Reprinted here courtesy of the Emirates Natural History Group.
Another story of our former member Khutooma from his studies in UK, before he left to USA (wherefrom we surely receive the next stories)
I moved after finishing my MSc degree in Preston city (Lancashire) to Bradford city (Yorkshire) to stay with my relative who is studying in their university. From my interest in natural histories groups, I decided to search the internet for a natural history society in Bradford. The easiest one to reach without need to travel by train or car was the Bradford Botany Group. It holds its meeting in the Richmond Building, Bradford University.
|
|
| As a brief introduction, Bradford Botany Group was formed in 1983, and includes members who are interested in botany, natural conservation and other related fields. Their meeting is held at 7:14 pm, the lecture which I attended was in 14 January 2009, the speaker was Barry Wright (Yorkshire Fern Group), who presents us some information about his PhD research, the lecture has a title “Ancient Woodland Indicators in Hedgerows and Woodlands” which include surveying about these indicators species. Brian Byrne from the Bradford Botany group introduces the lecturer to us. |
| Woodland species is a term used in the UK which indicates plant species of trees and shrubs which was growing through generations in the same location since 1600 or before. Barry distributed to us a lists of Ancient Woodland Indicator Species, and a regional list of their growth areas (South West, Dorset, Somerset, South, South East, Lincs, Worcs, Derbs, NE Yorks, Northumb, Carmarthen, and Angus). Some of the species are Acer campestre, Blechnum spicant, Carex digitata and Elymus caninus. Barry advice in surveying is to record each plant in your walk, to avoid losing vital data about the species which are present in a certain area. It is good also to have friend with you during the surveying process for support. |
|
He used GPS in his work to produce more details maps and to reduce the time, and to extract as much information as possible in surveying plant species.
A useful web site for using geographical information system with ancient woodlands other important environment information in the UK can be found in MAGIC project (http://www.magic.gov.uk/) which brings environmental schemes and designations in one place. It has interactive maps.
This is my last natural history lecture to attend before I departure the UK in the 27th Jan, 2009. These meetings are useful educationally and socially which need not to be missed if they are present in the place which you are visiting. |
.jpg)
