Identifying Lichens – MMU

What will be covered during this course?

The course will be delivered through a combination of seminars, laboratory identification sessions and practical field work. Field work will involve visiting a range of habitats where the specimens can be identified within their ecological context.

• Defining the lichens – how their life cycle and ecology differs from other groups, with a brief introduction to their structure and function.
• Identification, description, ecology and distribution of a range of lichens.
• Particular emphasis on ecologically important groups, including those which may be bio-indicators.
• How to use a lens in the field to look for characteristic structures.
  Climatological, geological and, other factors which affect lichen distribution.

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

• Identify and justify the identification using characteristic structures of a selection of common lichen species, using a range of identification resources.
• Evaluate the role that lichens play as ecological indicators and their resulting uses in assessing air and habitat quality.

Who Should Attend? –  Natural history enthusiasts, students, rangers, ecologists, and environmental professionals. This beginner to early intermediate level course is open to anyone with some background knowledge of the subject. This course is for those aged 18 and over only.

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

There are two booking options which all include course tuition, meals and refreshments:

• Non-Resident (Breakfast not included)
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)

For course bookings including accommodation please note that bathroom facilities may be shared.

Accreditation

This is one of a series of courses (units) run jointly with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) contributing to the MSc ‘Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring’ and the ‘Postgraduate Certificate in Biological Recording’. MMU students complete assessed work after the course. For further details about Manchester Metropolitan University degree programmes please contact:

Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, (Shrewsbury Office). Email: [email protected]

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions

Assessment

For Manchester Metropolitan University students, the Unit will be assessed through, for example, identification tests, survey reports, field journals, production of keys, essays or other forms of assessment. In course tests are optional and less formal for participants who are not MMU students.

MMU students will be required to complete a portfolio comprising of two parts:

Part 1: A test, OR annotated notebook with a range of specimens. Points will likely be awarded for correct identification, critical comparison between specimens and comparisons between superficially similar/related species (Equivalent to 1000 words).

Part 2: A literature review style essay on the importance of lichens as biological indicators, including their use to indicate air quality, pollutants etc. You should also discuss the problems of identification, and issues this can cause (1000 words).

This course runs Friday – Monday.
Please arrive in time for the evening meal at 6.30pm.
The course starts after dinner with a classroom session 7.30pm - 9.00pm.
The course ends at 4.00pm on the final day.
Time will be made available for eating packed lunches during the day.
If you have booked accommodation with the centre your bedroom will be ready from 3.00pm onwards on the day of arrival and we ask that you vacate by 9.30am on the morning of departure.

This timetable is subject to change but should give an outline of what to expect.

Friday evening: 
Arrive in time for evening meal at 6:30pm
Evening session after dinner including group introductions and outline of the weekend activities.

Saturday: 
Morning 
Presentation providing an introduction to lichens – biology, chemistry, ecology & bio-indication.
Introduction to lichen identification & recording.
Demonstrations of equipment – hand lens, microscope & ID Guides.
Concept of herbaria and reference collections.
Thallus types/structure – crustose, foliose, fruticose & leprose etc.
Key features – reproduction, attachment & colour etc.
Introduction to chemical testing and safe application.
Field trip looking at lichens around the Blencathra Centre.

Afternoon 
Field trip to Eycott Hill Nature Reserve to consolidate morning learning.

Evening 
Introduction to chemical testing.
Personal time to reflect, consolidate and work through specimens, with tutor available to help & answer questions.

Sunday: 
Morning & Afternoon 
Short time spent in the classroom working through specimens.
Field trip to Aira Force woodland (morning and afternoon).

Evening 
Dissecting lichens, using compound microscopes, and studying the internal features of lichens.

Monday:
Morning & afternoon 
Field trip to the Ash pollards at Seathwaite (Borrowdale).
Head back to the classroom to close the session and answer any questions. We will explore where to go with lichens after the course and how to continue learning, especially how the British Lichen Society can support you.

• 
  Expert Tuition
• 
  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  Hot and Cold Drinks
• 
  In Course Transport
• 
  Picnic Lunch

What’s included?

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the subject
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which we are renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• All meals provided

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

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 make any necessary adjustments.

What to bring

•  X10 Magnification Lens.
• You own ID books, hand lens & field notebook will be useful.
• Warm clothing is essential.
• Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers (can be borrowed from the Centre).
• Outdoor footwear (walking boots and wellies can be borrowed from the Centre).
• Day rucksack, warm hat and gloves
• A torch, water bottle, thermos flask and lunch box.

Recommended Reading

Please note these are not essential, but just a suggestion for you.
Lichens: an Illustrated Guide to the British and Irish Species (7th edition) by Frank Dobson (2018).
Lichens on twigs guide
Urban lichens 2 guide
Urban lichens 1 guide
Churchyard lichens guide
Rocky shore lichens guide
Lichens of heaths and moors guide