Introduction to Bryophyte Identification for Habitat Survey
Saturday 24 April 2010
Location: Derrygonnelly Field Centre, Derrygonnelly, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Tutor: Joanne Denyer MIEEM
Level: Beginner
This workshop will introduce participants to bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) and their use as habitat indicators.
There will be an introduction to the features used for bryophyte identification. Participants will then use the new British Bryological Society (BBS) field guide and keys to identify mosses and liverworts, both in the classroom and in the field. The second part of the course will focus on bryophytes that can be used as habitat indicators for Habitat Surveys (Ireland) and Phase 1 Habitat Surveys (UK), which can be especially useful for identifying habitats outside the main higher plant flowering season. We will also visit nearby habitats to try out newly gained skills in the field.
The habitat indicator species will be relevant to Habitat Survey in both Ireland and the UK and the bryophytes encountered will be common to both geographic areas.
IEEM Members: £80/€90 (£70/€80 if booked before 24 February 2010).
Non-members: £160/€185 (£140/€210 if booked before 24 February 2010)
Who should attend this workshop?
Professional ecologists, consultants, naturalists and other ecological surveyors looking to learn how to identify bryophytes and to use them to improve their habitat survey skills.
Anything participants need to know/read before coming on the training event, or need to have with them?
Bring:
- Outdoor clothing and footwear (we may visit a wetland site, so boots are advisable).
- Hand lens (preferably x20 or, if not, x10).
- Notebook and pencil.
- Scrap paper (ideally A4) for making specimen packets.
- Packed lunch (tea & coffee will be provided).
- ‘British Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland: a field guide’ (publication due January 2010) would be useful but is not essential.
- Any other bryophyte identification publications you are familiar with.
A range of identification books and keys will be available for reference.
What will participants learn from the workshop (learning outcomes)?
- The key identification features of mosses and liverworts.
- Become familiar with the main groups of bryophytes and learn some key species.
- How to use a field key to identify species.
- How bryophytes can assist in habitat classification.