Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/P018904/1
Applied Plant Taxonomy, Identification and Field Survey Skills course
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
- Survey & Monitoring
- Abstract:
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has run an 'Applied Plant Taxonomy, Identification and Field Survey Skills' course four times in the past three years, funded by the PPD 2013/14, ATSC 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17 calls. We are applying to renew funding to run the course in 2017-18 and 2018-19.This ten day training initiative 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. 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. Key training outcomes 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 training initiative 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 40 key plant families working with plant materials and existing taxonomic and identification resources; field ID sessions in Kew's Living Collections; lectures 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 the application of international regulations to environmental sampling;; a field trip to carry out a vegetation survey in small groups, the results to be analysed and presented to the whole group on the final day of the course. The combination of topics and staff expertise we offer is not replicated at any other UK Institute and is clearly in demand. The recent 2016 course received 38 applications for 15 places and we continued to receive enquiries after the application deadline had passed. Fourteen of the 15 participants on the 2016 course rated it at the highest category, one at the second highest. Responses to a survey of Course Alumni showed that they recognise the positive impact of the skills they gained and regularly put them into practise. 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/P018904/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Doctoral Training
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Advanced Training
This training grant award has a total value of £64,738
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Other Costs |
|---|
| £64,738 |
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