Dr Abigail Lowe, Biological Sciences : Botanical and Invertebrate Researcher at the National Botanic Garden of Wales Gardens are important habitats for pollinators, providing flowering resources and nest sites. There is a great deal of public support for growing “pollinator-friendly” plants but, although there are lists of plants that are best for pollinators, they are… Read more »
Case Studies: conservation
Population genetics of an endangered bird of prey: the Red Kite (The Student Perspective)
After graduating from Aberystwyth University with a BSc degree in Equine Science it was a challenging project which confronted me when I commenced my studies last October. Also, coming from a very different background – a) being Latvian b) having my first education in Economics and c) the only animal I was at all familiar with being the horse – dealing with Red Kites and molecular genetics involved a lot of learning before commencing the research. However, by reading a tremendous amount of literature and ‘extracting the knowledge’ of my daily academic supervisors Dr Rob McMahon and Dr Matt Hegarty, as well as meeting up with Professor Mike Hayward and Tony from the Welsh Kite Trust, step by step I soon realised my mission.
Read more »Population genetics of an endangered bird of prey: the Red Kite (Presentation)
Student: Ilze Skujina Company: Ecology Matters Academic Supervisor: Dr Matthew Hegarty & Dr Robert McMahon Red Kites (Milvus milvus) are medium sized birds of prey (raptors) which alongside buzzards, ospreys, eagles and hawks have been traditionally considered members of the Accipitridae family. Raptors are highly specialised avian species adapted for a predatory lifestyle, and thus… Read more »
CORS – Carbon storage in Organic Soils (The Business Perspective)
The Authority has developed a Research Prospectus in order to help it answer some crucial questions about the Park’s changing environment and the resilience of the communities living here, and this research contributes directly to that knowledge base. The eventual publication of peer-reviewed papers for this research will help to raise the Authority’s and the Park’s profile within the field of applied ecological research. This was the first time that this Authority entered a KESS studentship with a university.
Swansea University continues to maintain a regular and helpful research presence within the National Park. The CORS project evolved from discussions on how best to achieve added value research on raised bogs whilst avoiding the sort of disturbance that can be caused by ad hoc research.
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