Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/N00079X/1
Applied Plant Taxonomy, Identification and Field Survey Skills
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Dr G Bramley, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Identification and Naming
- Grant held at:
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Identification and Naming
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Systematics & Taxonomy
- Plant organisms
- Abstract:
- The proposed training initiative from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, uses the expertise of Kew's scientists to provide a unique combination of sessions on the identification of common plant families, field survey and analytical techniques, and the application of these skills together in the field. It will demonstrate the latest appropriate field technologies, and provide a comprehensive introduction to plant taxonomy and nomenclature. Participants will be immersed into Kew's dynamic research environment where the daily use of taxonomic and field skills demonstrates their relevance to careers in the Environmental Sciences sector. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-leading plant-science organisation documenting and conserving the world's plant species and the habitats they occupy, especially those at risk. Kew's collections include 7 million herbarium specimens, representing 98% of the world's genera and 75% of the world's plant species. Its botanists produce over 400 taxonomic papers every year, including the description of 300 new species. Kew has an active fieldwork programme from seed collecting and habitat surveys in the UK, to plant collecting and vegetation surveys in remote tropical regions. These attributes make the institute the best placed to provide training proposed. The training course will specifically target early career UK environmental scientists and NERC PhD students. The ten day course will be divided into two units. Unit 1, 'Plant Taxonomy and Identification Skills' includes a Plant Taxonomy Workshop introducing taxonomic theory and the principles of plant nomenclature; lectures and practicals on 45 key plant families working with plant materials and existing taxonomic and identification resources; field ID sessions and plant collecting practical in Kew's Living Collections; lectures and practicals in Kew's Jodrell Laboratories introducing molecular methods, phytochemistry, palynology and wood identification. Unit 2: 'Vegetation Survey Design and Spatial Analysis' includes lectures and practicals on mapping and navigation using GPS, survey skills, sampling design and species 'red listing'; a field trip to undertake mini-projects (e.g. conservation and population survey) and a demonstration of the latest field technologies for capturing and recording data; presentations of mini projects to the group; the application of international regulations to environmental sampling. The 2015 course will build on the success of a course run at Kew in September 2014 (funded by NERC ATSC initiative: costs for the 2015 course have been reduced due to efficiencies derived from the substantial amount of preparatory work already completed). Participants rated the September course at the highest category (60% return), only slight alterations have been necessary based on their feedback. The combination of topics and staff expertise that we offer is not replicated at any other UK Institute. The content of past courses given by the NHM, for example, complements rather than duplicates our training initiative, focusing on other plant groups such as cryptogams. Key training outcomes will include the ability to identify key plant families and make botanical specimens of high scientific value; correct and efficient use of identification tools; correct interpretation of scientific names and classifications; and practical experience of mapping and navigation using GPS, survey skills, sampling design and the appropriate field tools and technologies. Participants will make useful contacts and meet similarly focused scientists. The successful training of 15 Environmental Sciences PhD students or early career researchers will have a significant impact on the recognised UK Skills shortage in Taxonomy and Systematics, and Fieldwork skills. This skills shortage has been documented in several sources, the most recent being a 2014 publication on the current status of UK Plant Science by the UK Plant Sciences Federation.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/N00079X/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Doctoral Training
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Advanced Training
This training grant award has a total value of £36,735
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Other Costs |
|---|
| £36,735 |
If you need further help, please read the user guide.