This course is run in association with the University of Reading and RSK Carter Ecological Ltd. The course is a professional and assessed course designed for ecologists and botanists wishing to extend and consolidate their botanical, vegetation and ecological knowledge. It is NOT a plant holiday. The course has been running for many years and has provided an intensive but enjoyable learning experience for generations of botanists from the University of Reading, Kew and private individuals. Participants must be enthused by plants and vegetation and should already have moderate to good botanical skills (e.g. knowledge of at least 25% of UK or European higher plants) but with a desire to improve their knowledge of plant families, genera and the Mediterranean and semi-arid flora.
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: The course runs for two weeks from March-April 2009
Objectives:
To provide training in the recognition of a wide range of Mediterranean and semi-arid plant species and communities.
To experience rapid accumulation of data for vegetation and biodiversity assessment in an unfamiliar setting.
To provide the opportunity for individual and team work to broaden knowledge and increase transferable skills.
Provisional programme: You will be joining a group of MSc students from the University of Readings 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 ranging from semi-arid, through thermo-Mediterranean to oro-Mediterranean. As well as intensive plant ID and vegetation assessment activities, traditional use of plants and modern agricultural practices (e.g. plasticulture) and their impact on the natural environment are also examined. Utilisation of plant resources through agriculture and other means are considered. Attention is also given to conservation issues such as fire, the impact of tourism, overgrazing and rural depopulation. Management procedures such as the development of protected parks are discussed. A handbook containing relevant information on the flora, vegetation and ecology of this region of Spain 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.
You will be able to describe the flora, plant communities and agricultural systems of a Mediterranean region in southern Spain.
You will gain an understanding of the complex relationships between climate, soils, history and prolonged human activity in shaping present-day vegetation patterns.
You will gain an understanding of the local and European problems and practices of conservation management for biodiversity.
You will have experienced living and working in a different European culture, observed the practice of different agricultural and horticultural systems and experienced working as an individual and as part of a botanical team.
Accommodation: We stay in spacious typical self catering holiday apartments in the Village of Las Negras and in full board Hotel accommodation in Granada.
Maximum numbers: This is an intensive course and to ensure maximum learning outcomes numbers must be kept low.
Health and Safety and insurance issues: Costs include travel insurance but individuals travel at their own risk and you are strongly advised to take out your own insurance for any personal items of value. The field work is intensive and will involve long hours. 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.
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.
Banbury Office |