23 Jul Supporting professional development: Botanical training in coastal plant communities
In June, ecologists from BSG Ecology’s Newport and Oxford offices travelled to Crymlyn Burrows SSSI, Neath Port Talbot, for two days of bespoke botanical training. The focus was on coastal plant communities and the training was led by specialist botanist Sharon Pilkington. Crymlyn Burrows is owned and managed by Swansea University and the team were joined by Swansea University’s Biodiversity Officer, Ben Sampson and a biosciences student with a particular interest in botanical survey.
During the first day of training Sharon led an outdoor practical session focusing on habitat classification and plant identification. This covered the application of Phase 1, UKHAB and National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey methods and criteria. Participants had the opportunity to study saltmarsh, grey and yellow dune communities and to focus on plants of the upper shore (such as sea sandwort), Cladonia lichen communities and local scarcities (such as dune fescue) that are characteristic of the shore and adjacent terrestrial habitats respectively. Invasive non-native and casual species were also a feature of the habitats, and included Japanese rose, sea buckthorn and even a cultivated asparagus plant.
On the second day Ben Sampson provided insight into how the site, which is adjacent to Swansea University’s Bay Campus, is managed to maintain its botanical diversity. Sharon then led an indoor session on the use of various keys to identify difficult species using material collected on site. This allowed some respite from the heat and gave us the opportunity to check the accuracy of our determinations, gaining confidence when we were correct and getting some direction when an incorrect outcome was reached.
The training had two purposes. Firstly, it formed part of a structured long-term plan to upskill all of our ecologists in both botanical survey and associated analytical techniques. Secondly, and as importantly, it allowed all present the opportunity to take some time out of the busy survey season to do some enjoyable training in a team environment.
Senior Ecologist Dan Watson said; “Sharon’s encyclopaedic knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for botany made for an educational and enjoyable day. It was invaluable in terms of developing confidence to have an expert like Sharon on-hand to confirm or correct identification and pass on tips. The classification session was particularly helpful – applying Phase 1 and NVC methods has given me experience and insight that will prove very valuable on current and future projects”
Ben Sampson, Swansea University Biodiversity Officer commented; ‘Sharon Pilkington’s excellent course covered the range of habitats at Crymlyn, from the strandline through the mobile dunes and fixed grey dunes to the upper saltmarsh behind them. Although I thought I knew the site well, my eyes were well and truly opened to the range of sedges, rushes and allies along the fringing habitats of the saltmarsh in this thoroughly enjoyable session.’
