth is laced with iron, making them stronger and more resilient.
21:21And because they never stop growing, he has to gnaw to keep them in check.
21:28He is perfectly built for a life as a river disruptor.
21:40Having diminished his nearby supplies, he'll need to travel further afield.
21:46And when you're this cumbersome, it's wise to have a backup plan.
21:59So he maintains a network of watery highways that double as escape routes.
22:06All it takes is a bit of channel digging, and the water flows out of his pond.
22:23Creating a new road map for wherever he needs to travel.
22:30Each one leading him to new resources, and safely back to his lodge again.
22:43By building his own safety network, this family man has not only protected his nearest and dearest, but has unwittingly revitalized the entire ecosystem.
22:57This river no longer follows the path of least resistance.
23:01Thanks to his handiwork, it seeks out new routes.
23:12Swelling over its banks, seeping into the soil, and giving the surrounding vegetation a chance to drink.
23:26The beaver's instinct to gnaw may seem destructive at first.
23:33But their efforts to ensure their own survival have far-reaching benefits for the world around him.
23:42Distributing the river farther, and wider, creating wetlands in its wake, and increasing the diversity of other species, drip by drip.
24:01If rivers are the lifeblood of our landscapes, providing water, shelter, and food for countless species, then the surrounding aquatic ecosystem is only as healthy as the rivers.
24:30A select cast of creatures give out subtle clues to a river's condition.
24:43They are nature's own water monitors.
24:50Their presence, or absence, tells a story.
24:56Plenty of fish species in the water is a sign of a healthy and thriving ecosystem.
25:05But among the first and most telling are the tiny aquatic insects that inhabit rivers and streams.
25:16An abundance of bugs like dragonflies, mayflies, and caddisflies is a clear sign the river is pure, thriving, and full of life.
25:31Having spent up to two years living as nymphs on the riverbed.
25:45These juveniles can only flourish into adults in clean, oxygen-rich waters.
25:52If the river is healthy, thousands of mayflies will emerge from the water, ready to molt, and take to the air on their nuptial flight, for their dazzling last 24 hours of life.
26:11Their entire lives are tied to the rivers.
26:17It's where they hatch, emerge, swarm, mate, lay their own eggs, and eventually die.
26:36And because of this, they are more obviously affected by change.
26:43Thousands of floating mayfly carcasses are a sign that this river has done its job well.
26:51But a sudden drop in numbers next year could serve as a warning that something is wrong.
26:59However, it's not always the fall of a population that carries meaning.
27:06The rise of more resilient creatures could be an ominous sign.
27:14Chironomids, a type of midge, are highly tolerant of pollution.
27:23And their numbers will rise to dominate when a river environment has been negatively affected by humans.
27:32Bioindicators are a natural alarm system that warns us when a habitat is veering off balance.
27:45They are the silent voices of the river, and their presence is a clear reminder.
27:52Protect the river, to secure the future of all life that depends on it.
28:00Protect the river, to secure the river, to secure the river, to secure the river.
28:14Aquatic bugs are at the base of a river's food chain.
28:20But small is by no means helpless.
28:23With the support of an obliging river, they can rule over their own miniature realm.
28:36As the day wanes, and shadows stretch across New Zealand's rivers, a silent predator awakens.
28:44Exquisitely camouflaged, and presiding over the rocky river's edge, sits Dolomides Aquaticus.
28:54The enigmatic water spider.
29:05She's so light, she barely disturbs the river's surface.
29:09But that's not to say, she doesn't make an impression.
29:16She is the queen of this river bank.
29:20And a hunter unlike any other.
29:25While most spiders weave elaborate webs to snare their prey,
29:30this remarkable arachnid has evolved a different approach.
29:35Hunting directly on the water's surface.
29:43No silk.
29:46No nets.
29:48Just raw talent.
29:51And flawless adaptation.
29:54Her legs are covered with thousands of hairs,
29:57creating a water-repellent layer that keeps her buoyant and dry.
30:01She glides seamlessly across the surface.
30:12Anchoring herself to a rock with her back legs,
30:15she takes up her position.
30:18Waiting.
30:20Alert to the river's queues.
30:22With an intricate network of vibration sensors,
30:32she uses its surface like other spiders use a web.
30:37Every ripple and wave carries vital information.
30:41Whether it's a leaf landing,
30:44or an insect floundering.
30:46By analyzing the subtle variations in amplitude and frequency,
30:56she can pinpoint the exact location of her target.
31:04She's in control.
31:05But not everybody respects her rule.
31:06Predators lurk all around.
31:16So even a queen must have an exit strategy.
31:21Hers is an elegant flick of the legs.
31:31Gone in an instant.
31:34Gilded in a silvery layer of air,
31:39she remains under her river's protection,
31:42safe from danger above.
31:43Here, she can wait out the threat for up to 30 minutes,
31:51before resurfacing to reclaim her position atop the water.
31:57The water spider's rule is entwined with the flow of her river.
32:03For as long as her faithful servant continues to serve up the goods,
32:11this finely adapted invertebrate is able to reign supreme.
32:19While a single spider can rule over a miniature queendom,
32:23a larger area requires a collaborative effort.
32:27In the Brazilian Pantanal,
32:37a family of giant otters rest on the banks of the Vermelhu River.
32:49Bound together by a fierce attitude
32:52and the strong desire to work as a team,
32:54at the head of this family are a formidable pair,
33:05a matriarch and her lifelong partner,
33:09who make it their mission to defend their territory.
33:16But they can't do it alone.
33:19As well as their three young pups,
33:21they rely on a tight-knit band of relatives,
33:25who are equally committed to the cause.
33:32Giant otters are known locally as lobostorio,
33:37or river wolves.
33:40And like their canine namesake,
33:43they rule with loyalty, fearlessness,
33:46and, above all, teamwork.
33:47Much like a wolf pack,
33:56communication is key to the smooth running of this otter family.
34:01Mum has a repertoire of 22 distinct vocalizations,
34:07rivaling that of a chimpanzee.
34:09As accomplished divers,
34:13they each live off the fish in their river.
34:19However, by rallying her family together,
34:25and issuing instructions,
34:28they can work as a team to corral fish into the shallows,
34:31making fishing child's play.
34:32But the most important command a notter can make is a call to arms.
34:48A jaguar has strayed too close to their den.
35:02With young pups hiding close by,
35:06it's a serious threat.
35:11The protective mother sounds the alarm.
35:13She needs backup.
35:20In a flash, the other adults assemble.
35:26A jaguar may be the biggest predator on the continent,
35:31but this gang is utterly fearless.
35:34In a show of strength, they close in,
35:44raising the front of their bodies out of the water
35:48to appear more intimidating.
35:54This, combined with a series of loud, threatening snorts,
35:58delivers a clear message.
36:08We will not back down.
36:13It's an impressive display.
36:17And enough to give the jaguar second thoughts
36:21about taking them on.
36:22This is the power of the pack.
36:30Enter this river at your own risk.
36:36The family's superior communication skills
36:40and affinity with their river
36:42give them the defensive edge.
36:44But how did the humble otter become such a menacing force?
36:51Otters haven't always relied on water,
36:55as they do now.
37:01Three million years ago,
37:03a distant relative of the giant otter
37:06mostly hunted on land.
37:08Weighing around 440 pounds and the height of a lion,
37:14they thrived until food shortages likely forced them
37:18to adapt their hunting strategy.
37:21Over millions more years of evolution,
37:24otters gradually got smaller.
37:28And water became their salvation.
37:31And now, together, this family has evolved
37:46to rule over their domain.
37:48Still fierce and fiercely social.
37:51and fiercely social.
38:04Rivers are the givers of life.
38:10But what happens when that lifeline
38:13just disappears?
38:14A mighty river runs through Kenya's Rift Valley.
38:27Despite being fed by the glaciers of Mount Kenya,
38:33this river has never run clear.
38:36Its name, Iwaso Niro, means river of muddy water.
38:42Its turbid, silty riverbed has indelibly colored its character.
38:56More than just a river,
38:58the Iwaso Niro is the perennial lifeblood of the region.
39:03Its waters sustain both animals and humans.
39:07With both traveling from afar to taste its life-giving contents.
39:17Its influence spreads far beyond its boundaries.
39:25A year-round water source allows the riverbanks to flourish.
39:30But recently, the Iwaso Niro has started to run dry.
39:43No longer a permanent fixture,
39:47the river has fallen victim to a changing climate
39:50of delayed rains and higher seasonal temperatures.
40:00Its dwindling flow means its muddy water can no longer flush out its pollutants.
40:07Or carry as much oxygen.
40:09This sudden disappearance of their stalwart has left the river patrons lost and uncertain.
40:26The more resourceful of them know, even though the riverbed is dry,
40:37secret pockets of water lie undisturbed,
40:41stashed away deep in the ground for emergencies.
40:45The elephants may have the ideal tools for the job,
40:51but these backup stores are for all to share.
40:55Eventually, these wells run dry.
41:00And then the entire mood changes.
41:03The area empties.
41:04The knock-on effect is drastic.
41:17Trees die.
41:20Waterholes dry up.
41:22And thirsty mothers are unable to nurse their calves.
41:26At last, a rumble on the horizon signals a reprieve could be coming.
41:52Finally.
41:55Rain.
42:17The Owasso Nero trickles back to life.
42:21Its compromised flow is just enough to draw everyone back in.
42:34And once again provide them with a long overdue drink.
42:38And even furnish the exhausted calves with a bath.
42:45Albeit a shallow one.
42:51In a world that's troubled by a warming climate,
42:54this once mighty river may forever be a shadow of its former self.
43:00No river can ever be taken for granted.
43:15Connections that have lasted thousands of years can be severed.
43:19And that tiny offering that is our planet's accessible fresh water further reduced.
43:35Yet, despite these challenges, rivers have shown themselves to be nothing if not adaptable.
43:41They have moved mountains.
43:48And will do so again.
43:53And will do so again.
43:57What am I doing Beef Again?
44:02horrific voice andSTEP
Be the first to comment