Botanical Skills for Ecologists

UKHab and NVC classifications require ecologists to be able to differentiate between many habitats which are often very similar. To correctly assign a habitat classification requires the ability to identify key indicator species. In this course, you will learn basic botanical skills that will allow you to use distinguishing characteristics and keys to identify a broad range of species. You should leave the course with the confidence to independently develop your botanical skills in the field.

By the end of the course, you will be able to: 

• Identify the key characteristics of wildflowers and grasses that allow you to differentiate between species.
• Recognise 10 commonly encountered wildflower families and know how to use keys to identify individual wildflower species.
• Identify 5-10 common grasses that are indicators of habitat type.

Who Should Attend? – Nature enthusiasts, students, rangers, early career consultants and ecologists.

Knowledge Level – Beginner. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors.

Prior Knowledge – No existing knowledge or experience is needed for this course, just a willingness to explore and learn. Some existing knowledge of botany would be useful, but not essential.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no accommodation, or meal facilities provided with this course. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be available. If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached. 

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

This course is delivered by more than one expert tutor. Your tutor will depend on the location of the course you book.

Ambroise Baker

Ambroise is a keen field botanist and a plant ecologist by training. His first love was horticultural botany with a passion for succulent plants throughout teenage years. This led him to discover field botany during a stay in South Africa in his early 20s and has never looked back. Since then, he has been developing and applying his plant identification skills during his studies, research, and professional life. He has been lucky to survey grassland, heathland and woodland in various corners of Europe and the UK, as well as extensive field work in freshwaters, mostly ponds and lakes. Ambroise has a particular soft spot for urban floras, open mosaic habitats, and taxonomic groups such as grasses, Brassicaceae, bryophytes, charophytes and aquatic plant. When he can’t indulge in field botany, he enjoys family life, allotmenteering and his job as a university lecturer.

Ian Powell

After a few years of research work in coastal marine ecology, Ian Powell worked as an ecology tutor with the Field Studies Council at Slapton Ley (with lots of marine courses) and on overseas courses to South America. He has since taught undergraduate and master’s degrees in ecology and conservation biology at Edge Hill University, which has included running marine field courses at Millport. Ian also carries out regular botanical and butterfly surveys in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

John Handley

John is the Director of CH Ecology, an independent ecologist and consultant, providing surveys and training on behalf of conservation agencies and Local Authorities. John has a background within amenity horticulture as a Technical Manager, providing advice and training to Local Authorities, prominent sports facilities and private land owners. John is an enthusiastic communicator and botanist.

Henry Miller

I am a botanist working at Kew Gardens on projects relating to the conservation of tropical plants in Uganda as well as producing extinction risk assessments for Ethiopian species. Outside of work I am involved in the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland and the London Natural History Society, I volunteer with these organisations to record and identify a wide range of plants.

Timings of this course vary between locations, so please carefully check the times on the course run (the section where you can add the course to your basket towards the bottom of this page).

There will be a lunch break during the day, the length of the break will vary depending on course location. Lunch is not included so please bring your own food. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be provided.

• 
  Expert Tuition

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you build your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the species.
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge.
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned.
• Clear objectives and progression.
• Refreshments (tea/coffee).

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

What to Bring

• Notebook and pencil
• Lunch and refreshments (tea/coffee will be available)
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors
• Small bag to carry personal items
• A x10 Hand lens
• Any identification guides you prefer to use (e.g. Rose or Streeter)

Recommended Field Studies Council Publications

• Flowers of walks and waysides
• Grasses guide
• Phase 1 survey guide: Grassland and marsh
• Playing field plants guide
• Grassland plants 1 guide
• Describing flowers

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.