Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/N018583/1
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:
- Museum collections
- Phylogenetics
- Systematics & Taxonomy
- Forest inventory
- GIS
- Global positioning systems
- Infrared remote sensing
- Vegetation monitoring
- Survey & Monitoring
- Abstract:
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is offering the training initiative, 'Applied Plant Taxonomy, Identification and Field Survey Skills', a ten day course. It 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 45 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 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 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has run an 'Applied Plant Taxonomy, Identification and Field Survey Skills' course three times, each funded by NERC (PPD 2013/14, ATSC 2014/15 and 2015/16 calls). We are applying to renew funding to run the course in 2016-17. The combination of topics and staff expertise we offer is not replicated at any other UK Institute and is clearly in demand. The recent 2015 course received 24 applications for 15 places and nine enquiries after the deadline. Feedback gathered from participants on the 2015 course rated it in the highest category available; responses to a survey of Course Alumni showed recognition of the impact of the skills gained on the course which in some cases helped to secure jobs in the Environmental Sector. 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/N018583/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Doctoral Training
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Advanced Training
This training grant award has a total value of £32,955
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Other Costs |
|---|
| £32,955 |
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