NVC: Winter Habitat Survey – Understanding and Describing Plant Communities

This intermediate course is designed to enable both professionals and amateurs to assess habitats in the winter through the use of plant and habitat identification. The assessment of vegetation type and condition in the winter is equally as important as in the summer and can provide indicators of species diversity. There will be an element of botanical identification, especially of plants in their vegetative state, and also some important bryophytes. You will spend plenty of time in the field putting your newfound knowledge into practice. We will spend as much time as possible outside looking at vegetation in the lovely countryside surrounding the venue where we will be looking at complex “real-world” habitats.

There will also be opportunities to use a range of computer programmes to investigate vegetation data, and opportunities to explore vegetative keys.

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

• A knowledge of how the NVC works and how it corresponds with other vegetation classification systems.
• Use of indicator species in the NVC.
• Using NVC to interpret ecological processes.

Who Should Attend? – Students, Rangers, Early career consultants, ecologists and botanists.

Knowledge Level – Intermediate. Level descriptors can be found on the following webpage: Natural History Framework and Course Level Descriptors

Prior Knowledge – Knowledge and understanding of botanical identification skills (e.g. FISC Level 3) and surveys would be beneficial for this course.

PLEASE NOTE: 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. Please see the ‘What’s Included’ section for information on accommodation and meals.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached.

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

Philip Wilson

Philip Wilson has been a freelance vegetation scientist, studying Britain’s plants and vegetation, since 1991. His PhD focused on the ecology and conservation of the arable flora and he worked with Plantlife for several years on some of our rarest plants. He also manages a small farm in East Devon, but enjoys travelling around the country.

Please arrive in time for the course to start promptly at 10:00am on both days.
There will be a one-hour lunch break during the day. If you have not purchased an accommodation booking option, Lunch is not included so please bring your own packed lunch. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be provided.
The course will finish at 17:00pm on both days.

Both days will be spent in the field.  There will be a brief introductory session in the lab and a short session on what to do with data after it has been collected in the field.

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  Expert Tuition

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you continue to build and develop 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 and 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.

Accommodation and Meals

We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

For courses runs at Field Studies Council Centres, there may be the option to book accommodation with your course. If accommodation is available, there will be two booking options:

• Non-Resident
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)

If you choose a Non-Resident booking, this includes course tuition and refreshments (tea and coffee) only. Please arrive by 10 am on the first day of the course for the first session.

If you choose a Resident (Sole Occupancy) booking, this includes two nights of accommodation with your own bedroom starting the night before the course, and meals throughout the course (including an evening meal on the night before the course through to a packed lunch on the last day of the course). You can check in from 4 pm on the day before the start of the course.

If your booking has more than one person and you would like a shared room, please email [email protected] to inquire.

Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable. Please also note that bathrooms may be shared.

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 course

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
• Please bring your own refreshments & pack lunch
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors
• Hand lens (if you have one)
• Favourite identification guides

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.