Grass, Sedge & Rush Identification for Phase 1 Habitat Survey

Tuesday 29 - Wednesday 30 April 2008

Location: Near Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Participant Standard: Beginner
Tutor(s): Clare O’Reilly MIEEM

Phase 1 Habitat Survey work requires identification of certain plant species as key habitat indicators, especially grasses. This workshop will cover the differences between the 3 families, parts of the grass, sedge and rush flowers and vegetative features helpful for identifying grasses. There will be field work to practise using keys to identify common grasses, sedges and rushes in a range of Phase 1 Survey Habitats. The workshop will particularly focus on indicator species essential for Phase 1 Habitat Survey and on using vegetative characters and keys for grasses. Specially designed for non-botanists and beginners who need to acquire basic plant identification skills for Phase 1 Habitat Survey.

NB: Accommodation is not included.

Location:
Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre, nr Wolsingham and Bishop Auckland, County Durham. OS ref: NZ092313. The venue is difficult to reach by public transport but other participants may be willing to provide lifts. The nearest places to stay (with B&Bs) are Wolsingham and Hamsterley. Please email the tutor if you need accommodation listings. There is a small fee for car parking at the Centre, which is payable to a kiosk on entry to the site. If no one is in the kiosk on arrival, please pay later at the visitor centre.

The aims
of this workshop are for participants:

• to become familiar with several widespread grass, sedge and rush indicator species for Phase 1 habitat survey; and
• to understand the difference between recognition and identification, the importance of using a botanical key and to practice using a key.

The course will particularly focus on indicator species essential for Phase 1 Habitat Survey and on using vegetative characters and keys for grasses.

Who should attend this workshop?
Ecological consultants, conservation professionals, ecology students and volunteers as well as anyone interested in grass, sedge and rush ecology and  identification

Who is the workshop aimed at?
Non-botanists who need to complete Phase 1 Habitat Surveys and those who are new to vegetation survey work.

What to bring:

• Waterproofs and walking boots
• X10 hand lens
• Packed lunch (although there is a café at the Visitor Centre selling hot and cold drinks and snacks)
• If possible, please bring a copy of Grasses: a Guide to their Structure, Identification, Uses and Distributiuon in the British Isles by C.E. Hubbard 3rd edition 1984. Please let the tutor know by email if you are bringing this book with you. Please do not worry if this book seems rather advanced for you – the course is aimed at beginners and you are not expected to have used this book before. It is the only portable, cheap text for identification of British grasses that has keys.
• The team activity session on Wednesday afternoon will form part of a research project being conducted by the tutor in order to complete her teacher training (PGCE) for adult education. The research is investigating the most efficient ways to teach grass identification. This should be of great benefit to the participants to consolidate their learning over the two days, as well as provide valuable data to improve teaching of plant identification. All responses to, and comments on, the activities will be confidential and anonymous. If you do not wish to participate, or have any questions about this element of the workshop, please email the tutor.

What will participants learn from the workshop (learning outcomes)?
At the end of the workshop participants will be able to:

• Define the grass, sedge and rush families.
• Observe the key characters used for grass, sedge & rush identification.
• Observe the key vegetative characters used to identify grasses.
• Use keys to the grass family Poaceae, including vegetative keys.
• Identify several widespread grass, sedge and rush indicator species from a range of Phase 1 habitats.

Programme:

Cost: £120 IEEM members, £240 non-members.

Click here for a downloadable booking form