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Conservation Research Institute

 

Project Developing Biodiversity Action Plans for Coton and Wandlebury Reserves, with Cambridge Past, Present and Future
Supervisors: Dr Cicely Marshall  and Professor David Coomes 

With this project we will develop Biodiversity Action Plans for Coton and Wandlebury reserves, working with Cambridge Past Present & Future. We are looking for an undergraduate student to join our working group, to contribute to the following areas of activity:

  • Gather together existing ecological datasets and recommendations for the reserves Contribute UK Habitat assessments, condition scoring and indicator species surveys for the reserves, managed as a GIS database, towards a Biodiversity Baseline  
  • Assess the performance of the Cambridge Biodiversity Metric as a way to quantify and report against ecological value for investment; as compared with other measures of biodiversity value, such as species richness, taxon identity and community distinctiveness, and connectivity  
  • Work with Cambridge Past Present & Future, and other stakeholders, to draft a Biodiversity Action Plan and Implementation Plan, articulating principles, actions, and commitments of importance to the community, and informing the management of the sites.  

The studentship would be suitable for a student with a keen interest in ecology and conservation, looking to develop their practical field skills in habitat survey and taxon identification, as well as data management, analysis, reporting, project implementation and stakeholder engagement skills. The student would be supported in the field by the project supervisors and other taxon specialists as relevant. For fieldwork, prior experience in taxonomic identification, or a willingness to develop these skills, would be an advantage, as would access to a bicycle or other transport.  

Location: Coton & Wandlebury reserves for fieldwork, David Attenborough Building (TBD) or a remote location of your choice for analysis and write up.