MSc Wildlife Management and Conservation - Modules

Invertebrate Survey and Assessment

Many consultants require people with breadth so that they can be deployed to do whatever is required at the time. Although there are fewer legislative restrictions associated with invertebrates, they can be a very useful means of assessing the general biodiversity level of a site. This module will be run intensively over the first few weeks of the Autumn term to catch the warmer weather of late autumn before winter begins to set in. The various methods available to survey land and freshwater invertebrates will be explored. As well as collecting invertebrates from the field, a lot of time will be devoted to laboratory work learning how to use identification keys and applying the data to generate biodiversity and biotic indices. After completing the module students should be able to identify invertebrates, mostly insects, down to order with ease and frequently down to family. The skills developed will be assessed through spots tests and the production of a consultancy style report on a field derived collection of insects.

Autumn Term, 10 credit Module (Dr A. Callaghan and Dr G.J. Holloway)