Freshwater & Terrestrial Ecology
When: 8th - 15th June 2012
Where: Malham, near Settle, North Yorkshire
Course Leaders: John Baird and Cath Dennis
Website: www.abdn.ac.uk/malham
Malham Tarn Field Centre is set amongst limestone grassland, looking south over 153 ha calcareous Tarn (lake) in the West Yorkshire Pennines, with the long distance Pennine Way footpath passing the door. Much of the area that we use is a National Nature Reserve which includes limestone 'pavement' and crags, the Tarn itself, marshes, bogs, streams and a range of woodland. We use the Field Centre accommodation and laboratories, as well as visiting Malham village for social events, after each day's work is done.
The course aims to provide training in a wide range of ecological techniques, and experience of catching and handling animals in all the nearby habitats, and so we include everything from insects to mammals.
After an initial orientation period, students then split into small groups to carry out complete ecological projects of their own devising (with our help and advice), to see these through from question setting, planning, data collection, computer-aided analysis, and finally to present their results in a research seminar.
The course is designed to teach you how to carry out effective research projects in ecology, an ability that becomes vital in your honours year. It will also introduce you to the natural history of a diverse range of animals.
Finally we take the opportunity to show you the range of spectacular geomorphological and archeological features of the area and to discuss the way that human activity has shaped the habitats and landforms in the Pennines.
Transport will be available for those who need it to and from Malham. Our maximum is 25 students.
Student contribution: tbc
Take a look at some photos from previous Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology field courses website.
page content last modified: 10th May 2012 15:50:01