Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/M006425/1
Biodiversity and ecosystem service assessment in the coastal margin (BESA)
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor D Paterson, University of St Andrews, Biology
- Grant held at:
- University of St Andrews, Biology
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Earth
- Freshwater
- Marine
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Marine
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Earth & environmental
- Biodiversity
- Climate change
- Soil science
- Soil ecosystems
- Conservation Ecology
- Environmental valuations
- Environmental economics
- Ecosystem Scale Processes
- Abstract:
- Coastal habitats, including saltmarsh and mudflats, provide some of the most productive natural ecosystems on Earth. However, they are also at most immediate threat from climate change and sea-level rise. Research in these coastal areas is crucial, but can be particularly difficult due to remoteness, extreme conditions and risk factors such as tides and quicksand. Also, equipment must be specially designed for field deployment, often in poor weather. The technology and skills needed for this work are becoming increasingly rare as universities reduce the amount of fieldwork they provide to their students. Small focused courses that provide advanced fieldwork skills can help address this need. A group of highly experienced UK experts in coastal ecology, funded under the government 'Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service Sustainability' (BESS) Programme, have been working together on the mudflats and saltmarshes of Morecambe Bay for two years. This skilled team will share their technology and experience to provide state-of the-art training in fieldwork to graduate researchers and early career professionals to: - Introduce them to the planning and execution of successful field sampling campaigns; - Show them how to safely work in saltmarsh and mudflat environments; - Familiarise them with the equipment needed to sample in these environments (this will range from very basic techniques to learning how to control an unmanned aerial vehicles); - Teach them how to analyse and interpret the data they collect; - Present them with an overview of how to predict system changes (mathematical modelling); - Show how to use this data to support the management of these important habitats; - Demonstrate how social and economic factors can also influence these habitats; - Show how them where to gain further expert guidance and information in order to develop their skills; - Provide a solid foundation for future research and work with relevant NGOs, consultancies and governmental units. The skills included in the course are varied and range across experimental planning, field measurement, teamwork, organisational abilities and appreciation of the broader local and national concerns about habitat management. The course will be supplemented by internet resources, interactive learning and background reading. The use of the data for coastal conservation and management will be explored during special lectures from local CBESS partners, and will also improve communications and the sharing of knowledge between the research, management and policy sectors. Student and staff feedback from a similar pilot course carried out in February 2014 was excellent. This course will expand on the pilot and include significantly more field work, a start-to-finish approach for each methodology, daily feedback sessions, and an introduction to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and socio-economic methodology.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/M006425/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Doctoral Training
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Advanced Training
This training grant award has a total value of £31,900
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Other Costs |
|---|
| £31,900 |
If you need further help, please read the user guide.