Taxonomic skills and field techniques for freshwater ecology and quality

Learn how to collect and identify freshwater species to inform water quality and ecology 

About this course

This five-day course combines a mixture of lectures, practicals and a one-day field excursion to the New Forest to introduce course delegates to the principles and applications of field technique skills, sample collection, microscopy and taxonomic identification of freshwater species relevant to water ecology and quality.

This course has been running for five years and has a capacity for 15 participants. It is suitable for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, early career biology and environmental science researchers and individuals who work in the environment and ecology sectors. By working closely with Museum scientists, participants will gain expertise to meet the needs and challenges of their current and future careers.

Aims

The five-day course will include a suite of biological groups relevant to freshwater ecology and water quality, covering aquatic invertebrates, microalgae, macrophytes lichen and ciliated protozoa (ciliates).

By the end of the course, participants will:

• know how to use handbooks, keys and online resources for taxonomic identification of a range of freshwater groups
• understand best practices in collecting and preparing freshwater specimens for taxonomic identification
  
• be familiar with the use of microscopes
  
• be aware of preserving different aquatic freshwater groups for voucher specimens and long-term storage.
  
• be familiar with freshwater habitats and appropriate sampling techniques according to habitat characteristics.
  
• be aware of sampling techniques, recording protocols for species lists, community assessment and monitoring approaches.

Course contents

Day 1 - Course introduction followed by lectures on algae and lichen, taxonomic diversity, identification skills and sample collection approaches.

Day 2 - A set of lectures on aquatic invertebrates and ciliated protozoa (ciliates), taxonomic diversity, identification skills, sample collection approaches and permitting for sample collection.

Day 3 - Field excursion to the New Forest for training in field sampling skills, specimen collection and recording protocols for species lists.

Day 4 - Hands-on practical training in microscopy and identification with the option to work on invertebrates, algae, and macrophytes.

Day 5 - Hands-on practical training in microscopy and identification with the option to work on invertebrates, algae, and macrophytes. There will also be a Q&A session with course conveners.