This course is run in association with the University of Reading and RSK Carter Ecological Ltd and is a professional and assessed course designed for ecologists and botanists wishing to extend and consolidate their knowledge. It is NOT a plant holiday. Private participants will join a group of MSc students from the University of Reading and will undertake a series of botanical excursions. Participants should be enthused by plants and vegetation and should already have moderate to good botanical skills of UK flora (e.g. knowledge of at least 25% of UK higher plants) but with a desire to improve their knowledge of: plant families; the Lizard rarities and vegetation types; and NVC vegetation assessment.

This Course is led by:

• Dr Richard Carter BSc PhD IEEM. Richard is the Scientific Director of RSK Carter Ecological Ltd.
• Dr Jonathan Mitchley BSc PhD IEEM. Jonathan is a lecturer in plant community ecology at the University of Reading with more than 20 years experience of teaching and research in vegetation ecology in Europe.



Dates: This course runs for seven days from 4th to 10th May 2009.

Objectives:

• To provide training in the recognition of a wide range of plant species and communities (using the NVC) typical of the Lizard grasslands, heathlands and coastlands.
• To experience rapid accumulation of data for vegetation and biodiversity assessment in this unique environment in the UK.
• To provide the opportunity for individual and team work to broaden knowledge and increase transferable skills in plant identification and vegetation ecology.

Provisional programme: You will be joining a group of MSc students from the University of Reading’s long established MSc in Plant Diversity and you will be undertaking the same rigorous progamme of field excursions to investigate the plant species and vegetation of the region. Field excursions are undertaken in a wide range of plant communities including the famous Lizard maritime cliffs (serpentine, schist etc.), and the Lizard heathlands and grasslands. Participants will undertake guided, individual and group quadrat assessments in the different vegetation types and this will be consolidated with additional plant identification sessions and data analysis (including NVC analysis) in the evenings. A handbook containing relevant information on the flora, vegetation and ecology of the Lizard District will be provided to all participants on day 1 of the course.



Expected outcomes:

• The course is of MSc standard and is assessed through a plant identification test in the field towards the end of the trip and participants will receive a certificate of attendance and a graded level of achievement according to University of Reading MSc pass, merit and distinction levels.
• You will be trained in the techniques and application of plant identification and be able to recognise a wide range of species and plant communities of the Lizard district.
• You will gain an understanding of the complex relationships between climate, soils, history and human activity in shaping present-day vegetation patterns.
• You will gain an understanding of the local problems and practices of conservation management for biodiversity.
• You will have experienced living and working in a unique region of the UK and experienced working as an individual and as part of a botanical team.

Schedule: Transport will be by minibus, departing from University of Reading on 10th May 2009 at 10.00 am.

Accommodation: Basic but sound self catering accommodation in 2 or 3 bedroom caravans (mobile homes). It is expected that individual participants share a caravan but each person has their own (basic) bedroom. Individual caravans can be hired by individuals or for groups of up to 3 individuals by arrangement with the organisers.

Deadline for applications: 31st January 2009.

Health and Safety and Insurance: Individuals travel at their own risk and you are advised to take out your own travel insurance and insurance for any personal items of value, e.g. cameras or laptop computers. The field work is intensive and we work long hours and some of the terrain is of moderate difficulty so you need to be reasonable fit and of good health and stamina. You must inform us of any personal medical issues.

Maximum numbers: 6, this is an intensive course and to ensure maximum learning outcomes numbers must be kept low.

For an informal discussion or to book your place for 2009 please contact 01295 672970 or return the booking form to:

Continuing Professional Development Courses,
RSK Carter Ecological Limited,
Edmunds House,
40 The Green,
South Bar,
Banbury,
Oxfordshire,
OX16 9AE.